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Engine & cooling

Jeep Gladiator Engine problems by year

132 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Gladiator's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20261000
20251000
20243000
20237000
202220020
202154120
202046100

Latest Gladiator engine complaints

2022 Jeep GladiatorTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

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,...

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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.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11754898
2026 Jeep GladiatorEngine & coolingFire

My husband parked this car in my driveway at 8:15 pm. Our security cameras show a spark under the car at 8:35. By 8:42 the front half of the car was completely engulfed in flames. The front half of the car is totally burned.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11753558
2023 Jeep GladiatorEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11746281
2025 Jeep GladiatorAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & coolingFuel system

After getting gas and attempting to turn around in the parking lot the vehicle on its own accord while my foot was holding the brake attempted to speed up like cruise control was taking over on its on

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11743390
2020 Jeep GladiatorEngine & cooling

On May 27, 2026 at approximately 11:00 PM, my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland (VIN: [[redacted]] ) suffered catastrophic engine failure during normal operation at 78,190 miles. The alternator seized, causing the harmonic balancer (crankshaft damper) to fracture. The broken balancer fell into the engine block, causing extensive internal damage requiring complete engine replacement at significant cost. This failure sequence points to a design and/or manufacturing defect in the OEM alternator and/or its mounting system...

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on the 3.6L Pentastar V6. A properly designed alternator should not seize with enough force to fracture the harmonic balancer and deposit debris into the engine block under normal operating conditions. The vehicle was not involved in any accident or operator abuse. It was being driven normally with no prior warning - no dashboard lights, no unusual sounds, no prior related mechanical issues. I request NHTSA investigate whether this failure pattern is systemic across 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles and other 3.6L Pentastar V6 platforms, including the Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and Dodge Durango. Sudden complete engine failure at highway speeds is an immediate crash hazard to the driver and surrounding motorists. I respectfully request a formal defect investigation and, if warranted, a safety recall with full remediation and reimbursement of repair costs to affected owners. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11740885
2020 Jeep GladiatorEngine & cooling

At 90k miles head gasket failed letting coolant in engine cylinders which was diagnosed and repaired by a Jeep dealer. At 130k miles engine light back on with dealer suggesting it is rocker arm/lifter failure with cylinders misfiring. At initial purchase of vehicle touchscreen would black out and restart. Dealer replaced with another touchscreen but issue still exists after warranty term.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11735748
2020 Jeep GladiatorEngine & cooling

Intake lifters seizing and or rockers needle bearings failing resulting in camshaft lope damage

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11722148
2020 Jeep GladiatorEngine & cooling

Engine failure due to coolant leak: in December, 2025, vehicle was towed to dealership due to overheating engine. While driving home from work, Vehicle was exhibiting engine overheating including temperature warning lights, temperature gauge fluctuating from normal to extremely high, a strange sound coming from the front of the vehicle (almost like a fan was not working) and running rough, like a diesel idle. I immediately pulled the vehicle off to the side of the road & shut it off. (Fortunately engine didn't...

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seize or exhibit these symptoms while I was on the highway just minutes before) I called dealership & they said it needed to be towed in. After having my vehicle for 10 days, Dealership stated thermostat needed to be replaced. Vehicle then exhibited same symptoms a few weeks later along with a check engine light, vehicle is returned to dealership. Dealership NOW tells me they've "seen enough of these to know that it's most likely going to need a left side cylinder head" due to coolant leak into the engine. I am now aware there have been multiple reports to NHTSA for similar issues and that a service bulletin has been issued to the dealerships for this very reason: its a KNOWN issue with no recall in sight. Jeep at this juncture, acknowledging it's a problem, REFUSES to assist with very costly repair, instead suggesting I should report to NHTSA.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11713827
2022 Jeep GladiatorTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The camshaft went out, along with the rocker arms, cam phasers, there is a box on the passenger side wheel well that goes out and will not allow the truck to shift or go into park. There is now something wrong with the automatic start/stop as the light continues to be on in the dash. Things started to go out as soon as the warranty expired... The truck has 80kmi. We fix one problem only for more to pop up. We purchased the jeep brand new and everything since it has had one problem after another.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11707286
2020 Jeep GladiatorEngine & cooling

My jeep has 140,000 mile engine oil has been changed on time every time. And the engine has cylinders that are missing and it's using antifreeze and riddles like a diesel from time to time. I looked it up and it seems to be a common problem with these engine and there has not been a recall for this. But funny thing is they make a repair kit for this issue. Why has this not been recalled yet it's on all the jeep forms. Even wright ups of fires after a while of driving in this condition.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11705624
2020 Jeep GladiatorEngine & cooling

My vehicle has a 3.6 pentastar engine. Around 75,000 miles the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealership to run diagnostics and find the problem. After completing the diagnostics the service tech informed me that is was an issue related to a TSB 09-011-25. This is a major manufacturing issue that causes engine failure. My engine needs to be replaced. This issue affects many vehicles in the Stellantis lineup and should be a recall. They have not made any effort to inform customers of this issue to have it inspected

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11699092
2021 Jeep GladiatorSteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that there were several unknown warnings illuminated, and the instrument cluster had started flashing on and off. The contact stated that the vehicle slowed down while depressing the accelerator pedal and continued to lose motive power. The contact stated that a warning flashed on the instrument cluster to "Pull Over" and that "Vehicle Was Going to...

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Shutdown". The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn to the left or the right and that the brake pedal was difficult to depress, requiring the activation of the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the residence. The contact stated that her husband determined that the 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced. The contact stated that a new battery was installed; however, the vehicle had failed again with the same symptoms. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11697415
2020 Jeep GladiatorEngine & cooling

My vehicle has a 3.6 pentastar engine. Around 60000 miles the engine developed a noticeable tick. Now the engine has multiple cylinder misfires, is leaking oil all over the engine compartment and causing issues with other electronic components (wheel speed sensors, power steering, electronic shifting, brake lights) Upon research I found this is to be a known issue with this motor. There apparently have been some associated recalls but I couldn't find them. There are class action lawsuits as well

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11693727

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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