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Are you shopping for a Jeep Gladiator? New and used options serve as excellent trucks to consider, but there are a few things you need to know first. Before you get a 2022 Jeep Gladiator or an older model, do your research. Never go in blind!

What you should know about the 2022 Jeep Gladiator 

A grey 2021 Jeep Gladiator parked on rocky terrain
2021 Jeep Gladiator | Jeep

The team at ShiftingLanes put together a list of what drivers should know before purchasing a 2022 Jeep Gladiator or a used option. The purpose of this list is to inform you about potential Jeep Gladiator problems before you decide to purchase one. 

It’s a great truck to consider, especially for off-roading and adventuring. But it’s still essential to address previous service bulletins, recalls, and reliability rankings compared to rivals such as the Toyota Tacoma. 

The potential Gladiator issues 

ShiftingLanes found two common issues that Gladiator drivers face. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator seems to wander at high speeds. You have to constantly adjust the steering wheel to keep going straight. 

It’s porbably unlikely, but when test-driving a 2022 Jeep Gladiator there is a small chance that it may start pulling to the right or left. This is a widely known issue that’s referenced online. But despite having numerous complaints posted to the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there hasn’t been a recall. Also, this issue may have been resolved among newer models.

If your Gladiator is prone to this issue, you can have it fixed. Schedule a maintenance appointment at your local Jeep dealership, and technicians will replace the steering gear or update the Electric Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS) software as needed. 

The 2020 Gladiator has a recall because the clutch pressure plate was prone to overheating. Overheating may cause the clutch pressure plate to overheat and fracture, increasing the risk of fire. 

If the problem develops, drivers may notice a burnt odor. But Jeep has remedied this issue by updating the software to reduce engine torque if the clutch assembly’s temperature climbs too high. 

Other smaller recalls involved the seatbelts failing to lock and the rear driveshaft missing grease in the monoblock joint. The lack of grease increased the risk of accidents, but Jeep remedied these issues for free. 

How reliable is the Gladiator? 

A red 2021 Jeep Gladiator, with a diesel engine, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is one of the most fuel-efficient new pickups
2021 Jeep Gladiator | Stellantis

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator is expected to be a reliable choice. It ranks in second place on Consumer Report’s list of the best compact trucks for 2021. The Honda Ridgeline is in first place. 

What’s surprising is that the Gladiator has an excellent reliability rating. It has a score of five out of five, which is well above average for its class. Some may say that the Gladiator hasn’t been out long enough to really be tested, though. 

What hurts the Gladiator’s ranking is its poor fuel economy. It gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and up to 28 mpg on the highway. The Gladiator also has a bit of a bumpy and noisy ride, but that’s due to its off-roading components.  

The Gladiator serves as an excellent option if you want something that’s off-road-ready. The high-reliability rankings provide confidence in this beast as a dependable truck. It’s only behind the Honda Ridgeline because the unibody frame makes the Ridgeline more comfortable while compromising its off-roading capabilities.

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