Jeep Gladiator Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Jeep Gladiator model year (2020–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Jeep Gladiator Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 340 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 374
5 recalls · 213 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 250
5 recalls · 98 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 117
Best Jeep Gladiator Years to Buy
1 recall · 1 complaint
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 4
1 recall · 13 complaints
Main area: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 18
2 recalls · 18 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 24
Found the right year? Verify that specific Gladiator with a free VIN report.
Jeep Gladiator — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 13 | 1 | — | 18 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 2 | 18 | — | — | 24 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 4 | 38 | — | — | 50 | Good |
| 2022 | 5 | 98 | 2 | — | 117 | Good |
| 2021 | 5 | 213 | 11 | — | 250 | Avoid |
| 2020 | 6 | 340 | 8 | — | 374 | Avoid |
All 7 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Jeep Gladiator Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Gladiator models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 4 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Gladiator should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2020 Jeep Gladiator if possible. It has 6 recalls, 340 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 374 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Gladiator to buy?+
The 2026 Jeep Gladiator is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 4. It has only 1 recall and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which Gladiator has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2025, 2024 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Jeep Gladiator Research
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Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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