Have you ever wondered if buying a Jeep Gladiator is worth it? Well, why not ask a mechanic about trucks! That’s what a few TikTok users did, and now there are solid answers about this unique Jeep truck to consider. 

Is the Jeep Gladiator worth buying? 

TikTok user and mechanic, @royaltyautoservice, provides an honest answer about if the Jeep Gladiator is worth buying. 

While he admits that the truck looks good and has the potential to be fun, it could come at a price. Reportedly, there is always a Gladiator truck in his shop. 

It’s because the engine is unreliable. Then he climbs into a model with 44,675 miles on the odometer. He starts it up, and white smoke spills out of the engine as it makes an unsettling ticking noise. 

The shop sees a lot of Jeep trucks with valve train or camshaft problems. But this model has a different problem, as those components have been replaced. Also, new lifters were installed. The issue is that the piston is binding up. 

He said that it’s almost to the Kia level of problems with how often they work on Gladiator models. If Jeep fixes the motor, then the Gladiator will be worth buying. 

Does the Gladiator have engine problems?

The Jeep Gladiator is known for a few different engine problems. The 3.6-liter Pentastar engine has a slight reputation for leaking. Also, there are complaints about the camshafts, lifters, and rockers. But a software update may resolve stalling or hesitation problems. 

Sometimes, faulty spark plugs, fuel injectors, throttle bodies, and fuel pumps fail, causing performance problems. 

But according to Car Complaints, the Gladiator has an extremely low number of reported engine problems. The 2022 model only has 11 complaints. 

How reliable is the Jeep Gladiator? 

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator has a reliability rating of 87 out of 100 from J.D.Power, which is one of the highest scores I’ve ever seen.

Scores between 70 and 80 are average, while anything between 81 and 90 is above average. Rankings between 91 and 100 are best. 

These scores are based on ownership feedback after three years. Surveys are sent to drivers, allowing them to report any problems they’ve faced. Everything from the engine to the paint and electronics are included.