21 Gladiator Rubicon 1st Gear Whine from Launch

[TXJTR]

Hey guys - I am completely stuck here trying to isolate a noise. I have been to 2 different dealers and both claim they cannot replicate it, despite me driving techs around, leaving it for days, etc.

The back story - got a new to me 2021 Gladiator Rubicon (gas, auto) with about 17K miles on it back in October 2025. When I purchased it, I had it inspected by a Jeep dealer and they flagged it for a transmission fluid leak to be remedied by a new transmission pan gasket (and fluid service).

Long story short - they replaced the transmission pan gasket and refilled the trans, but I had to go back the next day becuase they underfilled it and it was making a buzzing sound (low fluid).

Well, the leaks persisted, this time they noted red fluid - transfer case. They replaced the input shaft seal, still leaked, so the entire transfer case was replaced under warranty. Frankly, I am wondering if they misdiagnosed the original "transmission leak" for a transfer case leak to begin with, but thats besides the point now.

What I am dealing with now is a high pitched "whine" in 1st gear, ONLY WHEN THE TRANS IS WARMED UP. When its cold, it does not make a sound. If the trans is in the range of 160-180 (per the guages) when I am at a stop and then leave from a stop in first gear, I get the whine around 1500 to 2500 RPM. It is a very crisp whine, then it goes away when it shifts to second gear. Occasionally, I will hear it in other gears, but very rarely.

I have attached 2 videos - one at mileage ~19K and another at mileage ~20.5K with the noise.

Could this possibly be something other than the trans? Could it be an alternator clutch bearing? Something else?

Appreciate any help here.

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[skater84]

My 2025 with about 17,000 on the odometer is making the same noise. I’m going to have it looked at when it goes in for its next oil change.

 

[TXJTR]

My 2025 with about 17,000 on the odometer is making the same noise. I’m going to have it looked at when it goes in for its next oil change.

Have you done any service yet to the trans or driveline? It just started making it on its own?

 

[skater84]

I haven’t touched any driveline components, only oil changes. It started about 2-3 weeks ago and like you it starts once the trans is warm. It more noticeable when accelerating from a stop and will change pitch depending on how much input it gets from the throttle. If I accelerate aggressively it will do it from 1-2 and 2-3. I feel like it has something to do with the torque converter. Unfortunately I have very little trust in the jeep dealerships near me because of past experiences with my other vehicles.

 

[JeepCares]

Hello! If your last appointment was within the last two weeks, please send us a private message with the last eight characters of the VIN, the mileage, and the name of the dealership you were working with.

Yenori
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[TXJTR]

I haven’t touched any driveline components, only oil changes. It started about 2-3 weeks ago and like you it starts once the trans is warm. It more noticeable when accelerating from a stop and will change pitch depending on how much input it gets from the throttle. If I accelerate aggressively it will do it from 1-2 and 2-3. I feel like it has something to do with the torque converter. Unfortunately I have very little trust in the jeep dealerships near me because of past experiences with my other vehicles.

Did you ever determine what was causing your noise?

 

[skater84]

Did you ever determine what was causing your noise?

Not yet, It’s been in the garage until I have time to get it into the shop.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

You said they underfilled the transmission and THEN it started making the noise. That puts all blame on them, so if you have a transmission failure in the future, they WILL be responsible since you have proof on paperwork they fucked it up.

But also, I CANNOT hear any whine in your videos, even with difference devices and volume maxxed out. 1st gear sounded like 2nd.


Get a quality mic with a good windsock, and tie that bitty somewhere under the hood/near the transmission. That's the only way you'll get good audio.

Also, when you take them for rides, make sure you are the FIRST PERSON they work with. Working in the auto industry will ruin your hearing for the day after 5 seconds of being in an active auto shop. I've had similar issues with a Toyota in the past, until I made them wait until it was the first thing they did that day, THEN they could "reproduce" the issue. They proceeded to break my driver side mirror off and tried lying about it, but I threatened legal action and a news interview. They thought they could screw a 19yo, FAFO.

Good luck.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

That’s not a transmission whine. That noise posted is audible “zing” and snaps through a very specific spot in the RPM. A transmission whine is a much higher, cleaner pitch and will carry through a lot longer through the RPM band. I’ve had that noise constantly in my 21 JTR and also in my 23 JTR.

MY 21 had 2 engines and 4 transmissions and that noise you posted, at that RPM, acceleration from stop was all the time, with all those changed out components.

Once, I had a new RAM as a loaner and heard the same thing.

As i said, I have it in my 23. I read one post here (sorry, can’t find it) where it was identified as an ABS sensor thing.

 

[TXJTR]

That’s not a transmission whine. That noise posted is audible “zing” and snaps through a very specific spot in the RPM. A transmission whine is a much higher, cleaner pitch and will carry through a lot longer through the RPM band. I’ve had that noise constantly in my 21 JTR and also in my 23 JTR.

MY 21 had 2 engines and 4 transmissions and that noise you posted, at that RPM, acceleration from stop was all the time, with all those changed out components.

Once, I had a new RAM as a loaner and heard the same thing.

As i said, I have it in my 23. I read one post here (sorry, can’t find it) where it was identified as an ABS sensor thing.

THANK YOU! This is the best information I have gotten from anyone here or let alone 2 dealers. I would much rather it be something other than the transmission, it just blew my mind that no one could identify it. It was too coincidental after the trans / transfer case work I had done.

Appreciate it.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

I found the thread. It was said in a thread I posted last year.
Read #7.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/squishy-fluid-sound.103481/post-1657331

 

[TXJTR]

I found the thread. It was said in a thread I posted last year.
Read #7.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/squishy-fluid-sound.103481/post-1657331

Thanks - the only thing about this thread is that it mentions the noise going away - mine is there after warm up. I am also experiencing a nice shudder at stop / start - needless to say its going back to the dealer to see if its possibly the torque convertor.

Thanks

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