Is the 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR reliable?

The 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR has 630 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR?

Top problems: STEERING (181 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (180 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (54 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, SEAT BELTS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Contact any Jeep dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR?

The 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR is approximately $1,808/year (truck-fullsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Jeep GLADIATOR

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR has 630 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.8x the segment average of 167. The most common issue is steering problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: drifts/wanders all over the road at highway speed.. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 9 fire reports filed.

9 fire reports 12 crash reports 7 injuries

630

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

181 complaints

29%

• DRIFTS/WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED.
• I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK 3 WEEKS NOW AND ABOUT 1,000 MILES. THE ISSUE I HAVE US WITH THE STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ESPECIALLY. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A MODERN DAY VEHICLE WITH THIS MUCH STEERING PLAY. THIS PAST WEEKEND I TOOK A MOSTLY HIGHWAY TRIP AND IT WAS MENTALLY EXHAUSTING TO HAVE TO WORK THE STE
• THE STEERING BOX HAS AN UNACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF PLAY ACCORDING TO 49 CFR 570.60 - STEERING SYSTEM. IT HAS MORE THAN 2 INCHES (1 TO EACH SIDE) OF PLAY AND REQUIRES CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT. FCA HAS REVISED THE STEERING BOX 5 TIMES SO FAR AND IS ATTEMPTING TO MASK IT WI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“DRIFTS/WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR

Based on 248 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 3K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

190

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 500 mi · 115 reports

0-30K

111

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 1K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (7)

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT29/08/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The rear driveshafts may have been incorrectly assembled without grease in the monoblock joint.

Risk: A joint without grease may overheat and seize, possibly causing the driveshaft to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. If the driveshaft completely separates from the vehicle it may become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US number for this recall is V95.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Jeep GLADIATOR

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,808

Full coverage / month

$151

Liability only / year

$648

vs US avg

+8%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-fullsize)1.08x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1808

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Jeep GLADIATOR Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

20K mi

4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2020 GLADIATOR, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 630 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: DRIFTS/WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: STEERING; SCARY TO DRIVE ON HWY. MANUAL TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT GRINDS CLUTCH RELATED I THOUGHT THAT WAS NORMAL CAUSE IT WAS BRAND NEW AND NOT BROKEN IN. NOT SO PROBLEM STILL THERE. BACK UP CAMERA DOESN'T ALWAYS ENGAGE I WONDER IF THE MANUAL SHIFTING HAS ANY FLAWS. TOO MUCH CRAP FOR SUCH A HIGH P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 WITH APPROX SPEED OF 65. CAUGHT ON FIRE. FLAMES AND LOTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER JEEP. SMOKE ENTERED CAB. WHAT I THINK IS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEFT TRAIL ON INTERSTATE. I HAVE PHOTO.*DT*JB*DT *JS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FLOOR PANEL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BECAME SO HOT THAT IT BURNED THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S FOOT. THE CARPET ON THE FLOOR PANEL WAS REMOVED AND THERE WAS A WARNING NOT TO REMOVE THE CARPET BECAUSE THE EXHAUST SYST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)