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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Jeep Gladiator2020–2026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚛 TRUCK
Jeep Gladiator
2020–2026
C+
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
2.5/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
High
0 inj.
Open Federal Investigation ×3
Engineering Analysis: fuel system, diesel
50% of EA investigations historically become recalls
15
Recalls
0
Complaints
2021
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2020
7
Years Analyzed
15
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Jeep Gladiator

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK3yr old
2023
Good Buy · 69/100
Reliability67/100
Value window74/100
Recalls2
Complaints0
#2 PICK2yr old
2024
Good Buy · 67/100
Reliability69/100
Value window64/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Jeep Gladiator Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2020

5 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2021

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2022

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall.

OPEN · EAEngineering Analysisopened Mar 2023NHTSA #EA23001
high pressure fuel pump failure
Component: fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump · affects 2021–2022
⚠ Historically, 50% of EA investigations became recalls — an in-depth Engineering Analysis — the most serious stage, just before a recall decision.
OPEN · PEPreliminary Evaluationopened Oct 2025NHTSA #PE25014
instrument panel cluster (ipc) failure
Component: electrical system: instrument cluster/panel · affects 2020
⚠ Historically, 30% of PE investigations became recalls — a Preliminary Evaluation of a potential safety defect.
OPEN · PEPreliminary Evaluationopened Sep 2024NHTSA #PE24024
underhood fires
Component: steering:hydraulic power assist:pump · affects 2021–2023
⚠ Historically, 30% of PE investigations became recalls — a Preliminary Evaluation of a potential safety defect.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 13, 2026.

Jeep Gladiator — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202610——
69
36
57
Good
202500——
69
51
63
Excellent
202410——
69
64
67
Good
202320——
67
74
69
Caution
202230——
61
81
68
Caution
202130——
61
84
69
Caution
202050——
49
83
61
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Gladiator compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 69).

Best: 2021
2021 · 692023 · 692022 · 682024 · 672025 · 632020 · 612026 · 57

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Gladiator to buy?+

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator scores highest on our Buyer Score (69/100) — combining a reliability score of 67/100 with a value score of 74/100. It has 2 recalls and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Gladiator years have the most problems?+

The 2020, 2021, 2022 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2020 Gladiator leads with 5 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Gladiator problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Jeep Gladiator.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar truck vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Gladiator year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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