Is anybody happy with the new Gladiator

[Nurse K]

I have owned three Wranglers throughout the year and I am one of those people who have always loved driving a Jeep. It brings me joy and makes me smile. I also love that I can go just about anywhere in almost every weather condition or terrain. I bought my Gladiator at the end of July and did have the loose steering issue. They put in the new steering box and it drives like a dream. If I have another problem along the way I will get it fixed or trade it for another Gladiator.
This vehicle is Fun Meets Function. It tows really well; is a convertible; rides great; has all the upgrades I enjoy and best of all I’m back in a beloved Jeep. Might sound silly but I love the Jeep wave too. If you can get a good deal I say grab it. Because whatever money you save on the cost of the Gladiator you’ll need for the new bumper, winch, tires, lift etc.

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[unsocbl]

I have owned three Wranglers throughout the year and I am one of those people who have always loved driving a Jeep. It brings me joy and makes me smile. I also love that I can go just about anywhere in almost every weather condition or terrain. I bought my Gladiator at the end of July and did have the loose steering issue. They put in the new steering box and it drives like a dream. If I have another problem along the way I will get it fixed or trade it for another Gladiator.
This vehicle is Fun Meets Function. It tows really well; is a convertible; rides great; has all the upgrades I enjoy and best of all I’m back in a beloved Jeep. Might sound silly but I love the Jeep wave too. If you can get a good deal I say grab it. Because whatever money you save on the cost of the Gladiator you’ll need for the new bumper, winch, tires, lift etc.

Perfectly said! I've always had a Wrangler and a truck...now I have simplicity!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Perfectly said! I've always had a Wrangler and a truck...now I have simplicity!

Now you can drive both at once instead of having to choose...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Some folks around here take any criticism of an inanimate object as an affront to their honor.

Just lay offa my blue suede shoes.......

 

[YYCSahara]

New to the forum. Currently drive a 2018 Toyota Tundra and seriously considering trading for a Gladiator. I actually have a really good offer from a dealer now. But here is why I am hesitant. On this forum there is over 20 pages of complaints and issues. Are the Gladiators that bad? Should I reconsider. This will be my first Jeep. Any advise?

I had the current gen Tundra, followed by current gen Tacoma. I got a JL Wrangler next, one with the turbo and 48V battery. People told me I was nuts. I have LOVED every last minute of it!! 0 issues in year and a half. Have taken way more family trips off road with kids, doors off is a riot of them. The automatic transmission is light years ahead of Toyota's.
Now I know the Wrangler will NOT last as long as a Tacoma. But I'm not the type that keeps cars past warranty period anyways so that doesn't matter.

Reason I"m on this site, is I really want to get a Gladiator next, since I miss having a bed in the back.

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

New to the forum. Currently drive a 2018 Toyota Tundra and seriously considering trading for a Gladiator. I actually have a really good offer from a dealer now. But here is why I am hesitant. On this forum there is over 20 pages of complaints and issues. Are the Gladiators that bad? Should I reconsider. This will be my first Jeep. Any advise?

There are a few loud complainers about issues that are truly minor in the grand scheme of things. So-called first-world problems.

I have been active on this forum since January 2020. As far as I can tell, there have only been two serious problems identified: loose steering and manual transmission clutch recall. Both have been addressed by the manufacturer.

The MT recall only affected those Gladiators with MTs, obviously. If I remember, about 3000. Jeep since rectified that issue with Gladiators built after the Covid shutdown (including mine).

The loose steering apparently only affected a small percentage of Gladiators, as there are threads on here where many people said "no issues". In any case, Jeep has recently come out with a Technical Service Bulletin that instructs service departments how to fix it.

I have had my Gladiator for a month now, and in my opinion it is a true marvel of design, engineering, and quality of assembly.

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

. . . I am one of those people who have always loved driving a Jeep. It brings me joy and makes me smile. I also love that I can go just about anywhere in almost every weather condition or terrain. . .
This vehicle is Fun Meets Function. It tows really well; is a convertible; rides great; has all the upgrades I enjoy and best of all I’m back in a beloved Jeep.

Great summary!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There are a few loud complainers about issues that are truly minor in the grand scheme of things. So-called first-world problems.

I have been active on this forum since January 2020. As far as I can tell, there have only been two serious problems identified: loose steering and manual transmission clutch recall. Both have been addressed by the manufacturer.

The MT recall only affected those Gladiators with MTs, obviously. If I remember, about 3000. Jeep since rectified that issue with Gladiators built after the Covid shutdown (including mine).

The loose steering apparently only affected a small percentage of Gladiators, as there are threads on here where many people said "no issues". In any case, Jeep has recently come out with a Technical Service Bulletin that instructs service departments how to fix it.

I have had my Gladiator for a month now, and in my opinion it is a true marvel of design, engineering, and quality of assembly.

The issues you named were not of Jeep manufacture....... so although Jeep is responsible to the customer, a clutch and steering gear, unless Jeep makes their own now - could be - are supplier issues. Those can take more time to find, then FCA goes back and forth with the supplier, testing, proving, then the logistics of rollout, the legal staff that have to look at all of the involved documents, and they are an ISO company meaning the paper trail is crazy, deep records, even a minor revision must be tracked..... Frustrating as hell to the customer, but there are reasons things take the paths they do at times.
In electronics - I worked for a company that sold million dollar control systems, you can spec a component, test the heck out of it, it's good to go - then run into an issue and have to find the equivalent in another company. So you are using TI for the source of a part - works great, TI is having production problems so you cross to another company - you find that one won't work.
We had designs that were spec'd so tight that even the brand and revision of certain ICs and other parts were specified - if the company made a minor revision - we had to start over certifying that IC. Imagine that same situation in a vehicle......

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

The issues you named were not of Jeep manufacture....... so although Jeep is responsible to the customer, a clutch and steering gear, unless Jeep makes their own now - could be - are supplier issues. Those can take more time to find, then FCA goes back and forth with the supplier, testing, proving, then the logistics of rollout, the legal staff that have to look at all of the involved documents, and they are an ISO company meaning the paper trail is crazy, deep records, even a minor revision must be tracked..... Frustrating as hell to the customer, but there are reasons things take the paths they do at times.

Good to point this out. So many folks were complaining the "Jeep knows about the problem but won't fix it". They were wrong, of course, but I wonder why people assume they know reasons and motives.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Good to point this out. So many folks were complaining the "Jeep knows about the problem but won't fix it". They were wrong, of course, but I wonder why people assume they know reasons and motives.

I dunno - other than "not knowing something demands an explanation" so people are vulnerable to suggestion.
My father was a UAW member working in a factory for years and I learned a lot about the ways of factories, suppliers and more from him. Of course that was years ago, but still - even today not everything in or on a vehicle was made BY the maker of that vehicle. GM used Kelsey-Hayes wheels and brakes for decades...... so if there was a brake problem - could GM take care if it really fast? (MOPAR did as well) Some models used Bendix...... and there are contract issues between suppliers. My father sat out more than one day because of that. (then he had to work overtime when things were settled)

 

[Murgatroid]

After over a year and over 16k miles, I love my Gladiator. I have no misfire or steering problems. I drive mine like a sports car on winding roads. Find the acceleration responsive. It is the perfect vehicle for me, a convertible I can pull my sailboats with and run the beaches.

 

[Phljeeper]

There are a few loud complainers about issues that are truly minor in the grand scheme of things. So-called first-world problems.

I have been active on this forum since January 2020. As far as I can tell, there have only been two serious problems identified: loose steering and manual transmission clutch recall. Both have been addressed by the manufacturer.

The MT recall only affected those Gladiators with MTs, obviously. If I remember, about 3000. Jeep since rectified that issue with Gladiators built after the Covid shutdown (including mine).

The loose steering apparently only affected a small percentage of Gladiators, as there are threads on here where many people said "no issues". In any case, Jeep has recently come out with a Technical Service Bulletin that instructs service departments how to fix it.

I have had my Gladiator for a month now, and in my opinion it is a true marvel of design, engineering, and quality of assembly.

the only other relatively significant issue I know of was the rear driveshaft that left the factory without lubricant. I had that issue and the dealer chased it around a while until they finally replaced the driveshaft. Easy fix and not major but seemed to be a common issue for the first builds back in spring of 19. Overall though minimal issues for a first year vehicle (well sort of a first year).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I drive mine like a sports car on winding roads. Find the acceleration responsive.

That's funny you should say that - my wife drove my JT AGAIN, recently - her comment now after driving our other stuff "this thing's got no guts" (mentally comparing to the zip of the JT)

I had to laugh when I heard that again today after we left my JT at the dealer - on the way home she was driving my WJ and again "this thing's got no guts" She doesn't race around but she likes to GO when she presses that pedal, and the JT does just that. Need to pass or merge into heavy traffic? No sweat.

 

[MattLasee]

ABSOLUTELY LOVE OUR BLACK AND WHITE OVERLAND!

 

[jtim]

I get where you're coming from. I sold my 05 Tacoma to buy the Gladiator. I was strongly considering overhauling the Tacoma, but drove a Gladiator and fell in love with it. My first Jeep, and I'm happy with it. I figure it won't be as reliable as the Toyota was, but it will be easier to work on, and there is a ton of aftermarket support and upgrades to do.

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