10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,062 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Jeep Gladiator electrical problems

electrical problem

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2020 Jeep Gladiator Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Nov 262023

Gladiator

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My clutch stopped working and was repaired under 19A recall. Now I am getting serv 4WD notices, my vehicle has gone limp and unknown fluid leaked the day after repaired. Vehicle has been in the shop over 5 times since clutch stopped working 26 Nov 2023. Consistently breaking down or getting service light failures.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #23

Aug 062023

Gladiator

  • miles
My entire Electrical system failed, the engine wouldnt start, the warning flashers would not work, the vehicle wouldnt go into neutral to be pushed. So I was blocking an intersection for about 2 hrs waiting on a tow truck to tow it to the nearest dealership. The dealership was unable to reproduce the problem just wants to replace the end result of a 150 amp fuse block blown at $400 for a $50 part. I attached what was actually going on with the vehicle in PDF format I researched on Gladiator forum and Jeep Garage forums and found this is a problem for many jeep models with the dual battery system but nobody had an answer as to why it happens other than something shorted out.

- New Smyrna Beach , FL, USA

problem #22

Aug 012022

Gladiator

  • miles
I have had my vehicle in for the same problem at least 6 times, since August of 2022. The battery keeps dying. This is a know problem with this model. If it is not started for more than one day it will not start. The dealerships have replaced the batteries, main and auxiliary, multiple times, they have replaced the cable and wires, connectors and alternator. It still happens and no aftermarket parts have been installed related to the electrical system. I am missing two of the receipts to upload at the moment.

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #21

Apr 222023

Gladiator

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

4/21. Check Engine Light Shifter locked in place. Lost Power Steering. Started out as CHECK ENGINE Light then added ABS light. I Cleared it. Week later, Friday, 4/21. Check Engine Light 4/22 - Saturday AM, Drive to Goodwill and landfill While in 18 truck line at landfill, I put in PARK, Trans locked itself in PARK. Radio and Speedo Blipped. Then Orange Check Engine light, Orange ABS light, two Orange Traction Control lights. Orange Service 4WD light. Service Shifter Message, RED Brake light n dash. There was another ABS Message, but I failed to get it. Turned off engine, I restarted and was able to get in gear, NO POWEER STEERING. Got through line. Drove home with all check lights and no power steering. Engine and Trans Temps were good, oil pressure was good, Battery showing 14.1 while driving. At home, scanned for codes. In this order U0121 U1110 U1120 U11BC U12AB P057C (Brake Pedal Sensor Circuit Low) U11BF U0001 High Speed Can Communication Bus P0000

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #20

May 222023

Gladiator

  • miles
Lost Power Steering, 5/22/2023. 4 Orange Check lights came on. 1)Tried to start the car remotely, with secondary key. No start. 2)Tried again standing next to it. No start. 3)Got in and pushed brake and started car. All the same check lights came on that did 4/19. Engine, ABS and 4WD. Maybe another Shifter warning. 4)Pulled out of driveway with ? the error lights on. Lost power steering 100 yards in the neighborhood. 5)U Turn with no PS, back to house, let it sit all day till 3PM while waiting for towing. Did not scan, Did not disconnect battery. 3PM, Came home from work, started the car with remote. Only 1 check engine light and now power steering is back. Delivered to Jeep Dealer, Hetrick Jeep Dodge, Elton, MD. by tow truck.

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #19

Feb 102023

Gladiator

  • miles
While I was driving on the freeway, suddenly all of my warning lights came on and my windshield wipers and the power steering went out. It was very difficult to pull over with the power steering out and stop. This is the second time this has occurred in 6 months. The first time this happened I had it towed to the dealer, they found nothing wrong but when I went to pick it up it happened again before I left the dealer. The service manager kept it and they ran more codes and thought they resolved the problem, but the same thing happened again when I went to pick it up. Finally, they gave me a loaner vehicle and after a month the Gladiator was finally fixed. The dealer said it was a defective wiring harness. Now the same problem is back. This is a serious safety issue due to the power steering going put and locking up the steering wheel. I have read many, many complaints from other Jeep Gladiator owners of the same issue.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #18

Jan 112023

Gladiator

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on a main road, in a rural area, the "Electronic Stability Control Maintenance" alert was enabled. It was a cold January morning and approximately 35 degrees at 9am. My tire pressure alerts were also activated and I presumed that the Stability Control alert was due to a potential flat tire, not just a cold morning pressure imbalance, which happens frequently when there are drastic swings in temperature. Less than a minute later, the "Electronic Throttle Control Maintenance Required" alert flashed and I lost the ability to accelerate. I was in an area that was going uphill and no shoulder. Due to my momentum, I was able to get halfway up the hill and pull over into a residential driveway. I shut the car off, waited a minute and turned it back on. I attempted to pull back onto the road and noticed that a) I could still not accelerate and b) There was a large oil truck barreling up the hill and I would be a potential hazard and accident if I pulled in front of it. I then began to notice that smoke was billowing from under the hood. I turned back into the residential driveway and immediately shut off the vehicle and called for roadside assistance. The vehicle was taken by flatbed to the nearest dealership to be diagnosed. They ended up determining that there was moisture in the oil and claimed that it was common in this model year. They flushed the systems and gave me an oil change, which was was due for anyhow. The dealership kept the vehicle overnight and said they wanted to assess how it would perform in cold temperatures before returning my vehicle. I am very concerned that this is happening so soon. It is the first new vehicle I have ever purchased for myself and I do not take it off-road and live 10 miles from work, travelling on rural roads and recreational highway travel three-four times a year.

- Buskirk, NY, USA

problem #17

Jan 062023

Gladiator

  • miles
The ESS/Auto Start/Stop system is unavailable rendering the remote start for cold weather unavailable. This issue also effects the reliability of the battery and electrical supply as a whole potentially leading to unexpected engine stoppages and stranding due to a no start scenario. The issue is widespread and well documented among 2018-Current Jeep Rangler models as well as 2020-Current Jeep Gladiator models. Causes are reported by dealers ranging from premature failure of the start/stop auxiliary battery to TPM/distribution box failures. My vehicle has experienced this issue twice with the first occurrence shortly after purchase. With many of the effected vehicles reaching the end of their warranty period, the number of vehicles circulating on highways will increase creating a safety hazard. Further, the failure of this system may create an EPA compliance issue as the ESS/Auto Start/Stop system is required equipment to meet EPA fuel economy standards for the fleet.

- Oak Grove, MN, USA

problem #16

Dec 042022

Gladiator

  • miles
I recently purchased this vehicle used, while driving the lights go off and the vehicle shuts off while moving. Not displaying any warning indicators at the time. Luckily vehicle is a manual, so I have been able to coast to a stop safely. Situation could be very dangerous. Once off the vehicle will go dead and won't restart. After a few moments vehicle will restart until the problem occurs again without warning. Jeep/chrysler has obvious issues with this vehicle and has not done any recalls. Even though they have documented occurrences with similar vehicles.

- Crystal River, FL, USA

problem #15

Oct 152022

Gladiator

  • miles
Jeep turns off/power off/ dies when driving any speed. I was driving in freeway 60+mph and it just died. I took to dealer on january 2022 and took 2 weeks to figure out a electrical? wiring? hardness was bad. It was good until now October 2022. It died again like the first time. Only way to power it up is getting a battery jump. This is same issue as the first time. It was not cheap and I seen online that alot of other gladiators are having same issue.im about to take it again to dealer this week

- La Puente , CA, USA

problem #14

Jul 282022

Gladiator

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been having problems with my steering 17 thousand miles after I bought this 56k dollar jeep. sometimes the steering wheel locks to the left or to the right when pulling out of parking lots.than it also pulls to the left in the high way. My motor mounts also are not good any more because they make noise and my motor rocks back and forth.The shock absorbers all 4 also need replacement. This jeep is steering and handling is very unstable and I don-??t feel safe driving it. My starter needs replacement for the 3rd time. my gas consumption is 10 miles to the gallon!!!!my day running lights don-??t turn on and this issue with lights and electrical problems been with this jeep since 7k miles after I bought! If you leave this jeep on you can take the keys with you it some one can just drive off no keys necessary. my speakers are sounding scratchy for a long time and no repairs to this yet. 35k miles driven, my jeep has been at the dealership for several times getting all kinds of repairs.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #13

Jul 182022

Gladiator

  • miles
I need help with the service shifter message, the truck get un drivable after this message blinks three times, is so annoying bc you loose power steering control and the truck don-??t go up to 3000 rpm, please fix these Issues

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #12

May 042022

Gladiator

  • miles
Electrical system malfunction. Gladiator is burned down completely. Copart now has it under my insurance companies instruction. Large electrical fire. I took my vehicle into the dealer because the start stop feature stopped working. I received a call at the end of the day and was notified that both my batteries where bad. They replaced both under warranty and kept it over night for testing. Received a call the fallowing late morning informing my that my vehicle was repaired and was ready to be picked up. On my way home I was stopped at a light and noticed smoke coming out around the hood. I immediately pulled over and opened the hood. The electrical wire on the passenger side below the fuse panel were burning. I tried to put it out with a towel but was burned. I called 911 but by the time the fire department came it was too late. My Gladiator was completely burned down. This incident happened in front of a school as they where letting out. A police officer was there directing student to walk around the dangerous incident. The incident was inspected by the fire department and was confirmed in a report that it started in the engine compartment. No warning lamp or messages.

- Sanger, CA, USA

problem #11

Aug 132020

Gladiator

  • miles
Ever since I got this vehicle it-??s been a roller coaster. As I-??m driving the vehicle home from the dealership the vehicle displays on the screen that it-??s going to shut off. I pulled over immediately on the side of the road and the vehicle turned off while in drive at 0 MPH! I put my emergency signals on and waited 15-30 minutes before the car would let me turn it back on! I drove home and as soon as I-??m pulling into the driveway the car literally shuts off in reverse with no signs foreshadowing this! It was so embarrassing. What a birthday surprise. I had to call triple A to come tow it back to dealership. They had to change battery. Which is about 1 hour away at least depending on traffic. Picked up the vehicle sometime that week. The beginning of the next week as I-??m driving to work the vehicle displays on the dash that the engine is overheating! I notice the vehicle starting to smoke so I pulled over immediately. I missed work that day. I had to call another tow to the dealership. The manager said that the truck would be in the shop for a month at least because they have to order a new engine! They gave me a terrible rental. I got the truck back around a month later. Months go by random creaking occurs periodically. I go to the dealership and they say I need new ball joints. Item is on back order so they-??ll let me know when it arrives. Months go by start/stop system doesn-??t work anymore. I go to the dealership and they keep it for a few days and don-??t end up fixing the problem but schedule an appointment for next month. Appointment comes and they fixed start/stop system supposedly but every now and then it stops working. Months go by airbag signal turn on. I go to the dealer and they said they fixed something but needed to order a part. I am waiting on their call for that part now as well. This has truly been a crazy experience. I would never recommend anyone to go to a Fred beans dealership like I made the mistake of doing. 70k for such a failure.

- Bensalem , PA, USA

problem #10

Jan 072022

Gladiator

  • miles
I am getting a "service shifter" error and then my power steering goes out and the vehicle goes into "limp mode" This has happened at 70mph on the highway causing me to almost lose control of the vehicle around turns and slow down to an unsafe speed. I have taken it to multiple dealers that could not duplicate the issue but could see codes in the system. The vehicle is once again in the shop now and they are trying to blame everything but the Jeep itself. I know a few other Gladiator owners this has happened to.

- Ruskin, FL, USA

problem #9

Jan 052022

Gladiator

  • miles
First, my secondary battery died 1.5 yrs into ownership and completely disabled my vehicle at a stop light, which left me nearly getting slammed into multiple times from the rear at an extremely busy intersection. There was no warning that the battery was failing -?" no -??idiot light-?? -?" and a fire truck had to assist in getting me to safety. I was stranded for 3.5 hrs awaiting a tow to the dealership, who kept it for a week before it was replaced. Secondly, I have had no less than 5 terrifying -??death wobble-?? incidents to date with the truck when traveling on the freeway at high speeds of 65 - 75 mph. My truck is stock from the factory with no modifications to suspension, tires, or anything, so this should NOT be happening. I stopped by a local dealership and was told that I would need the Fox steering dampener to fix this but no one seems to be able to asses my truck to rectify and replace it without forcing me to leave it for days or even a week or more, which I cannot do since I-??m in outside sales and this is my work truck. As per your website, I have discovered an existing recall on this same issue for the 2018 - 2019 Jeep Wrangler. Apparently, Jeep has carried forward this issue to their new Gladiators. This is an VERY DANGEROUS defect. This appears to have generated 91 reports as per this article: https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/08/jeep-addresses-gladiator-wrangler-steering-issue/ It is also addressed in this article: https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-2020-jeep-gladiator-has-a-major-steering-problem/ Lastly, I am on my second -??head-?? or -??stereo deck-?? and am still having multiple issues with the interface, which causes a random variety of heat/AC, lighting, stereo, phone, maps and auto start comfort settings (no heated steering or seat) and more. Local Jeep dealerships pretend to not know of any issues with a claim that there are no active recalls. I find this response appalling. I appeal to you for assistance for my safety. Thank you.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #8

Jun 012021

Gladiator

  • miles
Truck had very low power from day 1. Start/stop functionality mpcb short. Engine shacking and making noises. Engine burns oil. Trucks fuel economy is worse then a v12!I was getting 14 miles per gallon. The steering sucks it tilts to the right. Truck feels very unsafe to steer. The steering radius on ir is terrible. Trucks engine temperature goes up when is idling. Starter was staying on and hard to start. Engine would stall crossing the street. Engine stalled in the highway going 65 mph.it generated 10 check engine codes.the chassis of the truck is not completely welded trough. There is gaps all over it.over all the truck flimsy and unstable. The 4x4 was making noises. My oil would get black after 3k miles of driving it.If I was to leave truck on for it to get warm or cold any body could jump in and steal it, even if I have the keys. Truck started having issues at 7 k miles Ac didn-??t blow very cold air. Hot air from outside will come in the pit. At last truck broke down it stalled in the middle of a intersection, or would not no into neutral to push it out of the road. I was trying to start it but the stater was very sluggish and after 3 times of me pushing on the start button it started smoking, when I saw this I panicked and trying to make it stop from starting but the starter kept going and going until it kept smoking after 5 minutes it stoped, I open the hood and it smelled like a electrical fire, I was going to call the fire department but it ceased smoking, so I stopped and somehow got it to a safe place. Truck didn-??t want to start ever since. I never did any upgrades so that I would not void my warranty, I always did my oil changes and did my tire rotations. Never overloaded my truck or took it off-road. I never put a big trailer on it.I always washed it and took the best care of it as possible.mind you this all happened at 34 thousand miles and I am under new car warranty, even after all this I would still buy another Jeep gladiator

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #7

Apr 082021

Gladiator

  • miles
In motion; check engine light, sway at disconnect, shifter, speed control, no bus, service airbag, cooling fan began racing, shifted out of drive to neutral, fuel gauge malfunction reading empty, red light over temp gauge went on, erratic steering and braking ; very unnerving, went in to be fixed and after 2 1/2 weeks I received it back last Tuesday April 27th, and yesterday May 1st check engine light came back on, this time windshield wipers turned on and can't turn off, ABS light on again.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

problem #6

Apr 042021

Gladiator

  • 14,000 miles
The vehicle radio will experience a very loud popping sound through the base radio speakers as it appears to short out while at start up or driving. This is very startling and distracting to the driver and may result in an accident. The radio also loses time often, the vehicle has been to the dealership at least 13 times for this. Jeep cares advised me to get tsb ( technician service bulletin) # 08-015-21. This update was suppose to fix " everything " this was not the case. When at start up the radio went to a black screen and locked up for nearly a week. The next week it began to work again and then while backing out of my driveway the loud pop appeared again as the radio shorted out as it has been. A video of the locked up radio and information was sent to Jeep cares who dismissed these events saying to just take it to the dealership when it occurres. This is impossible as it only last about a minute when it shorts out with the startling pop sound. Jeep has not been able to fix these base radios since 2018 and now in 2021 my Jeep Gladiator is still unchanged, the supposed tsb fix has fixed nothing. The sudden startling loud sound has jarred me enough to nearly go out of my lane while on the highway as it is comparatively loud as a rifle being fired from the speakers. Please look into this safety concern as Jeep seems to be ignoring customers concerns on this issue. Thank you for your time.

- Livingston Manor, NY, USA

problem #5

Jun 012020

Gladiator

  • miles
Steering wanders left to right start stop battery won't charge rear defroster 1/3 works

- Laporte, TX, USA

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