Jeep Gladiator Best and Worst Years (2020–2025)
The 2020 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80, the highest in the lineup. The 2024 and 2025 model years score lowest (0 and 20) and are rated Best based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- Model years
- 6
- 2020–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 987
- Recall campaigns
- 16
- Crashes reported
- 25
- Fires reported
- 29
- Top problem area
- Steering
Gladiator Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Jeep Gladiator problems and recalls by year
Gladiator years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Jeep Gladiator Index 100 · 483 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2020 Gladiator has the highest complaint index (100) and the most complaints of any year, 483. Electrical System issues make up 39% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 53,000 miles, while Steering problems (37% of complaints) surfaced at a median of just 500 miles. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including an instrument panel cluster short-circuit recall and a clutch pressure plate overheating recall on manual transmissions. Owners also reported transmission-related fires and fuel system fires. The year saw 11 crashes and 7 fires tied to complaints.
2020 electrical system problems →2020 steering problems →2020 engine problems →
2021 Jeep Gladiator Index 80 · 290 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2021 Gladiator carries a complaint index of 80, the second highest in the lineup, with 290 total complaints. Steering is the top problem area at 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 1,950 miles, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 24% (median 36,500 miles). NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns, including a steering pump wiring fire recall, an instrument panel cluster recall, and a powertrain control module software recall tied to prior transmission fixes. This year recorded 7 crashes and 3 fires among reported complaints.
2021 steering problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →2021 engine problems →
Most common Jeep Gladiator problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Steering329 (33%)
- Electrical System309 (31%)
- Engine158 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain156 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires112 (11%)
- Other85 (9%)
- Fuel System64 (6%)
- Brakes49 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers38 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras22 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Jeep Gladiator should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2020 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80, the highest among the 2020-2025 model years.
- Which Jeep Gladiator year is best?
- The 2024 and 2025 Gladiator are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 0 and 20, the lowest in the lineup, based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- Is the 2020 Jeep Gladiator reliable?
- The 2020 Gladiator has the highest number of complaints (483) and the highest complaint index (100) of any Gladiator year, with Electrical System and Steering issues making up 39% and 37% of complaints respectively.
- Does the Jeep Gladiator have steering recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 26V363000 covers 2021-2025 Gladiators for an electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring issue that can overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when parked.
- Is the 2022 Jeep Gladiator a safe choice?
- The 2022 Gladiator is a Caution year, with a complaint index of 60, better than 2020 and 2021 but higher than 2023, 2024, and 2025.