2020 Jeep Gladiator Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 6 Gladiator years
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator ranks worst of 6 model years, with 483 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and 7 recalls. Electrical System issues lead at 39% of complaints, followed by Steering at 37%, making 2020 the year to avoid most for this model.
- Complaints
- 483
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 11 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2020 Jeep Gladiator problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System187 (39%)
- Steering181 (37%)
- Engine57 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain54 (11%)
- Other33 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires32 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers23 (5%)
- Brakes18 (4%)
- Structure & Body11 (2%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report transmission grinding or failure at highway speeds, in one case followed by fire and parts landing on the road.
- Some drivers describe the transmission catching fire while cruising on the interstate, with smoke and fluid trailing behind the vehicle.
- Owners report the 4WD and ABS warning lights coming on suddenly along with brake failure, leading to collisions.
- A fuel system fire was reported starting underneath the truck bed and spreading toward the cab while driving.
- Owners describe losing power steering followed by smoke and an engine bay fire severe enough to total the vehicle.
- Steering is described as loose and wandering at higher speeds, with some owners reporting the steering box was replaced multiple times without improvement.
2020 Jeep Gladiator recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V652000Sep 5, 2024Electrical System32,863 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
- NHTSA 23V116000Feb 23, 2023Transmission & Powertrain69,201 vehicles
Power train:clutch assembly
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
- NHTSA 21V028000Jan 28, 2021Transmission & Powertrain42,887 vehicles
Power train:clutch assembly
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.
2020 Jeep Gladiator fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Gladiator years
Frequently asked questions
- What problems does the 2020 Jeep Gladiator have?
- NHTSA lists 483 complaints for the 2020 Gladiator, led by the Electrical System (39% of complaints) and Steering (37%). Seven recalls have been issued, covering the instrument cluster, clutch pressure plate, seat belts, radio display software, and driveshaft assembly.
- Is the 2020 Jeep Gladiator the year to avoid?
- Yes. Among the 6 model years with data, 2020 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Gladiator years.
- Does the 2020 Jeep Gladiator have a transmission recall?
- Yes. Recall 20V124000 covers manual transmission clutch pressure plates that may overheat and fracture in certain 2018-2020 vehicles, including the 2020 Gladiator.
- How does the 2020 Gladiator compare to later years?
- Complaint counts and complaint index drop steadily after 2020: 2021 has 290 complaints (index 80, Avoid), 2022 has 120 (index 60, Caution), 2023 has 56 (index 40, Good), and 2024/2025 rank Best with indexes of 0 and 20.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator?
- EPA rates the 2020 Gladiator at 19 mpg combined (16.5 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.