2022 Gladiator Rubicon - Unexpected and intermittent engine power failure (turns itself off while driving)

[Daneo42]

Issues started spring 2023. While driving or at idle, engine would turn itself off. Highway, city, McDonalds drive thru, towing/not towing. Instances of this event in all situations. Took to dealer service Fall 2023, they replaced main battery under warranty due to negative terminal "deformities" which seemed to correct the issue as it didn't happen again. Fast forward to June 2024, traveling 75mph on 3 lane highway, engine turns itself off. Pull over to shoulder, get re-started after a couple minutes. The next day, driving in city streets 25mph, same thing happens twice. Take to same dealer again, they aren't able to recreate the issue "nothing they can do". contacted jeep cares, got a case number after a few days, but no instructions or guidance on what to do next. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

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[PuddleJumper]

If there is no check engine light or related code. You may have faulty component in the start/stop system. I wonder if its thinks your key fob is randomly not in the cabin. Could be as simple as changing the fob battery or replacing the start button. Not really enough info to do much more than speculate. I do know that our trucks can receive kill commands via wireless. Could be app related possibly?

 

[Daneo42]

Only mod is RedArc trailer brake controller. no check engine light. dealer found no relevant codes

If there is no check engine light or related code. You may have faulty component in the start/stop system. I wonder if its thinks your key fob is randomly not in the cabin. Could be as simple as changing the fob battery or replacing the start button. Not really enough info to do much more than speculate. I do know that our trucks can receive kill commands via wireless. Could be app related possibly?

 

[Daneo42]

After it randomly shuts off, the keyless start/stop status indicator lights (OFF/ACC/RUN) are all non-illuminated. We have to wait for the "OFF" status light to come back on, before we can push the button and start it back up. Sometimes it comes right back on, sometimes it takes several minutes and wire wiggling in the engine bay to get it back on. Has happened several times when both key fobs are present in the vehicle so not sure if a single fob battery issue would cause it, since they are both present. The truck has never left us stranded or in need of a tow. (have been able to re-start it after all occurences)

 

[JTGuy]

Well, you can spend a few years chasing it and replace a bunch of stuff. I would just trade it in unless there is a cure found. It's probably something simple but good luck finding it. This is a safety issue. Search out the lemon law in your state and get ready for it.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Check the fuse box and make sure there are no loose fuses or relays. Push down on each one and make sure they are all properly seated.

Check the voltage level on each battery. Pull the cable off the positive terminal of the main battery, make sure it does not touch anything metal in the engine bay. Fully charged, each battery should read 12.8 volts with no load. If either one reads below 12.4 volts, it may need replaced. If you do get a low reading, separately charge each battery. Let them sit for a while, and then check again.

 

[Blendsley]

Issues started spring 2023. While driving or at idle, engine would turn itself off. Highway, city, McDonalds drive thru, towing/not towing. Instances of this event in all situations. Took to dealer service Fall 2023, they replaced main battery under warranty due to negative terminal "deformities" which seemed to correct the issue as it didn't happen again. Fast forward to June 2024, traveling 75mph on 3 lane highway, engine turns itself off. Pull over to shoulder, get re-started after a couple minutes. The next day, driving in city streets 25mph, same thing happens twice. Take to same dealer again, they aren't able to recreate the issue "nothing they can do". contacted jeep cares, got a case number after a few days, but no instructions or guidance on what to do next. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

Good luck dealing with Stellantis, once you buy the car, you on longer exist to them. I made the first payment on my brand new Jeep Gladiator while they were trying to figure out why it didn’t run. Fast forward 2 years and the paint starts bubbling on the hood. The dealer told me that it would happen to the doors too, since Jeep failed to properly treat them to avoid corrosion. I asked Jeep to treat the doors when they replaced the hood and Jeep refused. It took 3 months for them to replace the hood, and while I was waiting on the hood, the transmission completely failed leaving me stranded in a snow storm. With only 16,000 miles on the Jeep the transmission had to be replaced. I traded it in for a Toyota when they finally got the hood replaced and customer service refused to call me back about the doors.
This should be Jeep’s new ad line.
Jeep, where quality is job None.

 

[DylanM]

When the engine randomly dies, is it just the engine that stops working or are other things also switching off such as the instrument cluster or radio stack? If the instrument cluster stays on, do the gauges display correctly or have they all zeroed out? When the engine dies and the ignition switch OFF light won't come back on, can you still lock and unlock the doors via the key fob buttons?

 

[Daneo42]

Well, you can spend a few years chasing it and replace a bunch of stuff. I would just trade it in unless there is a cure found. It's probably something simple but good luck finding it. This is a safety issue. Search out the lemon law in your state and get ready for it.

we were going to trade it in for something else at the same dealership but the early lease termination would have resulted in negative $12,000 equity. Luckily we are leasing it and it seems to run fine 99.99% of the time. Goes back to dealer under lease contract terms in May 2026. Silver lining

 

[Daneo42]

Good luck dealing with Stellantis, once you buy the car, you on longer exist to them. I made the first payment on my brand new Jeep Gladiator while they were trying to figure out why it didn’t run. Fast forward 2 years and the paint starts bubbling on the hood. The dealer told me that it would happen to the doors too, since Jeep failed to properly treat them to avoid corrosion. I asked Jeep to treat the doors when they replaced the hood and Jeep refused. It took 3 months for them to replace the hood, and while I was waiting on the hood, the transmission completely failed leaving me stranded in a snow storm. With only 16,000 miles on the Jeep the transmission had to be replaced. I traded it in for a Toyota when they finally got the hood replaced and customer service refused to call me back about the doors.
This should be Jeep’s new ad line.
Jeep, where quality is job None.

Luckily we didn't buy it outright. My loyalty to the Jeep brand has been largely diminished due to this issue, as well as from reading some of the horror stories that all of you have gone thru as well.

 

[Daneo42]

When the engine randomly dies, is it just the engine that stops working or are other things also switching off such as the instrument cluster or radio stack? If the instrument cluster stays on, do the gauges display correctly or have they all zeroed out? When the engine dies and the ignition switch OFF light won't come back on, can you still lock and unlock the doors via the key fob buttons?

The AC definitely stops blowing cold when the engine cuts off. I will make a mental note for next occurrence to check cluster behavior, radio stack, gauges etc. I will also double check fob lock/unlock when ignition switch lights are all out. If I remember correctly, the fob buttons do nothing while the ignition switch lights are all off

 

[Daneo42]

Check the fuse box and make sure there are no loose fuses or relays. Push down on each one and make sure they are all properly seated.

Check the voltage level on each battery. Pull the cable off the positive terminal of the main battery, make sure it does not touch anything metal in the engine bay. Fully charged, each battery should read 12.8 volts with no load. If either one reads below 12.4 volts, it may need replaced. If you do get a low reading, separately charge each battery. Let them sit for a while, and then check again.

Went thru the entire fuse box and checked/pushed seating on all fuses/relays. Dealer service center checked both batteries and said they were good.

 

[Stan H]

Good luck dealing with Stellantis, once you buy the car, you on longer exist to them. I made the first payment on my brand new Jeep Gladiator while they were trying to figure out why it didn’t run. Fast forward 2 years and the paint starts bubbling on the hood. The dealer told me that it would happen to the doors too, since Jeep failed to properly treat them to avoid corrosion. I asked Jeep to treat the doors when they replaced the hood and Jeep refused. It took 3 months for them to replace the hood, and while I was waiting on the hood, the transmission completely failed leaving me stranded in a snow storm. With only 16,000 miles on the Jeep the transmission had to be replaced. I traded it in for a Toyota when they finally got the hood replaced and customer service refused to call me back about the doors.
This should be Jeep’s new ad line.
Jeep, where quality is job None.

You think that's bad , when I purchased my Jeep I was under the understanding that I was purchasing an extended warranty with the jeep. When I had an issue arise and took it in they informed me that I did not have a extended warranty. I carried a card around for 74,000 miles. And it was crap. Turned out to be a ticking injector which was solved with some fuel treatment & some good fortune. So Now I have 97500 miles on my Gladiator and it is still going strong. I decided at that very moment that I would place my lift and tires,winch,bumper and when the time comes engine and transmission. I just recently did a flashcal because they wouldn't even change the tire setting for me. I love my truck. But I was mislead when I bought it and to my dismay I was too dumb to realize it.
I will eventually have a V8 in this Jeep and a bigger transmission or a built up transmission. I intend to regear it this year. I dont have the cash flow some do so it one thing at a time. It will happen. I actually call about purchasing an extended warranty before 75000 miles and was told I had to pay in advance and also pay for someone to ride in it and check it out ..blah blah blah.. I decided they could shove it. I aint whining ,I just am telling you just grab the bull by the horns and fix it yourself like I did and forget Chrysler. This is still the toughest truck I ever owned.

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