2020 Jeep GLADIATOR: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FLOOR PANEL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BECAME SO HOT THAT IT BURNED THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S FOOT. THE CARPET ON THE FLOOR PANEL WAS REMOVED AND THERE WAS A WARNING NOT TO REMOVE THE CARPET BECAUSE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM RUNS UNDER THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING LABEL WAS NOT VISIBLE UNLESS THE CARPET WAS REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA JEEP DODGE (2229 KING AVE W, BILLINGS, MT 59102) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE …

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222418 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED IT IS ALL OF THE SUDDEN THERE IS HOT AIR COMING IN FROM THE FRONT FEET SPACE BY THE PEDALS, YOU CAN FEEL IT IN PASSENGER SIDE ALSO. ( AC IS ON AND BLOWING COLD AIR AND THE RECIRCULATE BUTTON IS ON) UPPER VENT BLOW COLD AIR WHILE THIS HAPPENS. I HAD TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT BUT THE COMPUTER DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING SO IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. IN ALL THE YEARS I HAVE OWN A OTHER VEHICLES I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS SO THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND VERY UNCOMFOR…

Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 11255891 at NHTSA ↗

DRIFTS/WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11256909 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK 3 WEEKS NOW AND ABOUT 1,000 MILES. THE ISSUE I HAVE US WITH THE STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ESPECIALLY. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A MODERN DAY VEHICLE WITH THIS MUCH STEERING PLAY. THIS PAST WEEKEND I TOOK A MOSTLY HIGHWAY TRIP AND IT WAS MENTALLY EXHAUSTING TO HAVE TO WORK THE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY BACK AND FORTH WITH ABOUT 2" OFF PLAY BEFORE IT MOVED THE WHEELS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A "JEEP THING " AND I WOULD GET USE TO IT. BUT I HAVE OWNED 2 WRANGLERS AND CURRENTLY HAVE A GRAND CHEROKEE AS WELL …

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11257539 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 WITH APPROX SPEED OF 65. CAUGHT ON FIRE. FLAMES AND LOTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER JEEP. SMOKE ENTERED CAB. WHAT I THINK IS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEFT TRAIL ON INTERSTATE. I HAVE PHOTO.*DT*JB*DT *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11258523 at NHTSA ↗

THE STEERING BOX HAS AN UNACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF PLAY ACCORDING TO 49 CFR 570.60 - STEERING SYSTEM. IT HAS MORE THAN 2 INCHES (1 TO EACH SIDE) OF PLAY AND REQUIRES CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT. FCA HAS REVISED THE STEERING BOX 5 TIMES SO FAR AND IS ATTEMPTING TO MASK IT WITH A STEERING DAMPER WHICH DOES NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE LASH BEING OUT OF SPEC FOR THE VEHICLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269484 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING AND CONSTANTLY WONDERS ON THE ROAD. EXCESSIVE PLAY IS EXHAUSTING WHILE TAKING LONG TRIPS AS IT REQUIRES CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT ON THE ROAD TO CORRECT. CONTACTED DEALER, JIMMY BRITT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP IN DUBLIN GEORGIA AND WAS TOLD "JEEPS DO THAT YOU HAVE TO GET FAMILIAR WITH IT". I HAVE HAD MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFETIME AND NONE HAVE BEEN THIS HARD TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS IN THE CITY AS WELL AS THE HIGHWAY..

Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269747 at NHTSA ↗

2020 GLADIATOR PURCHASED AUGUST 30. HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER EVERY WEEK SINCE TO DISCUSS STEERING FREE PLAY AND WANDERING ON THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD IT WAS MANUALLY ADJUSTED AND ALIGNED AND THAT IS ALL THEY CAN DO. THEN TOLD, WHEN I ASKED FOR DOCUMENTATION/SERVICE RECORDS (WHICH TOOK 7 WEEKS TO GET) THEY SAID NOTHING WAS DONE BECAUSE FCA HAS NOT GIVEN THEM ANY INFORMATION. TRIED ANOTHER DEALER. THEY AGREE, STEERING IS LOOSE, BUT HAVE NO TSB FROM FCA SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THIS WILL BE VERY TRICKY TO DRIVE ON SLIPPERY MICHIGAN ROADS. THIS …

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269763 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2019-08-29 (August 29, 2019)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The rear driveshafts may have been incorrectly assembled without grease in the monoblock joint.

Consequence: A joint without grease may overheat and seize, possibly causing the driveshaft to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. If the driveshaft completely separates from the vehicle it may become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is V95.

Reported: 2020-03-03 (March 3, 2020)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

Consequence: The 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: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W12.

Reported: 2020-09-10 (September 10, 2020)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.

Reported: 2020-09-24 (September 24, 2020)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Wrangler and Ram 2500, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front seat belts fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors, free of charge. The recall began November 12, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W67.

Reported: 2021-01-28 (January 28, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-02-23 (February 23, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2024-09-05 (September 5, 2024)

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."

Consequence: 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.