Jeep Gladiator engine problems, 2021–2027
85 of the 509 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Gladiator 2021–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2021 (54), 2022 (20), 2023 (7). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Jeep Gladiator engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 33% | — | 11 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 22 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 3 | 13% | — | 32 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 7 | 12% | — | 59 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 20 | 17% | — | 85 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 54 | 18% | — | 119 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2021: 3 · 2022: 33 · 2023: 14 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 22 · 2026: 5
Across the model years, half of the 13 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 14,000 and 26,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The vehicle randomly stalled out / died while idling, with the clutch pedal fully engaged. This poses a serious safety hazard as the vehicle may unexpected stall out at a traffic light or while driving resulting in a serious accident. The most likely risk is a stalled out vehicle in heavy traffic resulting in a rear end collision.
The vehicle’s throttle spikes / surges when the driver completely lifts off the accelerator and presses in the clutch. The issue indicates the throttle sticks after the driver lifts off the accelerator. The issue happens in multiple gears at various RPMs. The issue happens with or without the climate controls off.
Component Affected: Engine – Camshaft and Rocker Arms Summary of the Problem: My 2022 Jeep Gladiator experienced a failure of the camshaft and rocker arms due to scoring on the camshaft. This issue occurred at approximately 52,000 miles.
I am filing a safety complaint concerning my [Year] Jeep Gladiator (VIN: [Insert VIN]), which has experienced two high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures—the latest occurring on . This issue is directly related to the Jeep HPFP recall previously issued in 2023.
5800 miles, the engine failed due to a connecting rod failure. Chrysler replaced the engine at no cost. Oil changes were done at the year mark as the mileage limit was not reached. Dealership indicates they replace several 3.6 engines a month for warranty failures Castle Rock Jeep, Castle rock Colorado
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 5, 2026
- COVER - CYLINDER HEAD
- Jul 7, 2026
- CORE – HEATER
- Jul 7, 2026
- CORE – HEATER
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Jeep Gladiator
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Jeep Gladiator problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Jeep Gladiator years have the most engine complaints?
2021, 54; 2022, 20; 2023, 7. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (33%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Jeep Gladiator?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the Jeep Gladiator?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 20,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 14,000 and 26,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.