Jeep Gladiator Complaints (2021)

292 consumer complaints on file.

#11634476January 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle and turning the ignition, the vehicle displayed signs of electrical power but failed to start as expected. The contact stated that the message "Service transmission - Continue to drive - Do not shift or turn the vehicle off until you reach your desired location as you may not be able to shift again" was displayed and the contact was unable to disengage the Accessory mode. The service transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634211January 5, 2025
STEERING
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding a serious safety issue with my 2021 Jeep Gladiator (VIN: [XXX] ). On Sunday, [XXX], while my wife was driving the vehicle on the highway near our home in southeast Boston, she experienced intense and violent shaking that did not subside until she slowed down and pulled over. She was alone at the time, and the event was frightening and could have led to a severe accident. Upon researching the issue, she discovered it is commonly referred to as the "Death Wobble," a phenomenon widely reported online and even acknowledged by Jeep dealers, including Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Columbia. Following the incident, I contacted our local Jeep dealer, Best Jeep in Plymouth, MA, to have the vehicle inspected. Their service team identified the issue and replaced the following parts: •Damper Steering •Bolt Shoulder Square Neck •Nut Hex Flange Lock •Bolt Hex Flange Head •Nut Hex Nut Coned Washer When I inquired with Service Advisor Matthew Preston about warranty coverage, he informed me that the repairs were not covered because the vehicle is outside the warranty period. However, he also mentioned that this problem is common in other Jeeps, further emphasizing its systemic nature. From my research, I learned that Jeep has acknowledged this issue in the past. A proposed settlement in 2022 extended warranty coverage for specific models, including certain Jeep Gladiators, to cover the replacement of front suspension dampers. This settlement highlights the widespread nature of the "Death Wobble" and the manufacturer’s recognition of the problem. Numerous Jeep owners have reported similar issues, and the phenomenon is so concerning that it has been the subject of widespread media. I firmly believe that it should be addressed through a factory recall. A vehicle as recent as our 2021 Jeep Gladiator should not be experiencing such critical safety issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633864January 3, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The third brake light on the Gladiator is a known issue. When it goes out, there is no warning on the dash or error code. The entire light has to be replaced (LED) vs just a bulb. This is a hazard as the third brake light can go out and no one will know until the vehicle is in an accident. Wasn't the third brake light mandatory equipment since 1985?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632223December 23, 2024
STEERING
I purchased my Gladiator in May of 2021 and the "Death Wobble" started in December of the same year. I took it to the dealership that I purchased my Jeep from and they told me that "it was due to the overly aggressive tires that were on the jeep". I told them that I purchased the jeep from them with those tires on it! Since then I have had out of pocket repairs totaling in excess of $3000.00. The "wobble" has been reproduced for them but that was the answer I got. The wobble happens every month or so but definitely happens when I hit a bump in the road or when I hit 60 mph and there is a deviation in the road (i.e. a divit, curve or sometimes even if I change lanes). The wobble is so bad that I have to immediately brake and drop my speed below 25 mph to eliminate the wobble. This has been a safety hazard where I have had cars behind me almost rear-end me because I had to slow down or I would lose control of the entire car. I don't drive my car for any distances longer than 10 miles from my home.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628537December 3, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving my 2021 Jeep Gladiator and stopped at a red light at a busy intersection. When the light changed to green, I removed my foot from the brake and attempted to go through the intersection. Instead of moving forward the truck engine turned off and would not restart. As this was a busy intersection this was an extremely dangerous situation for both myself and other motorists. A local police officer assisted me in pushing the truck out of the intersection. The truck then had to be towed to a Jeep dealership. After an initial diagnosis at the dealership the issue was not readily apparent, and the dealership could not get the truck to start. After multiple diagnosis attempts the dealership believes the issue is a faulty Radio Frequency Hub Module, Fuse, Relay, and Auxiliary Battery. The truck is still at the dealership awaiting the parts so it is not clear if this will correct the truck turning itself off. Also, there were no warning signs or indicator lights on when this occurred. One final note, this model truck is known to have an issue with a leaking rear window. My rear window did leak and was replaced under warranty. I have learned that the Radio Frequency Hub Module is located in the rear wall of this truck below the rear window.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626150November 19, 2024
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the DEF tank message was displayed, notifying the contact to “See the Dealer”. Additionally, there was a message indicating 200 miles were remaining before the vehicle would fail to start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the tank and sensor needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 165.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625630November 15, 2024
SUSPENSION, STEERING
Just purchased this vehicle from Anderson Nissan of Lake Havasu City, AZ with 4759 miles. After leaving the city and driving on [XXX] heading [XXX], I immediately encountered fairly serious speed wobbles at 70 mph after driving over the bridges for drainage under the highway. Immediately slowed to 60 mph to stop wobble. This occurred approximately 8 times on [XXX] after driving over these bridges or irregular pavement. Nearly home, I was involved in an extremely serious speed wobble at 70 - 75 mph in an area of [XXX] in [XXX]. A slight vibration occurred then an extremely violent speed wobble ensued. Cars in this area drive at very high speeds. Fortunately, I was able to get the car to the side of the road without getting hit or wrecking. I barely kept control of it and very surprised I did not wreck with the other cars. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624949November 13, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to wobble. The contact's husband researched the failure and determined that the vehicle was experiencing the death wobble. The vehicle was uncontrollable while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, where it was determined that the steering damper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure. The contact called the recall center and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622553October 29, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN 3rd brake light has faulty solder and keeps going out. Had it replaced under warrenty and now needs replaced again. Out of warrenty. Needs to be a recall on this. Safety issue when 3rd brake light does not work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619871October 15, 2024
POWER TRAIN
2021 Jeep Gladiator at 43K miles brought in for oil change. Lube tech noticed that the right rear axle seal was leaking fluid with fluid sprayed over the inner wheel and nearby assembly. FSA Customer Satisfaction Notification states to reference CSN 26A and that the recommended remedy is to replace the right rear shaft. If not repaired/replaced, this could lead to damage to the transmission. I contacted my local dealership who informed me that my vehicle had no open recalls, even though Jeep forums state the problem is affecting thousands of Gladiators like mine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619118October 10, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
the car will not accelerate or maintain speed. it is apparently a bad gear position sensor which was recalled on subsequent models however is not listed as a recall on this model. this clutch had just been replaced after a 2 year long wait for a recall fix
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618158October 4, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618080October 4, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Vehicle only has 18000 mile, and is garaged. The third brake light has failed. In reviewing this on line, it appears to be a common problem. No reason for just a simple device to fail prematurely due a lack of durability testing that is available. This is a safety issue in a world of bad drivers out there.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613962September 11, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle has about 17,000 miles. Both key fobs are failing to connect with the vehicle. The batteries have been checked by the dealership to determine the fobs are in working order. Without having the fob work, I am unable to unlock my doors or start the engine. Thankfully, learnng my fobs were not connecting occured while in my garage at my home. However, if this occured while away from home, or at night, I would have been stranded with no access to drive the vehicle. My Gladiator will have to be towed to the dealership now to get this resolved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613178September 7, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Had seen that Chrysler had a recall for electrical for the dash cluster going on/black. It had just went completely black so I was unable to tell if vehicle was in gear, the speed of the vehicle. I went to the dealer and was told it was a known problem and the part was on national back order and would take over a month to receive. I went through Infotainment with the mileage and purchase/replaced on my own. I do still have the OEM part. FCS's # 30B Infotainment order #[XXX] ordered on 8/2/2024 at a cost of $1,148.59. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612570September 4, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The other day I went out to my truck and the battery was dead lights clicking and wipers going. It's the original battery so I assume that I needed a new one bought one put it in find a couple days and then went out in the morning and the battery was dead. Put in another new battery, same thing drove a few days and this morning the battery is dead. So something is draining my battery? I have not done anything to it since it was new no addition. There's a lot of form on the internet with similar issues concerned about what's draining my battery??? Just went out of warranty!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611506August 29, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
This vehicle has a repeating electronic problem involving the warning lights and function of abs, traction control, four-wheel drive system, forward collision warning, and both adaptive and normal cruise control. When the steering wheel is turned slightly right, like when navigating a highway curve, those warnings illuminate and the vehicle disables cruise control. It also has a lack of power due to what seems to be the traction control system activating. Also, the brake system has a shutter in the pedal and has reduced effectiveness for a few moments until the ABS and traction control systems stop function. I have taken the vehicle into a dealer, Larry H Miller CDJR in West Bountiful, Utah when it started to show this problem as I was leaving Portland. They replaced the front left ABS wheel speed sensor. This did not rectify the problem. I then took it to Gene's Chrysler in Fairbanks, Alaska upon my return home. That shop failed to warranty the repair, and charged additional diagnosis fees on top of correcting the Z96 high pressure fuel pump recall. They advised replacing the clock spring in the steering wheel that provides electrical connection to the buttons and is integrated in all of those safety systems. Prior Jeep models have had a consistent problem with the clock spring failing and a recall was issued due to affecting airbag deployment from the steering wheel. I am concerned that this clock spring related issue may lead to reduced braking effectiveness, loss of power at speed to react to traffic, and failure to deploy the airbag in an accident. The dealerships will not warranty this repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603745July 22, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear axle was leaking. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the "Rear Axle Locked" message was flashing on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact discovered an unknown recall for the rear axle fluid leak. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,080.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602928July 17, 2024
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle would not turn over, but the battery came on. The vehicle wouldn’t allow me to turn off the battery and stayed in the position while I waited for the tow truck. By the time the vehicle made it to the dealership they refused to do a diagnostic and attempted to charge me for battery replacement even though it was due to a car malfunction. While the care was glitching the dash displayed messages about the stability control module and transmission were out and malfunctioning. If I were to be driving, the vehicle would have shut down while I was driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602818July 16, 2024
POWER TRAIN, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES
My 2021 Jeep Gladiator received the 19A Clutch Recall in late June 2024. The recall was issued due to clutch pressure plates disintegrating, blowing a hole in the transmission housing, and causing vehicle fires. Upon return, my vehicle was unable to drive smoothly. After further investigation, I determined that if the clutch and throttle were operated concurrently, the engine would shut off. The engine would shut off anywhere between 1 MPH and highway speed causing issues with operating hydraulically assisted systems (power brakes and power steering). In practice, this led to the engine shutting off between most gear shifts causing a jerky driving condition due to the engine needing to clutch start itself. I did not test how well the steering or brakes worked while the engine was shut off due to safety concerns. While pulling into my driveway, I momentarily lost control of the vehicle when the engine died while traveling at low speed and with the steering wheel turned. I lost power steering and was unable to correct the direction in travel before driving onto my lawn. I returned the vehicle to the dealership and replicated the issue for them. They confirmed the issue was present. The issue was determined to be a faulty ECU flash causing the issue. A revised flash was made available to dealerships 7/12/24 and installed in my vehicle 7/15/24. Component that Failed: Faulty ECU flash Safety: The vehicle's engine would shut off while moving Reproduced by Dealership: Yes Inspected by Manufacturer: No Warning lights or messages: No Additional Info: I have been in contact with other owners with the same issue. This faulty ECU flash seems to only have had this effect on 2021 models. The following is personal input. I hope the irony is not lost on you all that a safety recall fix caused an arguably more pronounced and repeatable safety problem. Additionally, I notified Jeep Cares that this could kill or injure someone and they told me to send Chrysler a letter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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