10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
501 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Feb 182022

Gladiator

  • miles
1. Major electrical system intermittent failures, each incident progressively longer lasting and various malfunction warning lights/messages displayed in dash. 2. Loss of power steering while driving on three separate occasions within a 40 day period. First incident was loss of steering for only a few seconds. Second incident vehicle had to beame shut off and on multiple times before the computer reset and the vehicle drove fine. Third incident was catstrophic loss of electrical the system while driving, vehicle was pulled into middle turn lane where the engine died and would not start. Vehicle unable to start, shift, display hazard warning indicators etc. Vehicle displayed many errors and stated due to safety it would not be allowed to start without servicing. 3. Jeep has been at dealer three times. First incident, electrical malfunctioning was blamed on power step installation. Second incident was blamed on loose ground wire in engine bay. Third incident has yet to be determined by dealer. Vehicle is still at dealer, and there were approximately 73 computer DTC's pulled by the technicians that I was informed of. 4. Many various warning lamps and messages appeared on dash. Everything from shifter, engine, power steering, 4WD, no bus error, TPMS, electronic stability control, anti lock brakes, airbag system etc. These errors flickered on and off randomly before moving to next error displayed.

- Centerton, AR, USA

problem #26

Jan 192022

Gladiator

  • miles
I was exiting the freeway with a speed limit of 75 mph. On the off-ramp I lost control of the Gladiator. The front end wobble was so bad that I could not hold onto the steering wheel for fear of breaking my wrist. Instead I had to wrap my arms about the wheel in an attempt to stop the wobble. I was unable to keep the vehicle in my lane, and finally ended up in a large ditch next to the off ramp. What happened appears to be a problem with the Mopar 1.5" lift kit installed by the dealer. The kit was installed 8/17/2021. This incident occurred in Jan 2022, about 4,000 miles later. I had the kit installed and then inspected about a month later specifically to check for any loose bolts, and to double check the torque for the bolts. The CV bar in the front lost a the bolt on the passenger side, dropping the cross bar and resulting in total loss of control of the passenger side front tire. I felt very lucky not to have been injured, and not to roll the jeep. It took about 150 feet to stop the vehicle in the ditch. I am attaching a photo of the bar held in place after the accident using bungie cords. This was done just to get the bar off the road and allow for moving the vehicle. The mechanic was able to secure the cross bar with a new bolt. The original bolt and nut were not found. We speculate that either the bolt was not torqued correctly or might have been missing a lock washer. At any rate, potentially this could have resulting in much worse. If this happened just a few seconds earlier on the freeway, the damage and injuries could have been much worse. Now the vehicle is driving like new, after new bolt and alignment. However, I will be checking those bolts more frequently, particularly if I notice any extra play in the steering. Before this happened, the play in the steering had increased. I thought I just needed an alignment, but it was much worse than that. Really I would think this cross bar needs redesign to ensure it can't break loose.

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #25

Feb 032022

Gladiator

  • miles
Driving at approx. 70 mph the vehicle steering became very difficult to control. I was unable to turn the steering wheel ( it felt like a vehicle without power steering at low speed). I slowed the vehicle down, I could feel the steering get easy as I neared a stop. After stopping at a stoplight and resuming the vehicle drove normally. The vehicle was never shut off.

- Muscatine, IA, USA

problem #24

Jan 052022

Gladiator

  • miles
Transmission is very clunky and jerky especially at low speed or when little input is applied to the gas and or if you are switching between brakes and gas in traffic. Transmission feels very hesitant. The steering isn-??t terrible at low speeds but at highway speeds the vehicle wanders left and right at random. I have to put it a lot of micro movements with the steering wheel in order to keep it straight.

- Dalton, GA, USA

problem #23

Jan 272022

Gladiator

  • miles
The "death wobble." When driving over 55mph even the slightest bump will set off a violent chain reaction of vibrations. This causes unsafe driving conditions and loss of control. The only way to regain control is to quickly slow down to less than 55mph and at highway speeds this is extremely dangerous. Jeep has failed to fix this and wont even acknowledge that it is an issue.

- Yarmouth , ME, USA

problem #22

Jan 042022

Gladiator

  • miles
In January 2021, my 2021 Jeep Gladiator Overland became unstable at normal freeway speeds (60-75 mph) on many occasions. The slightest bump or surface irregularity stimulates a violent and sustaining side-to-side vehicle shudder/vibration from the front suspension that was very extreme that lasted for over 2 minutes or until the vehicle slowed to around 60 mph; where stable vehicle behavior restored. This extreme instability and needed hard braking creates a serious driving hazard. I have taken it to 2 separate dealers who cannot find any issue and are unwilling to investigate unless it happens in their presence even with video proof. I have also taken to a tire shop and had the tires re-balanced and put on a road force machine. The tire shop found no issues with the tires or balancing. This started at about 23,000 miles and occurs more as the temperatures drop. This failure mode is severe, occurs without warning, is not detectable until it occurs and is very frightening. My Jeep has stock, factory wheels and factory tires in good balance with no visible or abnormal tread wear. This is a dangerous condition that needs immediate correction. A 1 year old vehicle with 23,000 miles in excellent condition, no accident history and no modifications should not be doing this. Side note; I did have to have the engine replaced after 11 months of ownership and the Jeep came from the factory with cracked spark plugs and had the spark plugs replaced after 1 week of ownership. This is an ongoing issue with no resolution.

- Schertz, TX, USA

problem #21

Apr 282021

Gladiator

  • miles
The vehicle auto stops when the steering wheel is turned, in direct conflict with owner-??s manual. The owner-??s manual specifies that -??Steering angle beyond threshold-?? will prevent an auto stop, but preventing the auto stop is the opposite of initiating the event. Furthermore, the instrument cluster never presents a -??STOP/START READY-?? message which is the first necessary condition for an auto stop. This issue creates a serious safety hazard, as the vehicle presents incorrect information to the driver and the vehicle unexpectedly stops in traffic which confuses and distracts the driver. The unexpected / wanted stop in heavy traffic could cause a rear-end collision leading to serious injury or death. The malfunction was reproduced and confirmed by multiple service personnel, who expressed safety concerns. The malfunction was also recreated by 4 independent mechanic shops and documented as a safety concern. However, an FCA Technical Advisor (TA) claimed that the vehicle is -??operating as designed-??. This portion of the vehicle-??s Auto Start / Stop System is NOT operating as designed and documented in the owner-??s manual. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle, as this is one of numerous hardware / software malfunctions plaguing the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

problem #20

Jan 112022

Gladiator

  • miles
When at highway speeds, hit a bump in the road and it causes a "death wobble".

- Talbott, TN, USA

problem #19

Jan 082022

Gladiator

  • miles
At highway speeds this vehicle wanders constantly. Keeping it in lane is more than a full time job. Windy conditions and or vehicle passing is a white knuckle experience. Looking at any of the jeep gladiator forums, this condition is a continuing condition / concern.

- Derry, NH, USA

problem #18

Jan 062022

Gladiator

  • miles
Multiple incidences of death wobble at higher speeds... Primarily on interstate after going over minor defects in road... overpass, etc... Getting more frequent.. requires slowing way down to 40 mph to correct.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #17

Nov 042021

Gladiator

  • miles
From when I picked up the new vehicle from the dealership there's been excessive "play" in the steering wheel. The vehicle drifts in its lane, requiring constant corrections. Issue is more pronounced on a highway versus city driving.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #16

Nov 172021

Gladiator

  • miles
Multiple incidents of violent death wobble at higher rates of speed between 60 and 75 mph. Vehicle must be rapidly brought to below 35 mph before it settles down. Seems to happen most often on the highway when going over and overpass where the seam between the road and the bridge is. Especially happens when the transition strip is diagonal to the path of travel. Vehicle has been at the dealership twice, first for sloppy and loose steering which they said they were unable to verify, that everything seemed fine. And most recently for the incidents of death wobble. Again the dealership claims they cannot replicate the issue. We feel the vehicle is unsafe to drive and will not pick it up until Chrysler has resolved the issue

- Dresden, OH, USA

problem #15

Nov 122021

Gladiator

  • miles
Rear Axle Assembly leaking fluid onto rear brake drum and wheel hub assembly, potentially rendering brakes non-functional in rear of vehicle. Excessive drift/play in steering at moderate speeds (40mph+) "Death Wobble" experienced at speeds ~70mph. Front wheels/suspension near total loss of control. Steering column violently shuddering, and required excessive force to control. Vehicle is dealer stock, completely unmodified, with only 9500 miles on it. Dealer currently has vehicle. Replaced rear axle assembly. Currently test driving to try and reproduce shaking in steering and front drivetrain.

- Calera, AL, USA

problem #14

Nov 132021

Gladiator

  • miles
8000 miles on new purchase, never off road, this Jeep goes into a violent shimmy/wobble 60-70 when in an ever so slight off of center steering angle on the freeway after crossing an expansion joint or other sharp road irregularity. Coasting down is the only way it goes away. Full Throttle acceleration out doesn't help, nor hard braking. It's NOT consistent, but it's happened to me three times in recent weeks as the summer temperatures subsided from the 80's F into the fall 40-60 F. Again, purchased brand new May 2021, tire pressures are proper, only driver, no other passengers or cargo. The onset is unexpected and frightening. The local Dodge / Jeep dealer where I have had one oil change seems to be unaware of a fleet issue or problem. It seems to be widely reported on various automotive blogs. Please help. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Burien, WA, USA

problem #13

Oct 012021

Gladiator

  • miles
The steering seems like it has a lot of play and when driving you have to do a lot of corrections to keep vehicle in its lane

- Riverview , FL, USA

problem #12

Oct 152021

Gladiator

  • miles
This is the second occurrence I-??ve had with this vehicle. While driving on a rural two lane highway, traveling approximately 60 miles per hour, my instrument cluster began to flash a -??Service Shifter-?? warning. This warning was simultaneously joined by a check engine light, random readings of speed, rpm fluctuations, activation of the un-commanded activation windshield wipers, and intermittent loss of power steering. Video of this incident is available from when it occurred in May 2021 at 9000 miles, and again in October 2021 at roughly 18000 miles. It is unknown what system or components are causing this error. The first occurrence was cleared by reseating of fuses, however this second occurrence cannot be resolved so far. The vehicle has been in the shop for 12 days so far with no end in sight. The repair problem has been elevated to FCA by the dealership. My primary safety concern with this incident is the sudden loss of power steering. Should this had occurred to a less experienced driver, roads in poor condition due to weather, or higher speeds, this incident certainly could result in a loss of vehicle control.

- Sullivan , WI, USA

problem #11

Sep 202021

Gladiator

  • miles
I purchased a new 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. The steering wanders at all speeds causing continuous correction of the steering wheel. The vehicle drifts and is potentially a safety hazard. The dealership does not acknowledge there is a problem with the 2021 model.

- Albemarle, NC, USA

problem #10

Sep 162021

Gladiator

  • miles
Leaking axle, transmission fluid leaking onto wheel and brakes. Was deemed unsafe to drive, parts on back order. Car swerves hard to right doesn-??t steer straight

- Oakland Park, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 262021

Gladiator

  • miles
The vehicle has a lot of wandering movement while driving. The undercarriage of the vehicle and the driveshaft/steering feels like it is loose. The vehicle is difficult to keep on a center point in the lane Inez; it drives like bumper bowling balls on a bowling lane. I have felt a few times that the vehicle was going to pull into the shoulder of the road or over the center line into oncoming traffic and have to maintain movement in the steering wheel almost constantly to keep it in the lane. I will be taking it in to the dealer for inspection but it only has a few hundred miles on it and I felt it move like that from the first full day I owned it. I brought it home with 27 miles on it. No warning lamps, messages or alarms. Windshield fogs up considerably in the rain and the defroster only makes it partially clear. Window gets condensation on it from the defroster so it fogs the window anyway. Tried multiple settings and temperatures to resolve, even opening the windows and still difficult to clear windshield of excessive moisture when no external precipitation.

- Hampshire, IL, USA

problem #8

Sep 152021

Gladiator

  • miles
No single incident to report. Vehicle needs constant re-steering while at highway speeds. Vehicle drifts constantly and needs constant adjustment to stay on road. Have had the vehicle back to the Dealer two times for repairs. Dealer says no fault found. But does agree that there is a defect. Says best case is to wait for a recall on situation. Am an unhappy customer.

- Lakemore, OH, USA

Read the next 7 complaints »