2022 Jeep Gladiator

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 9 Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire (VOQ) reports, 1 Death and Injury report, and multiple field reports alleging incidents of engine compartment fires in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The majority of the reports describe a fire occurring while the ignition in the vehicle was in an ‘OFF’ state with a suspected origin at the passenger front side of the engine compartment. An ignition ‘OFF’ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), and learned of several thermal events originating at the power steering pump electrical connector in recent model year Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The location of the pump connector is located at the passenger front side of the engine compartment, coinciding with the majority of fire reports known to ODI. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the cause, scope, and frequency of the alleged defect. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Numbers document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed recalls 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087 which include vehicles not identified in the initial subject population by ODI. ODI also received recall 21V586, involving loss of motive power due to failed CP4 fuel pumps on certain BMW manufactured vehicles. An information request letter response received from BMW indicated that failed pumps on their vehicles were caused by an interaction between pump internal components and US market diesel fuel, leading to increased slip and eventual particle-generating wear surface. Additional work will be done to identify whether a similar root cause is associated with the FCA recalled population and if similar wear dynamics occur on pumps supplied to vehicle manufacturers other than those included in the recalled population.ODI has upgraded this investigation to an EA in order to 1) determine engineering specifications of internal pump components that are correlated with pump failure leading to loss of motive power or other safety related hazards, 2) identify vehicle populations equipped with alleged defective pump variants, 3) assess if vehicles equipped with alleged defective pump variants result in an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and 4) gather and review any other relevant information related to high pressure fuel pump failure associated with the subject populations of recalls 21V586, 21V880, 21E094, 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087.Review of the above information will allow NHTSA to confirm root cause and recall remedy viability, and identify and evaluate vehicle populations equipped with pump components that may pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11257550, 11351441, 11361603, 11361616, 11365300, 11365426, 11365858, 11366401, 11372337, 11373793, 11374797, 11376793, 11377871, 11378173, 11384377, 11386063, 11387018, 11399710, 11402550, 11415339, 11418868, 11418870, 11427075, 11434276, 11436807, 11437226, 11437249, 11437273, 11437292, 11437294, 11437394, 11437399, 11437403, 11437405, 11437423, 11437528, 11437565, 11437579, 11437580, 11437590, 11437679, 11437744, 11437781, 11437842, 11437993, 11438006, 11438008, 11438121, 11438138, 11438155, 11438392, 11438629, 11439359, 11439879, 11440397, 11443030, 11446542, 11448163, 11453556, 11458918, 11460558, 11469337

On July 30, my 2022 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon suffered an extremely dangerous, unexpected complete electrical and engine failure while in operation. The vehicle abruptly shut down without any warning, causing an immediate loss of power steering and power braking. Prior to and during this shutdown, diagnostic codes associated with lost communication were triggered, (Lost Communication with Transmission Control Module). A total loss of vehicle power and primary control systems while driving presents a severe, unacceptable safety hazard that places passengers and surrounding traffic at immediate risk of a high-speed collision or severe injury. Given that this model has low mileage (approximately 23,000 miles) and is under factory warranty, a catastrophic system shutdown like this indicates a critical safety defect within the electrical or powertrain control modules. I strongly urge the NHTSA to formally document and investigate this life-threatening defect to ensure manufacturer accountability and prevent potential accidents.

NHTSA ID

11754898

Incident

Jul 30, 2026

Year/Make/Model: 2022 Jeep Gladiator RESPONDENT DEALERSHIP DETAILS Business Name: Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Physical Address: 20320 Chartown Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031 On July 17, 2026, the vehicle referenced above was presented to Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for the express purpose of executing the mandatory remedy under NHTSA Campaign 26V363 (Mopar 21D). This recall governs an electrical defect within the Electric Hydraulic Power Steering Pump (EHPSP) connector that creates an imminent risk of spontaneous vehicle fire while the vehicle is parked and the ignition is in the "OFF" position.The service department performed a cursory visual inspection and asserted that the vehicle "passed," thereby refusing to perform a physical component replacement. Recognizing the progressive nature of high-resistance electrical defects and the severity of the fire hazard, I explicitly requested a physical hardware replacement of the connector harness. The dealership management flatly refused to order the necessary manufacturer remedy parts or execute the component installation. IV. LEGAL VIOLATION AND REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION Under federal law, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 and specific National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mandates, authorized franchise dealerships are legally obligated to remedy safety defects without charge and to the full satisfaction of eliminating the risk. A simple visual evaluation fails to alter the underlying manufacturing deviation or secure the long-term safety of the vehicle.By refusing to provide the physical component remedy, Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is in direct violation of its statutory recall obligations. I request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiate an immediate investigation into this dealership's non-compliance, compel the submission of all service records for this visit, and enforce my federal right to a complete physical hardware remedy to mitigate this safety risk.

NHTSA ID

11751231

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

What happened: Driving on road, check engine light and traction control light appeared, smelled metallic-type odor, pulled over, before I could put it in park smoke started pouring from under the hood on passenger side. Unable to extinguish due to ball of flames hitting me as I opened hood. Burned it to the ground. Which component: I'm assuming it was the electric hydraulic power steering pump (EHPSP) wiring. The fire was on the passenger side. The vehicle is available for inspection in a tow lot near [XXX]. Safety: It caught fire on a small dirt road in the country. I was the only occupant and I was uninjured. There was nobody on the road at the time. Thankfully the woods got rain recently or it would have caused a massive forest fire. Problem reproduced: No Inspection: No one has inspected the car yet. Warning: There was no other warning other than described above and the truck was behaving perfectly normal. Other: The vehicle was taken to Tri-Lakes Ford in [XXX] to replace the high pressure fuel pump (another recall). They told me they didn't have the parts to fix the steering yet, so I planned on coming back when they did. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11750338

Incident

Jul 11, 2026

Multiple control modules lost communication due to faulty Can Bus connection behind glove box. Vehicle went into limp mode then forced me to put in park while at red light, essentially disabling vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11743129

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

Main battery drains over period of time with unknown reason or cause. It has been inspected several times and is being linked to the alternate battery.

NHTSA ID

11742966

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

Death wobble

NHTSA ID

11737412

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

The third brake light is not working on my 2022 Gladiator. It was working, but shortly after purchase it stopped working. This seems to be quite the issue as I have seen many Gladiators of all years with the third brake lights not working. This is a safety issue and will not pass inspection if not working. Since there are so many years of Gladiators with inoperable third brake lights it shows that the manufacturer has not addressed the issue. They then turn around and charge up to $100 per light replacement. Unacceptable! This is a government mandated item for vehicles, and as a mandated item it should work more than a couple of years. This is the first vehicle I have ever owned that has issues with the third LED brake light. If the government does not help correct this situation the manufacturer will never correct the situation, and replacement third brake lights will fail within a short period of time leading owners to pay for a part that fails continuously. I have read about many owners simply replacing the light with another Jeep third brake light and not reporting it, only to have it happen again later. Please do something about this highway robbery.

NHTSA ID

11736720

Incident

Aug 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a pothole, and the vehicle went into the death wobble. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering damper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was determined that the steering damper, a bolt, and the shoulder on the square neck needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,196.

NHTSA ID

11734579

Incident

Apr 29, 2026

Mileage

3,196 mi

EMISSION RECALL – NORTH AMERICA Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Lamp 16C The instrument panel cluster on about 32,587 of the above vehicles may have an inoperable check engine/malfunction indicator lamp (CEL/MIL). (JT) vehicles: CEL/MIL and cargo lamp indicator function are swapped. (JL) vehicles: CEL/MIL will not turn on. The CEL/MIL in and of itself will not affect emissions. However, if there was an emission issue that would require illumination of the CEL/MIL, the customer would not be alerted. The vehicle would be non-compliant to the OBD II regulation.

CORE – HEATER

CORE – HEATER

Fuel Delivery Module Before replacing the fuel module for DTCs P0461 and P062A and other not start, long crank, fuel gauge accuracy and drivability issues, the technician should disconnect the electrical connector at the pump and perform a visual inspection of the connector for and bent, spread, or pushed out terminals. Repair any issues found. Reconnect the plug and perform a push pull push to ensure the connector is fully installed. Then perform 3 keys cycles and listen to hear if the fuel pump is operational. If the fuel pump is heard that indicates that everything is operating correctly. If the pump is heard replacement is not necessary, any replacement will function in the same way.

Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) and Radio Compass Display has Dashes (--)

MOTOR - BLOWER WITH WHEEL