AI Damage2020 Jeep Gladiator: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator filed 484 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. The maker issued 664 service bulletins for this year. We found 7 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 484
- involving a crash
- 11
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 664
- YouTube repair videos
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 37% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 5% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 2% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 183 complaints (38% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 202.
- Steering: 181 complaints (37% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 49.
- Powertrain: 55 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 83.
- Engine: 45 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Suspension: 32 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 6 complaints
Drive: 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 484 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 183 | 0 | 202 |
| Steering | 181 | 2 | 49 |
| Powertrain | 55 | 2 | 83 |
| Engine | 45 | 1 | 33 |
| Suspension | 32 | 0 | 14 |
| Visibility | 23 | 0 | 40 |
| Service brakes | 18 | 6 | 6 |
| Structure | 11 | 0 | 72 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | 1 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 0 | 4 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 0 | 5 |
| Backover prevention | 4 | 0 | 39 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 14 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was rear ended while stopped and the seat belts didnt lock causing injury to my face from hitting the steering wheel.
The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle had suddenly started to vibrate and shake. The contact stated that the vehicle was maintaining its lane but was lurching from left to right. No warnings illuminated.
I was driving on the highway going 80mph in 6th gear and my wife smelled something then the gears started grinding I put it in neutral as I was slowing down I was trying to get to the exit which was about 1/4 mile away so I put the truck in 4th and thats when the transmission exploded sending fire and transmission…
I had no warning lights or system alerts on vehicle or Uconnect app. I stopped in the parking lot & put the Gladiator in Park, I left the ignition on. I got off truck & got a towel to clean interior.There are several spaces to vacuum.
A braking sensor failed on the Gladiator causing the ABS, 4WD, and cruise warning lights to become illuminated. The brakes then did not work properly causing an accident. The EDR report shows the ABS system was turned off as a result of the sensor.
I hit a guardrail at 70 mph on an interstate with the front right bumper and rolled the vehicle without any airbags deploying.
Second incident occurred while driving to town and a strong brake burnt smell was occurring, when I attempted to stop again brake pedal went way down again which this time I had time to regain control from hitting gas pedal and force stop, inspected brakes and front brakes were extremely hot and smoking as if brakes…
The vehicle was in motion when 4wd and abs warning light came on to indicate failure. I hit the brakes and nothing happened. The vehicle did not stop and caused an accident when I could not stop at a red light. Consumer is currently waiting on diagnosis and no repairs have been made.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 107 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 5% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Gladiator has 110 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 484, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Blank XZ1 Warranty Extension Customers may experience the following
SYMPTOM: ● A blank electronic vehicle information center (EVIC) in the IPC. No information is displayed for the fuel level, temperature gauge, odometer, outside temperature, PRNDL and optional digital speedometer Fig…
- Flash
Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● C147B-92…
- The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward…
The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement. The Tech May Find Damaged and/or Worn Transmission Output Shaft Splines (850RE…
- Passive Entry O/S Dr Handle Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star…
- ID-25-11 Rev
C Aluminum Filiform Corrosion Warranty Policy and Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) Pre-Approval Process - ALL Vehicles
- D-25-15 Rev
C Aluminum Filiform Corrosion Warranty Policy and Vehicle Digital Imaging (VDI) Pre-Approval Process - ALL Vehicles
- EMISSION RECALL – NORTH AMERICA Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Lamp 16C The instrument panel cluster…
EMISSION RECALL – NORTH AMERICA Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Lamp 16C The instrument panel cluster on about 32,587 of the above vehicles may have an inoperable check engine/malfunction indicator lamp (CEL/MIL)…
- Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Blank XZ1 Warranty Extension Customers may experience the following
SYMPTOM: ● **A blank electronic vehicle information center (EVIC) in the IPC. No information is displayed for the fuel level, temperature gauge, odometer, outside temperature, PRNDL and optional digital speedometer…
- ID-26-37 (XZ1) Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) - Select 2018 - 2020 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2020 Jeep…
- D-26-17 (XZ1) Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) - Select 2018 - 2020 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and 2020 Jeep…
- Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Blank XZ1 Warranty Extension Customers may experience the following
SYMPTOM: ● A blank IPC display. No information is displayed for the speedometer, fuel level, temperature gauge, odometer, outside temperature and PRNDL. NOTE: The speedometer and tachometer continue to function…
- CORE – HEATER
NHTSA lists 664 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Rebuilding A Wrecked 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubiconamount per author: 9,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Rebuilding a wrecked 2020 Jeep Gladiator (part 6)
- PCV VALVE REPLACEMENT JEEP GLADIATOR 2020
- Rebuilding A Wrecked 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon It is finally time!
- Rebuilding A Wrecked 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Part 1 | Carrosserie Prisme
- REBUILDING A WRECKED 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR IN 10 MINUTES
- REBUILDING A WRECKED 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR IN 10 MINUTES
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Jeep Gladiator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, powertrain. Total complaints: 484. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (16%), infotainment or screen glitches (9%), vibration (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator?
NHTSA lists 664 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Jeep Gladiator from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.