Jeep Gladiator problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The Gladiator (JT, 2020–present) shares much of the Wrangler JL’s hardware and recalls. Key campaigns: an ungreased rear driveshaft joint on early 2020 trucks (19V-636), clutch overheating on 2020–2023 manuals (23V-116), EcoDiesel fuel pump failures, a 2021–2025 power steering pump wiring fire recall and thin-walled 2026 steel wheels.

CarWhere lists 6 documented Gladiator issues, including 6 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

Gladiator generations at a glance

Jeep Gladiator generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
JT2020–presentRear driveshaft assembled without grease · Manual-transmission clutch overheating recall · 3.0L EcoDiesel high-pressure fuel pump recall · Instrument cluster failure recall · Electric-hydraulic power steering pump wiring fire recall · Thin-walled steel wheel recall

JT Gladiator problems (2020–present)

Rear driveshaft assembled without grease (2020)

Safety recall
Generation:
JT (2020)
Years:
2020
Powertrain:
All engines

Some early 2020 Gladiators had rear driveshafts assembled without grease in the monoblock joint. The joint can overheat and seize, fracturing the driveshaft and causing a sudden loss of drive, and a separated shaft can become a road hazard. Dealers replace the driveshaft.

Symptoms

  • Vibration or clunk from under the truck
  • Squeal or heat from the rear driveshaft joint

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Check the rear driveshaft for a replacement part tag or repair order

NHTSA recall: 19V636 (2019-08)

Sources: [1]

Manual-transmission clutch overheating recall (2020–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
JT (2020–2023), 6-speed manual
Years:
2020–2023

Manual-transmission Gladiators share the Wrangler’s clutch pressure plate problem: it can overheat and fracture, with a fire risk, debris on the road or loss of drive. Earlier remedies under 20V-124 and 21V-028 were followed by 23V-116, which replaces the clutch assembly and updates software.

Symptoms

  • Clutch overheat warning
  • Burning smell after slow off-road driving
  • Clutch slip or judder

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete for 23V116
  • Ask for proof the clutch assembly was replaced

NHTSA recall: 23V116 (2023-02)

Sources: [1][2]

3.0L EcoDiesel high-pressure fuel pump recall (2021–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
JT (2021–2023) EcoDiesel
Years:
2021–2023
Powertrain:
3.0L EcoDiesel V6

The EcoDiesel’s high-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine. 2021–2022 Gladiators were covered by recall 22V-767 and 2021–2023 trucks by 23V-263. Dealers replace the pump and any contaminated fuel-system parts.

Symptoms

  • Stalling or no-start
  • Loss of power with fuel-pressure codes

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete for 22V767 and 23V263
  • Ask whether injectors and lines were replaced with the pump

NHTSA recall: 23V263 (2023-04)

Sources: [3][4]

Instrument cluster failure recall (2020–2024)

Safety recall
Generation:
JT (2020–2024)
Years:
2020–2024
Powertrain:
All engines

The instrument cluster on 2020–2024 Gladiators (and 2018–2024 Wranglers) can short internally and go blank, losing the speedometer and warning lights. Dealers replace the cluster.

Symptoms

  • Blank or flickering gauge cluster
  • Missing warning lights

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Confirm every gauge and warning light works at start-up

NHTSA recall: 24V652 (2024-09)

Sources: [2][5]

Electric-hydraulic power steering pump wiring fire recall (2021–2025)

Safety recall
Generation:
JT (2021–2025)
Years:
2021–2025
Powertrain:
All engines

Wiring to the electric-hydraulic power steering pump on 2021–2025 Gladiators (and Wranglers) can overheat and start a fire, even when parked with the ignition off. Owners are advised to park outside until dealers inspect and replace the wiring and pump.

Symptoms

  • Burning smell from the engine bay
  • Power steering warning or heavy steering

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask whether the 26V363 inspection has been done

NHTSA recall: 26V363 (2026-06)

Sources: [4][6]

Thin-walled steel wheel recall (2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
JT (2026)
Years:
2026
Powertrain:
All engines

Some 2026 Gladiator and Wrangler steel wheels may have walls that are too thin, letting them crack or detach. Dealers inspect and replace the steel wheels and valve stems as needed.

Symptoms

  • Air loss from a tire
  • Visible cracks around lug holes or the rim

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Inspect steel wheels for cracks, including the spare

NHTSA recall: 26V456 (2026-07)

Sources: [7]

Related Gladiator research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints is a different question, answered in the years-to-avoid research from NHTSA complaint counts.

Confirm how a Gladiator was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Jeep build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Jeep build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Jeep Gladiator recalls?

Key campaigns are the 2020 rear driveshaft recall (19V-636), clutch overheating on 2020–2023 manual trucks (23V-116), EcoDiesel fuel pump recalls (22V-767, 23V-263), the 2020–2024 instrument cluster recall (24V-652) and the 2021–2025 power steering pump wiring recall (26V-363).

Does the Gladiator get death wobble?

It uses a solid front axle like the Wrangler, so worn or loose steering parts can cause front-end shimmy. FCA’s V41 steering damper campaign was announced for 2018–2019 Wrangler JL. On any Gladiator, check the track bar, tie rods and steering damper for play.

Which Gladiator years are best to avoid?

Early 2020 trucks carry the most campaigns, including the driveshaft and seat belt retractor recalls. Any year is a reasonable buy if the recalls show complete on NHTSA’s VIN lookup.

Is the EcoDiesel Gladiator reliable?

The 3.0L EcoDiesel was offered in 2021–2023 Gladiators and was recalled twice for high-pressure fuel pump failure. Confirm both 22V-767 and 23V-263 are complete before buying.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. NHTSA recalls: 2020 Jeep Gladiator — NHTSA
  2. NHTSA recalls: 2022 Jeep Gladiator — NHTSA
  3. NHTSA recalls: 2021 Jeep Gladiator — NHTSA
  4. NHTSA recalls: 2023 Jeep Gladiator — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA recalls: 2024 Jeep Gladiator — NHTSA
  6. NHTSA recalls: 2025 Jeep Gladiator — NHTSA
  7. NHTSA recalls: 2026 Jeep Gladiator — NHTSA

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