The Lemon Index2020 Jeep Gladiator.
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 259 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 235, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 19 mpg combined. The best Jeep Gladiator year is 2022.
Lemon alert. 2.4× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2022
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 484 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Gladiator year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 26K miles on the car (212 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 44K–75K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 0K–3K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 4K–34K miles
Recalls 7
- electrical 2024
The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- transmission & drivetrain 2021
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Show all 7 recalls
- seat belts 2020
In the event of a crash, a front seat belt retractor may not properly slow the occupant's forward movement after locking.
- back over prevention 2020
A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- transmission & drivetrain 2019
The rear driveshafts may have been incorrectly assembled without grease in the monoblock joint.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 685 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- SEAL, Input If looking to replace stubshaft due to ATX fluid leaking, do not replace PTU seals
- Loud Scraping or Clunking Noise From the Front Suspension This bulletin involves inspecting…
- Noise From Front Axle Area Over Bumps
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenInstrument panel cluster (ipc) failure2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Gladiator PU/CC 4WD | not rated | ★★★★☆ | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Shaking of front suspension - steering wheel and front tires
2020 Jeep Gladiator owner · NHTSA complaint 11506667
More owner reports
The steering is loose and tends to wander, most noticeable going freeway speeds. I am constantly correcting it.
NHTSA complaint 11387780
Constant driver's correction in order to keep it going straight at highway speeds. Steering feels loose and has about 1"-2" play on either direction.
NHTSA complaint 11375084
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Jeep Gladiator reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 235; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Gladiator year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2020 Jeep Gladiator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (61%), transmission & drivetrain (12%) and suspension (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Jeep Gladiator have?
7 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Jeep Gladiator get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2020 Jeep Gladiator problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 300 and 26,200 miles. The middle report was at 3,000 miles, from 212 complaints.
Does the 2020 Jeep Gladiator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Jeep Gladiator cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Jeep Gladiator have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Gladiator year is better than the 2020?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works