Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Jeep Gladiator problems

Owners filed 484 complaints about the 2020 Jeep Gladiator with NHTSA between Jun 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (183).

Complaints
484
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system183
  2. Steering181
  3. Power train55
  4. Engine45
  5. Suspension32
  6. Visibility/wiper23
  7. Service brakes17
  8. Vehicle speed control11
  9. Structure11
  10. Exterior lighting11
  11. Fuel/propulsion system9
  12. Forward collision avoidance7
  13. Back over prevention4
  14. Seat belts3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201934
2020111
202136
202234
202344
202456
2025127
202642

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

183 reports2 fires1 related recall
“Instrument Panel Failure. The center LCD screen that displays speed, tachometer, oil temp, coolant temp, oil pressure, battery voltage, and transmission temps, fuel gauge, tire pressure readings, warning messages, and many other things just stopped working. This is obviously a safety risk and can cause an increased risk to safety and crashes, as it has been recalled on many other Jeep Gladiators and Wranglers. This screen started out working upon purchase, but would often have a digital background that would show up. The dealership it was purchased from informed us there was nothing wrong with the screen. It just stopped working and there is nothing on the display.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Electrical systemODI 11763004

Steering

181 reports2 crashes
“TRUCK WOBBLIES WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE STEERING TAKES TWO TO THREE INCHES TO TURN THE STERRING WHEEL BEFORE THE TRUCK STARTS TO TURN. NOT RESPONSIVE AS IT WAS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 8, 2026SteeringODI 11742752

Power train

55 reports2 crashes4 fires4 related recalls
“My 2020 Jeep Gladiator has been experiencing transmission slipping, jerking at 20–30 mph, and rough shifting into Reverse, with diagnostic code P0733. An authorized Jeep dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the transmission problem matches Jeep’s Technical Service Bulletin regarding D-clutch failure. Despite confirming the defect and the need for repair, the dealership returned my vehicle without fixing it. I am concerned about the potential safety risks and request that NHTSA investigate this known issue and consider whether a safety recall is warranted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Power trainODI 11770698

Engine

45 reports1 crash3 fires
“On May 27, 2026 at approximately 11:00 PM, my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland (VIN: [XXX] ) suffered catastrophic engine failure during normal operation at 78,190 miles. The alternator seized, causing the harmonic balancer (crankshaft damper) to fracture. The broken balancer fell into the engine block, causing extensive internal damage requiring complete engine replacement at significant cost. This failure sequence points to a design and/or manufacturing defect in the OEM alternator and/or its mounting system on the 3.6L Pentastar V6. A properly designed alternator should not seize with enough force to fracture the harmonic balancer and deposit debris into the engine block under normal operating conditions. The vehicle was not involved in any accident or operator abuse. It was being driven normally with no prior warning — no dashboard lights, no unusual sounds, no prior related mechanical issues. I request NHTSA investigate whether this failure pattern is systemic across 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles and other 3.6L Pentastar V6 platforms, including the Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and Dodge Durango. Sudden complete engine failure at highway speeds is an immediate crash…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2026EngineODI 11740885

Suspension

32 reports
“the rear control arm welds have repeatedly broken on this 2020 jeep gladiator which creates a hazardous handling condition that may lead to a tragic accident. the local dealer, Hilltop Jeep in Richmond, CA and Stellantis Customer Service have passed the buck and said it isn't their responsibility and have referred us to a body shop to get the suspension repairs done. this seems like a manufacturing defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2025SuspensionODI 11672093

Visibility/wiper

23 reports
“Steering damper is affected by a recall and i have not received the recall. Causes truck to abruptly jerk left or right causing a lif e threatening matter to everyone one the road”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2025Steering, Visibility/wiperODI 11652247
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.