2022 Jeep Gladiator: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, electrical, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022- Owner complaints
- 104
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 4
- 7 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2022 Jeep Gladiator: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Gladiator is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Jeep Gladiator. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cylGas | 4WD | 19 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylDiesel | 4WD | 24 mpg |
- The 2022 Jeep Gladiator was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Gladiator that averages well under the EPA 19 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Sudden electrical shutdown, stranded truck
300–3,839 miles
Parked engine-bay fires
1,758–18,000 miles
Death wobble after bumps
5,000–45,000 miles
Power steering loss
15,000–20,000 miles
Camshaft and rocker arm failure
52,000–80,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Jeep Gladiator, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Steering321 crash
Power steering cuts out at highway speed with little or no warning. The wheel turns very heavy until the truck slows down or is restarted, and some reports pair this with a "service shifter" message. A second pattern is the so-called death wobble: violent front-end shaking after a bump, usually above 40 to 50 mph, on stock trucks. Dealers often replace the steering damper, and owners say the shaking comes back. Of 32 complaints, 3 involve fire. These include engine-bay fires on parked trucks and one that broke out right after a power steering loss.
Electrical21No crashes
Engine-bay fires are the most serious pattern here: 5 of 21 complaints are fire-related. Several trucks burned while parked and switched off, some within the first 2,500 miles. Reports point to the passenger side of the engine bay or the top of the battery. Other owners describe sudden shutdowns. The dash lights flash, the wipers turn on, power steering drops out, and the shifter will not move, leaving the truck stranded. A blank instrument cluster shows up around 35,000 miles. One dealer traced unexpected shifts into neutral to loose CAN-C bus connections.
Transmission18No crashes
Manual-transmission clutch failure leads this category. Owners describe burning smells, smoke from under the truck, a transmission stuck in neutral, and a "Service Transmission" warning, with one failure at 4400 miles. Many complaints are really about waiting: dealers say clutch replacement parts are unavailable, and trucks sit for months. Other reports cover camshaft and rocker arm failure on the 3.6L V6 with ticking and misfires. One owner lost power on a mountain road when the high-pressure fuel pump failed. Another had a rear differential leak that damaged the axle, bearings, and brakes.
Suspension61 crash
The front end wobbles after bumps at freeway speed, and the shaking stops only when the truck drops below about 50 mph. Dealers usually start by replacing the steering damper, then the shocks and steering rods, and the wobble often returns. One crash complaint describes a front axle that fractured during a right turn after weeks of jerking. Other reports cite failed rear stabilizer links and leaking front shocks within 12,000 miles of a rear differential rebuild, and side-to-side swaying over bumps at 15,000 miles.
Engine5No crashes
The camshaft and rocker arms fail from cam scoring, bringing a flashing check engine light, ticking, and misfires. One report puts this at about 52,000 miles, with parts on national backorder. The high-pressure fuel pump fails repeatedly, in one case even after a full fuel system replacement under warranty. Other owners say the engine shuts off at highway speed with no warning, and dealers cannot reproduce it. One complaint describes a fire on a truck that had been parked for 4 days, leaving it a total loss.
Fuel system4No crashes
Gasoline leaks from the passenger side of the underbody after the truck sits parked, heavily enough that fumes reached one owner's house. Fuel also spits back out of the filler at every fill-up, even at slow pump speeds. On the 3.0 EcoDiesel, complaints center on fuel pump repairs that dealers cannot finish for lack of parts. One dealer reportedly receives one pump a month. Owners report waiting 9 months or more, and one was quoted about 30 more months.
Exterior lights4No crashes
Snow packs into the recessed LED headlights and fog lights during night driving, and the lights do not run warm enough to melt it. The light then scatters instead of reaching the road. Drivers have to pull over in bad weather to clear the housings. Three of the 4 complaints describe this winter problem. The other concerns a tailgate third brake light that keeps failing even after it has been replaced.
Brakes3No crashes
The parking brake fails to hold. In one report the truck rolls after being shifted into park. In another, the parking brake cable adjustment nut keeps loosening, so the cable falls out of its connector and the brake stops working. A third complaint, filed at 135 miles, says the brake pedal sits higher than the accelerator, so a foot can catch between the two when stopping. Dealers declined to fix that pedal concern.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Gladiator owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
When at highway speeds 50+mph, and I hit a bump, vehicle begins to shake in varying degrees of severity. Slowing down, stopping completely, or something another bump will stop the shaking. Vehicle is stock, not alterations have been made. Has been brought to the attention of service techs at Olathe Jeep. Informed issue may be with steering stabilizer, part on back order. Noticed issue at 5000 miles. Has been ongoing for months, no resolution.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2023
Steering on jeep is very loose on cold mornings. It gets very wobbly and unable to control above 40mg. You have to be super careful when driving. Took it to the dealership and they said I would need to contact jeep wave as it’s a known issue with “ death wobble “. This jeep is a 2022 with zero modifications and has the crazy wobble.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
Not just not repair for faulty fuel pump as they continue to mfg vehicles but has electrical issues going to limp mode without warning causing dangerous issues driving with no power and lack of operational system. Stellantis refuses to honor warranty or repair. Asked me to fix issues myself. A 50k vehicle I can't use and pay $900 per month.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2023
The check engine light came on and said the vehicle will be shutting down and the vehicle died while driving and wouldn't restart! It said to service the power steering, vehicle not in service electronic stability control. It currently still won't restart. It has 300 miles and is one week old.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2022
The clutch burned out, fly wheel with hot spots, on a 2022 Gladiator with 4400 miles only. A lot of smoke was coming out from underneath the car. We have to get out of it. The car in at the dealer trying to get repair. We don't know if it was a pressure plate malfunction. There was a burning smell 3 days prior to the break down. I know there was a recall for faulty clutch on wranglers n gladiators. Same symptoms as my 2022 Gladiator.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2022
On Sept 23, the vehicle went into the dealership service department to replace an apparent faulty transmission oil pan gasket, and today October 14, my Gladiator had to be towed to the dealership because the problem was not resolved, causing the check engine light to come on and additional loss of transmission fluid, apparently coming from the main seal.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2022
issue with Death Wobble. Factory 2" leveling lift was installed. Shortly after that I had issues. I was informed to replace the steering damper. that didnt fix the issue. Then I replaced the drag link with a after market one and the issue is better. But it is still an issue on some roads. the death Wobble is still there.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
How the 2022 compares with other Gladiator years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks third for owner complaints among 6 Gladiator years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Steering3255
- Electrical2137
- Transmission1821
- Suspension66
- Engine57
- Fuel system44
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V652000ElectricalSep 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays.".
Risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
23V641000TransmissionSep 2023
Chrysler (FCA US), LLC is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The rearview camera may fail to display the rearview image and the reverse lights may not illuminate when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: A disabled rearview image can decrease the driver's visibility of the rear view, and disabled reverse lights may not alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the gear position sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 92A.
23V263000Fuel systemApr 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, and 2022-2023 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 01A.
23V116000TransmissionFeb 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
22V766000Seat beltsOct 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Ram 1500, Jeep Gladiator, and 2021 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The front seat belt retractors may have an improperly welded micro gas generator, which can result in seat belt pretensioner failure.
Risk: A seat belt with pretensioner failure may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front seat belt retractors. free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z95.
22V767000Fuel systemOct 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail, causing an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP and inspect and replace additional fuel system components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z96.
22V639000TransmissionAug 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The transmission parking wheel may not properly engage with the parking mechanism.
Risk: A malfunctioning parking mechanism may result in the loss of the 'park' position, including vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Entire US population are unsold units and will be repaired before they can be sold. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z84.
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