2023 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 vehicle does not have linerar acceperation. At times from a start, cold or warn engine, the vehicle will abruptly accelerate harder than the gas pedal was pressed. at light throttle, the vehicle will surge, shutter or chug. Erattic acceperation. after the engine replacement for a connecting rod bearing failure, the engine was running rough, poor mileage and stalled on a wet and cold morning (32degrees, raining). The stall happened on the deaccel lane of the interstate 25 (65 mph). THe dealership replaced one injector and said the problem was fixed. But it is not. Vehicle has not stalled, but we have not had the cold/wet weather.

NHTSA ID

11746289

Incident

May 18, 2026

while completly filling the vehicle with gasoline, fuel sprays out of teh filler neck onto the vehicle and ground. This has happened many times, at reputible gas stations (Costco, Sams, walmart, Loaf and Jug). Dealership replaced original filler tube. But problem still exists. Shared video with dealership and they indicated they had no problems Castle Rock Jeep, Castle rock, COlorado

NHTSA ID

11746287

Incident

May 18, 2026

Parking brake would not hold vehicle on hill. When the handle was released, a metalic clinking noise was heard. Castle rock jeep dealership said all was fine. Upon my inspection, I found the parking brake cable connection under teh center console was no longer connected. The cable was reconnected, and the cable was tightened to specifications indicated my Jeep. THe vehicle had 6200 miles on it. p.s. THis was after the warranty replacement of the engine. THe dealership indicated they tested several other jeeps and they all acted as mine. No concern for safety.

NHTSA ID

11746285

Incident

May 18, 2026

5800 miles, the engine failed due to a connecting rod failure. Chrysler replaced the engine at no cost. Oil changes were done at the year mark as the mileage limit was not reached. Dealership indicates they replace several 3.6 engines a month for warranty failures Castle Rock Jeep, Castle rock Colorado.

NHTSA ID

11746281

Incident

Mar 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Gladiator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11746139

Incident

Jun 4, 2026

The vehicle suffered a catastrophic, systemic high-speed CAN C data bus loop collapse (Diagnostic Trouble Code U0002-00 "Bus Off"), resulting in an immediate, total loss of communication across almost all primary factory control modules—including the Body Control Module (BCM), Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Transmission Control Module (TCM), and ABS gateway. The vehicle is completely immobilized. This specific network data loop shares an exact architectural footprint and physical circuit link with the high-current electrical defects targeted under active, open Federal Safety Recall Campaign 21D (NHTSA Campaign 21V-363) for this VIN. The franchise dealership (Jacksonville CJDR) is actively using cosmetic visual framing of secondary aftermarket accessories to avoid executing baseline electrical isolation of this factory defect. Furthermore, the facility is demanding a predatory, upfront out-of-pocket retail diagnostic fee of $1,188.15 "to start" before they will address the network crash. This extortionate pricing barrier is being used to actively block a consumer from accessing a mandatory federal safety campaign remedy on a compromised, high-risk circuit. Official factory wiTECH 2 diagnostic screenshots confirming the complete vehicle network blackout are attached to this file.

NHTSA ID

11744215

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

Vehicle has been in the shop at 17,000 miles and had a complete transfer case, front and rear output shafts and rear Danna 44 (Max Tow) replaced in November of 2025. In June of 2025 vehicle has been in another shop for the same issues that occurred before these driveline repairs for three weeks now. Shop can not diagnose issues after three weeks. A star report has been made and Jeep is sending a technician to diagnose.

NHTSA ID

11742964

Incident

Nov 20, 2025

Jeep Death Wobble. Going 60, hit a bump and then the entire front end of Jeep started jumping back and forth so badly, I thought the Jeep was coming completely apart and I was going to crash. Applying the brakes didn't help, the steering seemed out of control, I was terrified and felt like I was going to lose going to lose control of the vehicle or crash into an oncoming vehicle! Thank God I didn't! I just had to wait till the vehicle slowed down and it eventually it stopped. This is now the 3rd time it happened in the passed week.

NHTSA ID

11735257

Incident

May 1, 2026

CORE – HEATER

CORE – HEATER

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

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