Know Your Truck

2020–2026 Jeep Gladiator common problems and fixes

The solid front axle can develop "death wobble", a violent shake after bumps at highway speed. 2020 trucks have the most complaints, many about instrument clusters that go blank (recalled). Manual trucks had clutch recalls, and 2021–2025 trucks a power steering pump fire recall.

What owners should know

Covers 2020–2026 · 3.6L V6, 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 · Updated 2026-10-05

The Gladiator is the pickup version of the Jeep Wrangler, with a 3.6L V6 (most trucks) or, for 2021–2023, a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, a solid front axle, and a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic.

We counted 992 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2020–2026 Gladiators (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 897 from V6s and 82 from diesels, identified by VIN; 13 couldn't be matched to an engine. None had a VIN belonging to another vehicle. 2020, the first year, has the most (483), and complaints drop every year after. Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • Steering, including death wobble, is the most reported problem: 329 complaints are filed under NHTSA's steering category.
  • Instrument clusters that go blank, mostly on 2020 trucks (recalled).
  • Several recalls for manual-transmission clutches and, on 2021–2025 trucks, power steering pump wiring that can catch fire.

Steering and death wobble

About 120 complaints describe death wobble, a shimmy or violent shaking, and about 130 mention wandering, loose steering, play, or the track bar, tie rods, drag link or steering damper, mostly on 2020–2021 trucks. On JeepGladiatorForum, owners often trace it to play in the front end, especially loose track bar bolts. For 2020 trucks, Jeep also found a factory cause: air trapped in the steering damper. Its bulletin 19-002-19 and warranty extension XF1 replace the damper on 2020 Gladiators built on or before August 11, 2020 that shimmy after a bump. Have the whole front end checked; a damper alone won't fix worn parts.

Instrument cluster

96 complaints from 2020 trucks (113 across all years) describe the instrument cluster or gauges going blank. Jeep recalled certain 2020–2024 Gladiators because the cluster can short internally and fail (24V652000), but some owners report their truck wasn't included; those trucks need diagnosing before a new cluster is installed.

Recalls to check

  • Clutch pressure plates that can overheat on 2020–2023 manual trucks (20V124000, 21V028000 and 23V116000)
  • Power steering pump wiring that can overheat and catch fire on certain 2021–2025 trucks, even when parked (26V363000). Until it's fixed, Jeep says to park outside and away from buildings.
  • High-pressure fuel pump that can fail on 2021–2023 diesels (23V263000)

Before you buy

  • Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls with the VIN.
  • Have a mechanic check the track bar, tie rods, drag link and ball joints for play, and ask the owner whether the truck has ever had death wobble.
  • Look for loose or shiny-worn track bar bolts and play in the tie rods.
  • Bring our used truck inspection checklist.

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (12)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2020-2026 Jeep Gladiator. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Death wobble

    Moderate DIY

    Signs: After hitting a bump at highway speed, the steering wheel and front end shake violently until the truck slows way down.

    Fix: Have a mechanic check the whole front end for play before replacing parts: track bar and its bolts (owners on JeepGladiatorForum often find them loose), tie rod, drag link, ball joints, tires and alignment. On 2020 trucks there's also a factory damper issue: Jeep's bulletin 19-002-19 and warranty extension XF1 (bulletin 19-002-24) replace the steering damper on 2020 Gladiators built on or before August 11, 2020 that shimmy after a bump, because air can be trapped in the original damper. Ask a dealer whether this VIN qualifies. On other trucks, a new damper alone can hide worn parts without fixing them.

    Shop: Gladiator front track barShop: Gladiator steering damperShop: Gladiator tie rod and drag link▶ How-to videos

  • Instrument cluster goes blank

    Dealer job

    Signs: The screen between the gauges, or the whole cluster, goes dark: no fuel level, mileage or warning lights.

    Fix: Jeep's recall replaces the cluster on certain 2020–2024 trucks whose cluster can short internally. Check the VIN first. If the truck isn't covered, have a dealer or shop diagnose it before replacing the cluster: a weak battery, a loose connector, a blown fuse or a software fault can also blank the display.

    May be covered free by recall 24V652000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Clutch pressure plate can overheat (manual transmission)

    Dealer job

    Signs: A burning smell or a clutch that slips; in the worst case the pressure plate breaks.

    Fix: Covered by three Jeep recalls for certain 2020–2023 manual trucks: the first rerouted a wire harness and inspected the clutch, the second added software that cuts engine torque when the clutch gets too hot, and the third (23V116000) replaces the clutch assembly and updates the software. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 20V124000 / 21V028000 / 23V116000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Power steering pump wiring can catch fire (2021–2025)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Often none; the wiring can overheat even with the truck parked and off.

    Fix: Covered by a Jeep recall for certain 2021–2025 trucks. Until it's repaired, Jeep tells owners to park outside and away from buildings. Dealers inspect and replace the wiring and pump as needed. Check the VIN.

    May be covered free by recall 26V363000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →