Comprehensive guide to Jeep Gladiator lemon law claims, common defects, NHTSA recalls, and your legal rights as an owner.
Model years covered: 2020-2024
The Jeep Gladiator, introduced in 2020, combines the iconic off-road capability of the Wrangler with the utility of a midsize pickup truck. While it has garnered a dedicated following, the Gladiator has also been plagued by several persistent manufacturing defects that have led to numerous lemon law claims. Owners frequently report severe issues ranging from the infamous "death wobble" and steering instability to dangerous clutch fractures in manual transmission models and widespread electrical failures.
Because many of these defects directly impact the safety, use, and value of the vehicle, affected owners often find themselves making repeated trips to the dealership for repairs. When a manufacturer fails to fix a substantial defect after a reasonable number of attempts, or if the vehicle is out of service for an extended period, the vehicle may qualify as a lemon under state and federal laws.
If you own or lease a 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator that has spent excessive time in the repair shop for recurring problems, you have legal rights. Understanding the common defects, recall history, and your state's specific lemon law provisions is the first step in determining if you are entitled to a manufacturer buyback, a replacement vehicle, or cash compensation.
Total recalls: 15
The 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator has been subject to several major safety recalls. One of the most significant involves the manual transmission clutch pressure plate, which can overheat and fracture, potentially causing a fire or loss of propulsion (Recalls 21V-028 and 23V-116). This issue affected models from 2020 to 2023.
Another major recall involves the instrument panel cluster on 2020-2024 models, which may experience an internal short circuit and fail, violating federal safety standards for controls and displays. Additionally, Stellantis issued a massive recall for over 1 million 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles due to a potential fire risk, advising owners to park outside until repairs are completed. Other recalls have addressed issues with the rearview camera software and rear driveshaft assembly.
View all Jeep recalls and NHTSA safety alerts
The Jeep Gladiator has numerous Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) addressing common issues that do not rise to the level of a full safety recall. Notable TSBs include updates to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to address engine misfires and stalling, fixes for rear seat back squeaks, and procedures for diagnosing wandering steering and suspension vibrations. There are also TSBs related to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and malfunctioning heated steering wheels.
The Jeep Gladiator has been the subject of significant litigation, most notably regarding the "death wobble" defect. In the class-action lawsuit Reynolds, et al. v. FCA US LLC, plaintiffs alleged that the steering wheel and front suspension on 2018-2020 Jeep Wranglers and 2020 Jeep Gladiators were defective, causing violent shaking at highway speeds. FCA agreed to a settlement that received final approval in June 2023. The settlement provided class members with a warranty extension of up to eight years or 90,000 miles to cover repairs associated with a failed front suspension steering damper, as well as reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair costs.
Additionally, the manual transmission clutch issues have spurred legal scrutiny following multiple recalls. While a massive class-action settlement specifically for the clutch issue is still developing, individual lemon law claims regarding the clutch overheating, fracturing, and causing loss of motive power have been highly successful, often resulting in vehicle buybacks.
Yes, if your Jeep Gladiator experiences the 'death wobble' (violent steering wheel shaking at high speeds) and the dealership cannot fix it after a reasonable number of attempts (usually 2-4), it may qualify as a lemon. There was also a class-action settlement regarding this issue that provided extended warranties.
FCA issued recalls for the manual transmission clutch pressure plate overheating. If your vehicle was recalled and the dealership's fix does not resolve the issue, or if the vehicle is out of service for an extended period (often 30+ days) waiting for parts, you may have a valid lemon law claim.
This varies by state, but generally, if the vehicle has been in for repairs for the same substantial defect 3 to 4 times, or if it has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days or more during the warranty period, it may qualify as a lemon.
Yes. Electrical issues, such as a failing instrument cluster or malfunctioning safety sensors, are considered substantial defects because they impair the vehicle's safety and use. If these cannot be repaired, you may be entitled to a buyback or replacement.
In many states, the lemon law applies to used or certified pre-owned vehicles as long as they are still covered by the manufacturer's original warranty. Check your specific state's lemon law guidelines to confirm eligibility.