Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2020 Jeep Gladiator Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
55about this part
Share
11%of 484 total for the year
Median mileage
12,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, 11% of the 484 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Very concerned about the clutch pressure plate recall, I am paying a lot of money for this Jeep that I dont feel safe driving as it can catch on fire. The fact that there is no fix right now is ridiculous. I have driven jeeps my whole life and never had a life threatening issue like this. If there is no solid solution I will never get another FCA again”

NHTSA complaint #11394957, filed 2021-02, 4,000 miles

“I entered the highway and my power steering light came on. I then lost power steering. Immediately got off at the next exit and pulled into the gas station. As I exited my vehicle I observed smoke coming from the hood vents. The engine bay then became fully engulfed in flames and the fire department responded to extinguish the fire. Vehicle is total loss.”

NHTSA complaint #11373567, filed 2020-11, 23,000 miles

“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 price. When can I return. Lmk.”

NHTSA complaint #11320767, filed 2020-04, 26 miles

“I was driving on the interstate at 70 MPH and noticed my rear locker light on my dash and switch. This should be impossible, I do not have a tazer and fat fingering the switch in 2h would only cause a message saying you must be in 4l. Anyway, I instinctively hit the all off button and the light started to flash. I headed for the nearest off ramp. When I slowed down, the light went off. …”

NHTSA complaint #11344202, filed 2020-08, 4,800 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11258523, filed 2019-09, 7,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202517%
202429%
2023814%
20222118%
20217124%
20205511%

Other parts of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator

Electrical system
183 complaintsSteering
181 complaintsEngine
45 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology