8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
1,450 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (12 reports)
  2. new steering box or brace (2 reports)
  3. adjustment needed in steering top cover (1 reports)
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2020 Jeep Gladiator steering problems

steering problem

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2020 Jeep Gladiator Owner Comments

problem #15

Apr 282020

Gladiator Rubicon V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25 miles

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

Wow. This is unbelievable to have this problem with a new Jeep with only 25 Miles... The wind will get you killed in this truck.

It's a bad problem. Get this solved SOON and call us in for a recall... Cool looking truck, but very dangerous.

- Damon S., Carroll, OH, US

problem #14

Dec 062019

Gladiator Rubicon 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles

Since I bought this Jeep Gladiator, the steering has been horrible. It wanders all over the road at highway speeds and feel at time almost uncontrollable. My wife and daughter will not drive the Jeep because they think it is dangerous. Its a 55,000 dollar brand new vehicle, it shouldn't feel dangerous in any way! FCA needs to do something about this before they have deaths on their hands. My Gladiator also idles really rough and seems to struggle while driving it. I have the stock tires on it and live in the flattest state in the union, the Jeep shouldn't down shift as much as it does. I am ready to get rid of it and buy something else at this point! This is how pissed off I am about paying this much for a brand new truck that seems like a lemon!

- Michael M., Saint Amant, US

problem #13

May 122020

Gladiator Rubicon

  • Automatic transmission
  • 960 miles

This is the second time my Gladiator has been back for steering related issues. The first was drifting to the right which was corrected by adjusting the toe (at 412 miles). Today I brought it in again because at highway speed the steering needs constant correction to stay in the lane. The dealer indicated that the front end alignment was in factory specs but the tires were a few pounds over so perhaps that was the problem. I only got to drive about 55 mph on the way home but the problem still exists.

My old 2009 Wrangler Unlimited has never had any such steering issues and still tracks straight at 110k. There is obviously a problem that maybe JEEP (FCA) has yet to acknowledge because there are numerous videos/blogs listing complaints very similar to mine and also numerous complaints filed with the NHTSA. A company, Synergy Mfg, has come up with a novel solution due to demand for a fix so apparently there is a problem.

- Craig P., Stuart, FL, US

problem #12

May 012020

Gladiator Rubicon V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 800 miles

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

Within the first week of buying my new 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon I noticed this problem. Whenever am driving 45 plus miles per hour the steering wheel slack is noticeable where it requires you to hold with two hands. The Jeep also tends to drift left or right on its own. My wife stated it seems as if a drunk driver is driving the vehicle when she followed me home.

Driving on the highways and having to pass a semi truck it feels scary due to the steering wheel play and having to also fight from keeping the truck from drifting side to side. I hope FCA really looks into this issue since it not just me but serval Jeep Gladiator and JL owners that are experiencing this issue. I know Synergy Makes a product to improve this known issue. I believe FCA should recall this known problem and have it replaced.

- chris89a, Yuma, US

problem #11

Aug 152020

Gladiator Rubicon 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

I have a hard time driving the vehicle STRAIGHT. Steering wheel is very loose. Purchased the vehicle from the dealership show floor with a leveling kit pre-installed. Vehicle was hard to control, caused mild dizziness / motion sickness like feeling. Dealership sent the vehicle to be repaired off site where the lift was installed to "repair the issue". A part was replaced (who knows what part), vehicle did drive a LITTLE better, and was tighter (slightly easier to control) - less fight back/steering. But still not feeling 100% about the vehicle drive.

- Elizabeth G., Houston, US

problem #10

Oct 242019

Gladiator Rubicon 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,456 miles

Hope Jeep will send out a notice to fix this issue.

- Sheldon V., Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #9

Sep 112019

Gladiator Overland 3.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

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

I have had it to the dealer once. They said everything was to spec.

- Larry M., Stone Mountain, US

problem #8

Nov 282019

Gladiator Rubicon 3.6L V6 With Max Tow

  • Automatic transmission
  • 750 miles

Actually had it in twice the week after Thanksgiving because the only two people that deal with steering were on vacation, even though I called before leaving for the 60 minute commute to the service department. Service manager took it around the block and informed me "It drives like a Jeep."

It wanders without resistance.

This is a serious steering issue and I have complained about this for 11 months and today I found a Service Bulletin #08-074-20 dated August 10, 2020 that involves replacing the steering gear and updating Electric Hydraulic Power Steering software.

Hopefully this is one fix Jeep can get done.

- Patrick G., Katy, US

problem #7

Sep 242020

Gladiator Sport 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11 miles

I really like this Jeep Gladiator and we test drove it up the street from the dealership and did not feel the loosy, goosy in the steering or the windy sound because we were not driving fast. However, when we left the dealership and got on the highway, at about 55 I could feel the swaying of the truck and it took some adjustment in the steering. The higher the speed the worst it gets. The top cover also seems to be a problem. It's seems that being that the top is removable, which I will never take off, it feels as if the top not sealed. So it feels as the the wind is also taking the vehicle in a direction. The truck feels really light and that the veering and the wind will just blow the truck away.

Yesterday October 17th, 2020 it was very windy, and the vehicle was strongly pushing my truck to the left into the fast lane. I tried to keep it centered but it was so much play in the wheel to keep it straight. It really scared me because there was cars in the fast lane. I was in the middle lane. So I just got over to the slow lane so I could get off the the freeway. This is very dangerous, because my truck was veering into the fast lane and it seem like I had no control along with it being very windy. I believe also the removable top make the truck feel lighter and does not help with the steering, speed, and absolutely any windy conditions.

This really need to be addressed before someone gets into a very serious accident of which is none of the owners fault for so much play in the steering and it being off. The truck is feeling so light because of the removable tops that doesn't appear to be sealed. I will be taking this to the dealership because after taking it to the carwash the water came through the removable top as well. Lastly, I did look up the reviews on this truck, which didn't mention any issues, however I didn't see any complaints, until I search my complaint and issues with this beautiful truck. I pray we get enough complaints about this.

- Holly J., Sterling Heights, US

problem #6

May 152020

Gladiator Rubicon V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

Love love the vehicle except it has a mind of it's own when steering! It wanders from the day I picked it up at the dealership. Don't look over at your wife while driving or you could easily be in the other lane when you look back. It requires constant adjustments to the wheel to keep you in the lane. In heavy traffic or when pulling a trailer, it is honestly stressful.... can't believe it but I love the vehicle otherwise, I put up with it though it is not right! You shouldn't have to put up with that.

I had been in contact with Jeep Customer Care (wonderful lady that stayed in contact often and was very attentive) and did have the service bulletin performed on 1/4/21 which is when the steering gear came in. It didn't help and I am back in the queue. The dealer wants to drive it to see if I really have a problem and then said that he didn't have a fix right now from Jeep. My idea, how about pulling one of the steering gear boxes out of a good one and putting it in mine! I honest don't expect that nor does that solve the problem, just mine. I trust that Jeep will solve the issue. I have a son that came into town and drove the truck for a day and said no way! That thing is all over the road. How do you stand it? We will see how long I can stand it... I hope not much longer.

- Mark T., Timnath, US

problem #5

Jul 152020

Gladiator Mojave 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles

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

I recently purchased a JT Mojave and it seems “loose” on the highway. It wonders from left to right while the steering wheel is straight. These is my third Jeep, so I’m familiar with their performance, but it seems excessive. This is a safety issue and there have been several complains on the issue. FCA must correct.

- ice16house, Lithia, US

problem #4

Aug 042020

Gladiator Sport 3.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,200 miles

Had steering issues, started like all it wanted to do is pull to the right like it was an alignment issue but had the alignment done. Seemed fine at first but then it started to wonder in the lane. Have to keep correcting the steering to keep it on the road. Seems like the weather plays a part in it too. Noticed depending on the temp outside that the play in the wheel varies. Sometimes the steering will just pull hard to the right while trying to seesaw it back and forth in the line, almost causing you to go off the road. I have been talking to the dealership that I bought the jeep from but not sure what is going to be done about this. This is an accident that is waiting to happen. I have seen a video where a camera was mounted under the jeep to watch the steering box and components and from what i sees and the one with the video the steering box moves a little, this should not happen. Wondering if it will be fixed before it ends up causing a crash...

- Jamie B., Beaver City, US

problem #3

Aug 132020

Gladiator Sport S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,700 miles

Very unsettling and fatiguing in a new vehicle. Not sure what to do. Did not reveal on test drive.

- dockdatee, Panama City Beach, US

problem #2

Feb 152020

Gladiator Rubicon 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15 miles

Really like the Gladiator Rubicon except for the steering issue. The day we purchased the vehicle we test drove a Over Land and another Rubicon. The Over Land wandered pretty bad and I mentioned it to the salesman who was sitting in the back seat. He commented it was probably a low tire or something simple like that. I king of dismissed it and we made a deal on another Rubicon that had just come in on a truck, so we did not drive it before purchase.

We returned the following day to pickup the vehicle and had 140 miles to drive home. I realized after a few miles this Jeep was doing the same as the Over Land I drove. I was convinced by the time we got home there was an issue with the steering. I did some research on the web and found it is very common complaint on the Gladiators and JL's. I plan on getting it checked by local dealer when I take it in for first oil change, which is coming up pretty quick.

- Robert W., Sandia, US

problem #1

Feb 282020

Gladiator Sport 3.5L V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 5,500 miles

Jeep Gladiator wanders at freeway speeds. Must keep constantly correcting the steering to stay in a lane. Very tiring to drive.

- Gene B., Rockford, MI, US

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