Midsize pickup suffers from the well-known Jeep ‘death wobble,’ a glitchy backup display, and rumors of a leaking, clunking transmission. As a newer model, owners are still willing to look past the troubles in favor of its off-road capabilities.
Key Points
- The Jeep Gladiator has only been on the market since 2020, but it took its bow with a known problem associated with its solid front axle design.
- Some drivers experience a violently shaking steering wheel after hitting bumps at high speed. A fix from Jeep nets only temporary relief.
- The pickup also debuted with an array of glitchy electronic problems. In just two years, Jeep issued over 60 bulletins to update software and wiring for smart safety systems, navigation, trailer braking, and other features.
- A few owners report a leaky transmission. Car and Driver had to replace theirs after just 9,000 miles.
- Only two recalls affect most of the Jeep Gladiator pickups. One for a frozen backup camera and the other for a shattering clutch plate.
Jeep Gladiator Inherits the Death Wobble Steering System but Automaker Offers a Temporary Fix
While the Jeep Gladiator only debuted in 2018 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, it has garnered a reputation as a rugged off-road truck with a few problems.
The most common problem reported on the Jeep Gladiator is an intermittent violent shaking of the steering wheel. Also known as the “death wobble” in the Mopar community, it is associated with many models that feature a solid front axle design. Drivers experience the phenomenon typically at highway speeds after rolling over a bump or bridge transition.
The shaking goes away after slowing or coming to a stop. But once the vehicle suffers from the wobble, it is likely to come back after you hit the next pothole.
The vibration is so bad that drivers want to hold on for dear life and simultaneously let go of the steering wheel as it shakes their entire body.
‘Death Wobble’ Problem is so Bad that Even if it Happens Once, Experts Suggest that Owners Get an Inspection of the Entire Front Suspension
Autoweek found that if the Gladiator wobbles just once, an inspection of the entire front suspension is warranted. The track bar, tie rods, and ball joints should all have their mounting points tightened and checked for damage.
Motor1 reported that Stellantis released a fix for the shaking steering problem in November of 2019. They will replace the steering dampener under warranty. However, some owners say that the wobble returns after another year, and the dampener must be changed again.
How likely are drivers of the Gladiator to experience the wobble? Out of 189 complaints lodged for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 128 refer to shaking or wandering steering issues.
However, a steering wheel with excessive play and a tendency to drift out of its lane are not the same as the wobble. Jeep launched a separate service campaign to update the software for the wandering steering box in 2021.
Electrical Errors Appear on Safety, Navigation, and HVAC Systems While Jeep Publishes Over 60 Bulletins to Address the Programming and Wiring
If your Jeep Gladiator does not have a defective steering system, it does likely suffer from at least one electric issue. So far, 64 technical bulletins have been released to address a variety of software and wiring shortcomings.
The autonomous forward braking system may mistakenly identify another moving car as an obstacle, sound driver warnings, and even apply the brakes without cause. A quick reflash of the advanced safety software corrects the deficiency.
Other electrical systems that may need a software update to operate correctly include the trailer brake controller, flickering radio screen, A/C that randomly blows hot air, and start/stop smart key problems.
Also, the navigation system installed in the top trims struggles to provide accurate search results when entering a location address.
Car and Driver Test Vehicle Spent Nearly a Month in the Garage During Extended Road Test
When Car and Driver took a new 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave out for a year-long reliability test, the truck didn’t make it to the end.
They experienced a bad rear locking differential sensor. Other owners in the Jeep Gladiator Forum also speak to the fairly common issue. Unfortunately, replacement sensors are not readily available. So, the dealer replaces the entire axle assembly.
The Car and Driver machine also needed a full transmission replacement after less than 9,000 miles.
Two Concerning Recalls Include a Faulty Clutch Plate and Sticky Backup Display
With just three model years on the market, there are few recalls of note for the Jeep Gladiator. The earliest trucks had a bad clutch pressure plate on their manual transmission. The plate could overheat and fracture. The campaign called for the dealer to replace it.
The other recall affects trucks with the upgraded 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The backup camera display freezes after shifting out of reverse. A simple software update fixed the problem.
Three other minor production recalls affecting a minimal number of trucks were addressed early in 2019.
Despite the Alarming Steering and Electrical Issues, Owners Still Love Their Jeep Gladiator
You may think that a new model pickup like the Jeep Gladiator would plummet in popularity with a known problem like the Death Wobble. However, buyers of the popular off-road vehicle are well aware of its probable design flaws since it was based on the long-lived Jeep Wrangler.
So, for all the apparent drama associated with a vibrating steering wheel and a glitchy electrical system, it still ranks second among owners at Vehicle History in the midsize pickup segment.
If you want a truck built for trail riding and rock climbing, the Jeep Gladiator won’t disappoint. Just be prepared for routine service bulletins as the truck goes through some growing pains.
Photos: Stellantis
