Diesel Gladiator Sway Bar Disconnect / Vehicle shut off problem

[DanW]

Last year on the highway after a long trip in my 21’ eco diesel. Driving down highway and the sway bar disconnect /svc 4wd light came on and killed the engine. Had it towed to the dealership who said their was water in my fuel system and also that I needed a “new chip” both took over 6 months to fix due to part shortage and 2k$ to tow across the state the rest of the way home.

Fast forward to today, my swaybar disconnect unavailable light is turning on again at highway speeds, at red lights and at speeds of 35. Jeep hasn’t died yet but I’m sure it will. Scheduled for another trip to North Carolina in 2 weeks. Which I’ll have to cancel. I can’t take this thing on a simple road trip let alone overlanding confidently. Should have bought a Toyota. After probably nearly 50k$ in upgrades I’m left with a Jeep to sell I won’t get nearly that back. Looking to sell it for something reliable now. Maybe a Toyota. But I’m going to miss the torque of this diesel. It was great when it worked. Taking it to the dealer who I’m sure again will give some bs story. I think there’s an electrical system problem with these jeeps.

Too late. I have one.

Sarcasm aside, my 2008 JK had some weird issues and stranded me on the side of of a road. I unplugged the sway bar disconnect's electrical connection and the problems stopped. I installed a manual sway bar disconnect knob and never had another issue. Not sure if yours had anything to do with it, but I think those things can be wonky. I've never had an issue with my 2018 JL nor my JT, but if I do, that same manual disconnect is available and will be purchased.

I hope you get it resolved or find something you like and that it serves you well. Nobody likes or deserves a lemon.

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[Slojo]

I used to be a Toyota fan girl..... and my whole family (as a kid) used to be Toyota fans...... I've had at least a couple that had transmission failures.

The Tacoma's had a HUGE frame rust recall - It was HUGE!! The frames were rusting from the inside out. To look at the frame from the outside, you couldn't tell it was rotting. Toyota (at first) was spraying undercoating - but that quickly changed to frame replacements. There were sooo many trucks getting new frames. My 2007 failed the frame inspection and had the frame replaced. I have photos of it (at the dealership) as a rolling chassis. It was scary... and to be honest, that truck was never the same after they tore it apart. So, I traded it in for a GMC Canyon.

That 2016 GMC Canyon was awesome for 8 years that I owned it...... I was worried about it because we'd never owned a GMC before.

So, sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't.... I don't have any sort of brand loyalty anymore. We buy what we want and hope for the best.

Crossing fingers, crossing arms, crossing legs, crossing toes and everything else inbetween.....

My daughter owns my 2016 Chevrolet Colorado now, 95k and zero issues. That was the V6 with 6 speed. I used to average 24 mpg highway. I looked at the new trucks with their turbo 4s and they do no better with more complicated transmissions and I have to wonder what is the point of all the "improvements".

 

[RobbertCole]

Last year on the highway after a long trip in my 21’ eco diesel. Driving down highway and the sway bar disconnect /svc 4wd light came on and killed the engine. Had it towed to the dealership who said their was water in my fuel system and also that I needed a “new chip” both took over 6 months to fix due to part shortage and 2k$ to tow across the state the rest of the way home.

Fast forward to today, my swaybar disconnect unavailable light is turning on again at highway speeds, at red lights and at speeds of 35. Jeep hasn’t died yet but I’m sure it will. Scheduled for another trip to North Carolina in 2 weeks. Which I’ll have to cancel. I can’t take this thing on a simple road trip let alone overlanding confidently. Should have bought a Toyota. After probably nearly 50k$ in upgrades I’m left with a Jeep to sell I won’t get nearly that back. Looking to sell it for something reliable now. Maybe a Toyota. But I’m going to miss the torque of this diesel. It was great when it worked. Taking it to the dealer who I’m sure again will give some bs story. I think there’s an electrical system problem with these jeeps.

bud...youre ah, sorta preaching to the wrong choir here.

 

[Retiredguy52]

I find 50k in improvements or extras a little hard to believe. You have approximately over 100k in your gladiator and whining about how bad it is? Seems like you could have figured that out a long time ago before just throwing money at it to do whatever. Maybe you need a Prius.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

I wanted to buy an Ineos Grenadier but due to several issues it was not happening.

My wife drew my attention to the gladiator and after a test drive I knew thats it.

After 1 1/2 years and 17K miles without any problems I am still absolutly happy with this vehicle and would buy it again immediatly.

And I am not going to leave this forum ...

 

[Free2roam]

I have read on here about a wire harness that is up against the exhaus manifold, I think, that melts and causes problems. Have you looked into that? Hope you get it fixed quickly, otherwise we will look for you in the "O" thread.

We know "It's the last Jeep he'll ever own" LMAO

 

[MarkusAurelius]

I find 50k in improvements or extras a little hard to believe. You have approximately over 100k in your gladiator and whining about how bad it is? Seems like you could have figured that out a long time ago before just throwing money at it to do whatever. Maybe you need a Prius.

Yeah man maybe 50k is an exaggeration. Rsi smart cap Clayton lift 37”s roof rack. Roof top tent awning bed drawer system fridge rear seat delete whatever all that comes out to be with all my camping and off road gear. Maybe 25k? I’ll let whoever wants to hold me to the dollar amount add it up themselves.

 

[MarkusAurelius]

We know "It's the last Jeep he'll ever own" LMAO

Legit would buy a 2025 if they made them in diesel

 

[Bonanza]

The reason I wouldn't buy a gladiator is that it's underpowered and overpriced, but not reliability. That said, as much as I complain my gladiator could be better, I just did John Bull and it was so easy I was bored. I will say there is a lot of head tossing and I hit my head a few times on the B pillar, but other than that, this is the umteenth time I've been wheeling in the past decade+ on this engine with no issues to report at all. I'd like more power, but I like reliability more.

 

[chr15m]

Drive what you love, the rest is really all just a roll of the dice.

Im only here because I spent 10yrs driving Toyotas for their "reliability". Started with a 2011 FJ I loved and traded (mistake) for a 2016 Tacoma that I Lemon lawed. Later traded my 2018 Tacoma for rear diff issues, had a great 19 Pro Tundra totaled by a negligent driver rear ending me at 60. Finally got a 2021 Tundra and it had the cam tower leak theyre known to have. Some issues are deal breakers, others are enough to motivate you to sell, but only because you aren't in love. With the exception of the 2019 Tundra and the 2011 FJ every Toyota we've had, has had some issues. The current generations appear to be worse.

I passed on a Jeep in 2016 because I was unsure about their reliability. My 2022 JTM has been a good build and I wonder why I waited so long. I'm biased though, because in the end I love the Jeep.

 

[PW45]

I rebuilt the sway bar disconnect on my 08 jkur twice and it still was acting up when I got rid of it. One of the reasons I went with the Mojave this time around. Not sure if they've changed the mechanism, but the old one was just a slip collar that a little actuator plug pushed or pulled. I think the current FAD uses a similar system.

 

[DanW]

I rebuilt the sway bar disconnect on my 08 jkur twice and it still was acting up when I got rid of it. One of the reasons I went with the Mojave this time around. Not sure if they've changed the mechanism, but the old one was just a slip collar that a little actuator plug pushed or pulled. I think the current FAD uses a similar system.

I believe it is updated, but still basically the same design. I have read that the solenoid and software have been improved. My JK did fine with the manual knob installed in place of the solenoid. Mechanically, it never had an issue. Only something in the electronic or electrical part of the system.

My JLUR has 96,000 miles on it and I've used that disconnect many, many times and it's been just fine.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

My gladiator diesel is bar none the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.
I’d buy another in a second without even debating it. Sucks you’ve had an issue but telling people not to buy them is not the right move and is definitely not sound advice

 

[MarkusAurelius]

My gladiator diesel is bar none the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.
I’d buy another in a second without even debating it. Sucks you’ve had an issue but telling people not to buy them is not the right move and is definitely not sound advice

I changed the title for you. But it doesn’t change that I wouldn’t recommend a diesel gladiator to someone. Mine is unreliable. It cannot be trusted deep in the back country. Not my fault the factory components are acting bezerk and the dealership doesn’t know why and that it’s a problem other people have without a legit solution. For what I use it for, I need to be able to trust it. But based off this forum, it gave me motivation to try to fix the problem. Maybe an after market sway bar who knows. Maybe I’ll get a Cadillac sedan instead and stop overlanding.

 

[Camaroboi13]

If you drop 50k in upgrades on the Cadillac sedan you can probably overland in that too

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