2023 Jeep Gladiator Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2023 Jeep Gladiator, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1419.4%
- Suspension1216.7%
- Steering1013.9%
- Powertrain (other)811.1%
- Fuel system811.1%
- Engine79.7%
- Brakes45.6%
- Other / unspecified34.2%
- Driver assistance22.8%
- Airbags22.8%
- Visibility11.4%
- Exterior lighting11.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The battery keeps draining. It’s done it twice in 1 year, 2 different batteries
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Cut off on me while driving. Loss power in middle of street almost cause me to hit another vehicle. Took it to repair under warranty they took almost 2 months to repair. Did some research and apparently this is a common issue on these trucks ans it is still not a recall about it. Dealership replaced same fuel injection pump it had. So basically it will happen again sometime soon. My vehicle only has 17k miles.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that there were several electrical issues while driving the vehicle at various speeds; there were surges in the RPM accompanied by the vehicle wobbling abnormally. The contact stated that the instrument panel was completely blank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the PCA harness was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Parking/emergency brake has become unattached and no longer functions. It is a manual transmission and the parking brake is required to keep the vehicle from possibly rolling once parked.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owned a 2023 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on a private road, but turned on, a fuel odor was detected inside the cabin. No warning light was illuminated. A few minutes later, the engine compartment on the passenger side caught fire. The contact's husband and their pets were able to safely exit the vehicle without injury. The vehicle burned to the ground. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The insurance company was notified of the failure, but had not yet declared the vehicle totaled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE24024 (Steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
media screen goes black wile driving and cluster has red lines comes on and off
2023 Jeep Gladiator with 8000 miles shut off while driving down the highway at approximately 40 Mph. Service Electronic Throttle Control light illuminated. Coasted to a stop and put the vehicle in park. Vehicle wouldn’t restart. Vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting service.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I purchased this vehicle April 2025 from Hollywood Motors LLC in Columbus OH. I noticed recently the vehicle had some frame damage after getting alignment, Also the airbag warning lights were coming on. Took the vehicle to a very reputable frame shop and they thoroughly investigated and found there that the drivers side frame rail i pushed back significantly. Also recently noticed the steering wheel adjustment is does not work. I purchased AS IS but I got confirmation in writing from dealer that he guarantees there is no frame damage and the vehicle is safe. This is false information and I would like to return the vehicle or dealer pays for it to be fixed.
On [XXX], I purchased a 2023 Jeep Gladiator from Lakeland Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Ram in Lakeland, Florida. At the time of purchase. I purchased a 36K/3 Year Bumper to Bumper warranty on the vehicle. After purchasing the vehicle, I noticed that several lights would come on in the vehicle. So I took the vehicle to the shop. The vehicle was taken to Posner Park Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep , RAM. A diagnostic test was completed, and they informed me that the airbags were inoperable, and the harnesses were sliced. The front door lock was also not working as well as other items. There was no way for me to know that the airbags were in that type of shape when I purchased the vehicle. I contacted Lakeland Jeep and spoke to about 5 managers as well as my salesperson Kyle. Justin Purdy asked me to forward the paperwork to his email and ii did do so. The problem is that I was sold a vehicle that was unsafe, and I purchased a warranty to cover the cost of the repairs. No one from Lakeland Jeep has contacted me back about this situation. I have spent $2,600 in repairs that I should not have had to pay. I am filing this complaint because this is not the proper way to deal with customers. I going to take the appropriate actions against this dealership starting today. I should not have had to pay this amount of money for these repairs. The warranty did not cover the repairs. The dealership should have made sure the vehicle was inspected prior to selling this vehicle to me. I have pictures of the vehicle prior to purchase that was on the dealership’s website. I have screen shots of the vehicle. I have my bill of sale which contains the warranty that was purchased. This is unfair and unethical. I am not happy about how I have been treated and I am not happy with the fact that I was driving a vehicle without all the safety equipment in place. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Brand new Jeep gladiator. 458 miles on it and the windshield glass cracked. No rock or external object hit it, simply faulty glass. I went to an online forum and found that windshields cracking on jeep’s is extremely common and Jeep refuses to warranty or do anything about it.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Headlights on new Jeep vehicles are terribly bright and poorly aimed so that they blind all oncoming traffic. There are many other newer vehicles with similar problems, but Jeeps seems to be the worst, along with Dodge Ram pickups. Please do something about getting laws passed to require proper aiming of headlights. The new HID and LED lights are obnoxious enough when they are aimed properly and there is a tiny change in elevation of the road. But if you drive down a flat country highway, you can easily see 1 out of 10 cars coming at you with much brighter lights than all the others. This should be illegal and those cars should be banned from the road until the problem is fixed.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .