Gladiator is Tops in 2023 Initial Quality Study for Midsize Trucks (JD Power)

[ecidiego]

2 years 11.5k....just the rear window so far. Frame is cracked in 9 places...leaked like the Titanic. Silicone vacuum hose took care of it.

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[DesertDog]

I love my JTD but every year, taking my son back to college in Missoula, Montana, things go smoothly until we are in the most dangerously remote area and something major blows, and we end up in limp mode. Last year, the turbo charger blew and we had to abandon it in Butte, Montana for a month. Yesterday, it was something else. The message says exhaust system service. The dealership is not open yet so no further information, but this limp mode crap is unacceptably dangerous hour after hour in remote sections of the west.

Three years now and we have yet to actually make it there and back successfully.

Of course I keep getting the urgent emails about the fuel pump recall which is not possible to remedy since Jeep refuses to manufacture the parts. At least oil and filters has become available. ThreeJeeps, ‘19,’20’, and the ‘21 and two out of three are currently in the shop, while the maintenance department scratches their heads.

 

[Tim H]

With less the 30K miles I've only had a leaking back window, a leaking transfer case, a radiator fan go bad (left me stranded in AR), issues with slow cam sensors (x2), and cam go flat, all as individual problems. Currently it's in ND where it left me standed (I live in KS). It's been there for over 30 days. This time the intake phaser, solenoid, and OCV where replaced. (The right intake was not adjusting at all) They also replaced the oil control valve button and a timing chain gear. It has been repaired for 2 weeks, I'm still waiting on Jeep Wave to transport it back to my local dealer. (Insert sarcasm here) So yeah, other than that its been fine.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I brought mine home and that same afternoon I tilted the back seat down to check out the storage space and a plastic trim part fell off the back seat and out the door. Tab was bent on it - wasn't installed correctly on the line. Bent tab back, put it on correctly.

Back window leaks (fixed with vacuum hose).

Driver side door panel squeaks/rattles at the top by the glass sometimes. I'm going to pull the door panel off and put a thin strip of foam tape up there.

Hard top has its usual squeaks / pops sometimes like my JK did. No amount of checking screw tightness, or re-seating the panels makes a difference. Just the nature of a removable Jeep.

Seven check engine lights. Probably the same CCDIFF or whatever issue @ShadowsPapa pointed out based on the circumstanced I recorded. I saved the TSB, just haven't dealt with it yet.

13,000 miles, 13 months.

It's no better or worse than any other new car I've owned (one JK and two 5th gen Camaros) - not saying that's a bad thing. I like the truck a lot.

 

[AstroZombie]

only slightly more concerning the Ford Maverik is considered a midsize pickup. Its a minivan without the 3rd row

 

[KevinM60]

From what I’ve seen, the rating depends on who’s rating the vehicle and the criteria they’re using.
when I was checking out the gladiator Consumer reports had it rated at 6 or 7 with the ridgeline being number 1. Their criteria was more economy based so of course the Jeep was down low. Motor Trend gave the gladiator a higher level based on different criteria.
basically it depends on what you’re looking for. If your looking for a commuter vehicle the Gladiator is not the one but if your looking to get out to places most people can’t go the Jeep is tops

Like I tell my sister, “It’s a Jeep thing.”

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I brought mine home and that same afternoon I tilted the back seat down to check out the storage space and a plastic trim part fell off the back seat and out the door. Tab was bent on it - wasn't installed correctly on the line. Bent tab back, put it on correctly.

Back window leaks (fixed with vacuum hose).

Driver side door panel squeaks/rattles at the top by the glass sometimes. I'm going to pull the door panel off and put a thin strip of foam tape up there.

Hard top has its usual squeaks / pops sometimes like my JK did. No amount of checking screw tightness, or re-seating the panels makes a difference. Just the nature of a removable Jeep.

Seven check engine lights. Probably the same CCDIFF or whatever issue @ShadowsPapa pointed out based on the circumstanced I recorded. I saved the TSB, just haven't dealt with it yet.

13,000 miles, 13 months.

It's no better or worse than any other new car I've owned (one JK and two 5th gen Camaros) - not saying that's a bad thing. I like the truck a lot.

I really hope your case of misfire/MIL issue is indeed the same thing I had - such a simple fix. But even if unfixed, it's not likely to leave one stranded - just totally annoyed and worried. (at least so far I've not seen this one lead to serious stranding)
Thus far, other than that annoying hot restart misfire due to the CCDIFF issue, the 2022 3.6 seems to be pretty solid.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I really hope your case of misfire/MIL issue is indeed the same thing I had - such a simple fix. But even if unfixed, it's not likely to leave one stranded - just totally annoyed and worried. (at least so far I've not seen this one lead to serious stranding)
Thus far, other than that annoying hot restart misfire due to the CCDIFF issue, the 2022 3.6 seems to be pretty solid.

Yea, it doesn't worry me in the least. If you 'know' what the problem is and know how it's gonna handle itself, it makes it ok to let it exist forever At this point its an inside joke between the GF and I. Light comes on and I just sing off tune 'This little light o mine, I'm gonna let it shine....'

 

[ShadowsPapa]

From what I’ve seen, the rating depends on who’s rating the vehicle and the criteria they’re using.
when I was checking out the gladiator Consumer reports had it rated at 6 or 7 with the ridgeline being number 1. Their criteria was more economy based so of course the Jeep was down low. Motor Trend gave the gladiator a higher level based on different criteria.
basically it depends on what you’re looking for. If your looking for a commuter vehicle the Gladiator is not the one but if your looking to get out to places most people can’t go the Jeep is tops

Like I tell my sister, “It’s a Jeep thing.”

It really stinks when one of these outfits "rates" vehicles and they are looking for 30 mpg and a ride like even Mercedes hasn't yet offered - and they use that criteria for a Wrangler or Gladiator. Seriously? They are basically trucks - even the Wrangler is more like a truck than your Escape or other so-called "SUVs" and yet they lump them together.
On the other hand - as much as I liked and appreciated the later WK Grand Cherokees, the ride wasn't all that luxurious, IMO. My JT rides as nice.

If I was not retired from "7 to 5" 5 day a week jobs, I'd probably actually consider using my JT as my commuter - mixed in with my other cars in really good weather. The mpg isn't all that terrible compared to other stuff we've had (best mpg was the later Grand Cherokees in the mid-20s regardless of highway or in-town driving). It beats any other pickup I've had, beats the 2011 and older Grand Cherokees, and gets similar mpg no matter where I drive it.
Ride and handling and comfort and convenience of the JT are on par with, if not better than, many other things I've had.

 

[Mojave2021]

I was a bit concerned initially with the right rear axle leak and aux battery dying in the first few months of owning it, but both issues appear to be resolved (in the case of the axle leak it took 3 attempts).

After 2 years now no other issues other than my navigation system still showing that I'm 200 miles south of my location, but I'm doing just fine with navigation thru CarPlay anyways.

It also absorbed a rear-ending like a champ and gave me a good excuse to get new bumpers . I have always had sports cars and I tend to go thru cars quickly. But for some reason I have no urge to get rid of the JT. It's just fun to drive even though it's not the fastest vehicle out there.

 

[Geoarch]

I can believe it. Other than steering gear in my 2020 - it was extremely well-built, everything lined up, no leaks, no squeaks, no rattles, just plain very good fitment of all panels inside and out. All joints were even, the doors were perfectly centered with no gap larger or smaller than others.
My 2022 is similar although I think the bed should be 3/8" further forward, maybe a bit more on one side than the other because of the seals between bed and cab.
Fit and finish is still so far, ok.
the misfire was extremely weird and never left me wondering if we were going to be stuck somewhere.
Compared to many of todays vehicles, JT is actually pretty good.
Just in general, satisfaction has gone down pretty much across the board so maybe expectations are not what they were 10 years ago.
The reason I even bought a JT was due to our great experiences with our other Jeeps.

I would agree coming from a 2018 Tacoma TRDPro with three recalls, one of which actually killed someone on the freeway when his fuel pump died. My 2022, however, still has the clutch recall, probably due to people that can't drive a MT, and the tailgate locking mechanism. I find the fit and finish, and even long trips with the MOPAR lift comfortable, and sitting higher than the Tacoma was real selling point for me. I do agree that our three Stellantis dealers in town are abysmal with customer service. I just go for the recalls. I hope that if a PHEV version comes out that it will be as well built.

 

[Skull]

I can believe it. Other than steering gear in my 2020 - it was extremely well-built, everything lined up, no leaks, no squeaks, no rattles, just plain very good fitment of all panels inside and out. All joints were even, the doors were perfectly centered with no gap larger or smaller than others.
My 2022 is similar although I think the bed should be 3/8" further forward, maybe a bit more on one side than the other because of the seals between bed and cab.
Fit and finish is still so far, ok.
the misfire was extremely weird and never left me wondering if we were going to be stuck somewhere.
Compared to many of todays vehicles, JT is actually pretty good.
Just in general, satisfaction has gone down pretty much across the board so maybe expectations are not what they were 10 years ago.
The reason I even bought a JT was due to our great experiences with our other Jeeps.

I replaced my lifted 2020 rubicon with 23,000 miles on it with zero issues for a 2022 Mojave now has 15000 miles ….no issues so I agree with the build quality and I do take care of mine. Very impressed so far with the quality and I was a technician for Chrysler Jeep dodge dealers for 10 years and would not touch a Jeep back several years.

 

[Solar Sparky]

I get a lot of compliments on my JTM and asked all the time how I like it... My quick response is; best vehicle I have ever owned. Have not had one issue at all. 2021 JTM

Agreed! I love my 2021 JTM. It’s a beast off-road, and rides pretty sweet on the highway getting to the trails. Getting ready to pull a trailer from Colorado to Florida in a month, so I might have another update soon

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I replaced my lifted 2020 rubicon with 23,000 miles on it with zero issues for a 2022 Mojave now has 15000 miles ….no issues so I agree with the build quality and I do take care of mine. Very impressed so far with the quality and I was a technician for Chrysler Jeep dodge dealers for 10 years and would not touch a Jeep back several years.

As much as I hate to say it - there was an era where Jeeps weren't so great. And as much as I'm a fan, some of those include the AMC years.

 

[ygrignon]

My 2021 Max Tow has been absolutely trouble free … after they replaced the PCM, the cats, and the engine within the first month of ownership. Almost 24k miles on it 6k of which have been towing our 6,000lb 23ft Airstream travel trailer.

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