2021 JEEP GLADIATOR Complaints

The vehicle’s Auto Start / Stop System activates and shuts off the vehicle while the instrument cluster reads “STOP/START NOT READY”, in direct conflict with owner’s manual. Per the owner’s manual, the first condition for an Auto Stop with a manual transmission is that the instrument cluster must read “READY”. Other Jeep vehicles, clearly show “READY” on the instrument cluster before shutting off. However, the Jeep Gladiator presents a false / incorrect “NOT READY” notification to the driver on the instrument cluster before shutting off. This anomaly with the Auto Stop / Start System distracts the driver and creates confusion impeding normal driving operations such as stopping at traffic lights / signs, pedestrian areas, and parking lots. This poses a serious safety hazard as the vehicle will unexpectedly shut off when the driver is not prepared and presented with an incorrect notification warning. In heavy traffic, this could lead to a stalled vehicle and a rear-end collision. The “NOT READY” malfunction was reproduced and confirmed by multiple service personnel at 2 different dealership, who expressed safety concerns. The “NOT READY” malfunction was also recreated by 4 independent mechanic shops and documented as a safety concern. However, an FCA Technical Advisor (TA) claimed that the vehicle was “operating as designed“. The vehicle is NOT operating as designed, as the Jeep design engineers would likely not design a vehicle that presents blatantly incorrect information to the driver. If this display screen on the instrument provides false information to the driver, other displays may also provide false readings to the driver. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

The vehicle’s throttle surges sporadically when shifting gears without driver input to the accelerator / controls. The issue impacts the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely in heavy traffic or dynamic situations. The throttle surges while shifting introduce delays to driver reaction times, and they create a safety hazard in heavy traffic where fractions of a second can make the difference in a major accident. The throttle surge while shifting malfunction was reproduced and confirmed by multiple service personnel at the local dealership. However, the Service Director falsified and backdated the service records to claim that they “couldn’t duplicate concern” and that the “vehicle is driving normal.” The throttle surge while shifting was recreated by 4 independent mechanic shops and documented as a safety concern. An FCA Technical Advisor (TA) claimed that the vehicle was “operating as designed“ both when he could not recreate the issue and when he could recreate the issue. Both of these statements cannot be correct and factual as they directly contradict each other. Additionally, the FCA TA claimed that the vehicle is equipped with Rev Matching; however, the vehicle’s owner’s manual and available technical documentation do not mention Rev Matching. And, the issue occurs while braking when a vehicle would not intend to Rev Match. The randomness of this throttle surge issue also causes the driver to briefly take their eyes off the road between every shift to check the tachometer for the throttle surge malfunction. Distractions like this which divert the driver’s attention during what should be routine driving tasks, creating a safety hazard. To account for the unexpected throttle spike, the driver must deviate from a normal driving routine by taking extra steps and inducing significant delays in response times. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

The vehicle’s throttle bounces and surges off idle, in direct opposition to the driver’s inputs to the controls. After the driver lifts off the accelerator and engages the clutch, the RPMs drop slowly to idle, then the throttle regularly bounces and surges without user input to the controls by ~500 to ~1,500 RPMs. The issue occurs while driving in every gear and or in neutral. The issue occurs frequently but not every time. The issue occurs with or without the driver’s foot on the brake. The failure to maintain idle malfunction was reproduced and confirmed by multiple service personnel at the local dealership. However, the Service Director falsified and backdated the service records to claim that they “couldn’t duplicate concern” and that the “vehicle is driving normal.” The throttle spike off idle was recreated by 4 independent mechanic shops and documented as a safety concern. An FCA TA claimed that the vehicle was “operating as designed“ both when he could not recreate the issue and when he could recreate the issue. Both of these statements cannot be correct and factual as they directly contradict each other. The throttle bounce and spike off idle substantially impairs the vehicle’s use as it impacts normal driving operations such as shifting, accelerating, and braking. The throttle bounce off idle creates as serious safety hazard as it causes the driver to delay or miss shifts in heavy traffic and divert attention from the road to the instrument cluster. The issue also creates a serious safety hazard as it induces driver confusion by making them think they accidentally pressed the accelerator while shifting. The claims of “operating as designed” indicates that the Jeep Gladiator Engineering Design Team designed a vehicle to spike the throttle without driver inputs to the controls. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

The vehicle’s throttle spikes / surges when the driver completely lifts off the accelerator and presses in the clutch. The issue indicates the throttle sticks after the driver lifts off the accelerator. The issue happens in multiple gears at various RPMs. The issue happens with or without the climate controls off. The issue regularly occurs in 4th gear at 44 mph at ~1900 RPMs. On 1/26/2021 while on a ride along, the customer and Service Tech at Texan DCJR were able to recreate the issue multiple times. On 1/29/2021, the Service Director at Texan DCJR stated to the customer that he and 3 members of his team were able to recreate the issue multiple times. However, the Service Director falsified and backdated the service records to 1/28/2021 claiming that they “couldn’t duplicate concern” and that the “vehicle is driving normal.” After two inspections, the FCA TA claimed that he “couldn’t duplicate concern”, the “vehicle is driving normal”, and that the vehicle was “operating as designed”. Then on 9/17/2021, the FCA TA was able to recreate the issue multiple times, but the FCA TA continued to state that the vehicle was “operating as designed“. The FCA TA contradictory claims the vehicle was “operating as designed” both when he could not recreate the issue and when he could recreate the issue. This throttle surge issue substantially impairs the vehicle’s use as it impacts shifting gears and normal driving operation. The issue occurs sporadically which surprises and distracts the driver creating a serious safety hazard as attention is diverted from the road to the instrument cluster. The issue also creates a serious safety hazard as it induces driver confusion by making them think they accidentally pressed the accelerator while shifting. The claims of “operating as designed” indicates that the Jeep Gladiator Engineering Design Team designed a vehicle to spike the throttle without driver inputs to the controls. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

The vehicle randomly stalled out / died while idling, with the clutch pedal fully engaged. This poses a serious safety hazard as the vehicle may unexpected stall out at a traffic light or while driving resulting in a serious accident. The most likely risk is a stalled out vehicle in heavy traffic resulting in a rear end collision. The vehicle stall out and failure to maintain idle malfunction was reported to the local dealership and an FCA Technical Advisor (TA). The vehicle’s stall out was witnessed and documented by an independent mechanic. However, the dealership and FCA TA continue to state that the vehicle is “operating as designed” and that “this is normal characteristic of the vehicle”. These claims indicate that the Jeep Gladiator Engineering Design Team intentionally designed the vehicle to stall out with the driver completely pressing in the clutch pedal. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

The vehicle fails to maintain idle. During normal driving conditions the idle spikes significantly and noticeable from 200 – 2,000 RPMs. The throttle surges unpredictably without driver input to the controls. The failure of the vehicle to maintain idle creates a serious safety hazard as it distracts the driver’s attention and substantially impairs the vehicle’s use during routine driving tasks. The failure to maintain idle malfunction was reproduced and confirmed by multiple service personnel at the local dealership. However, the Service Director falsified and backdated the service records to claim that they “couldn’t duplicate concern” and that the “vehicle is driving normal.” An FCA TA stated that, “There are certain scenarios where the engine's idle speed may increase normally without accelerator input, this would include A/C operation or alternator charging requirements, however the difference in rpm is very slight and most people do not notice it and it will not cause the vehicle to gain or lose speed.” However, the malfunction occurs with a fully charged battery and the climate controls off, and it is highly noticeable. The FCA TA stated that the vehicle was “operating as designed” when he could not recreate the failure to maintain idle malfunction. However, the same FCA TA stated the vehicle was “operating as designed” after he was able to recreate the failure to maintain idle. Both of these statements cannot be factually correct as they directly contradict. Four independent mechanic shops evaluated the vehicle and were able to recreate the failure to maintain idle. A new Service Director and a Service Manager at another dealership both recreated / observed the failure to maintain idle and said that it was not right. However, after inspecting the vehicle again the FCA TA stated that “this is normal characteristic of the vehicle”, implicating Jeep Gladiator Engineering Design Team. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

At highway speeds this vehicle wanders constantly. Keeping it in lane is more than a full time job. Windy conditions and or vehicle passing is a white knuckle experience . Looking at any of the jeep gladiator forums, this condition is a continuing condition / concern.

Experienced death wobble-violent shaking of steering wheel and car side to side -on highway on 1/6/2022. It happened twice, 5 mins from my home. Both incidents occurred in expressway. Once while traveling 70mph and had to swiftly change two lanes in rush hour traffic to the slow lane. The shaking stopped stop at reduced speed to 50. Then the second time minutes later I was going 57mph in the slow lane and the violent shaking started again. Luckily it was at my homes exit. I slowed down and drove the 4 blocks on the streets straight to my garage. Called Jeep next morning and they can’t pick it up until Wednesday, January 12. Bought this truck brand new from Jeep in May 2021. When I test drove it, steering pulled to one side. Had it aligned as part of the purchase. Months later I had steering problems and took it to them and they changed the track bar. A few weeks ago I did an oil change with them and they rotated the tires. And now I got the death wobble twice yesterday. There’s something in the suspension that’s either broken, loose, or worn out. I don’t feel safe.

Multiple incidences of death wobble at higher speeds... Primarily on interstate after going over minor defects in road... overpass, etc... Getting more frequent.. requires slowing way down to 40 mph to correct.

There is a failure of the vehicle’s Brake Throttle Override (BTO) system which poses a serious safety hazard. When braking the throttle will surge from ~500 to ~1,500 RPMs without driver input (foot completely off the accelerator pedal, clutch pedal pressed in, and applying brake pedal). Despite the driver’s foot firmly engaging the brake pedal, the vehicle sends rogue commands to the throttle to surge in the direction opposition to the driver’s inputs and intentions. The BTO malfunction creates a serious safety hazard as it impacts stopping distance. It also causes driver distraction / confusion causing them to second guess that they accidentally brushed the accelerator, which could lead to a serious accident. There is a significant risk that the vehicle’s BTO system may not prevent an unintended acceleration (UA) event leading to severe injury or death. For driver safety, the BTO system should be fully operational and the throttle should not spike while braking. The BTO malfunction was reproduced and confirmed by multiple service personnel at the local dealership. However, the Service Director falsified and backdated the service records to claim that they “couldn’t duplicate concern” and that the “vehicle is driving normal.” An FCA Technical Advisor (TA) inspected the vehicle, and he stated that “the brake pedal should always take precedence over the accelerator”. The FCA TA stated that the vehicle was “operating as designed” when he could not recreate the issue. However, the same FCA TA stated the vehicle was “operating as designed” after he was able to recreate the throttle surge while braking multiple times. Both of these statements cannot be factually correct as they directly contradict. The FCA TA claims that vehicle is “operating as designed” indicating that the Jeep Engineering Team violated the BTO standard governing the safe operation of a motor vehicle when designing the Gladiator. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.