Purchasing Used Gladiator

[Short Stuff]

hey ms. short stuff i bought my 2021 rubicon new and have had ZERO issues. the axle problem some speak of is a sensor on the dana differential. if it is wonky you will see a problem light on the dash. the simplest preemptive fix is the z-automotive locker. 30 second install. i am unaware of other issues. what specifically was the "google" issue?

Hi John, What I found on google was: rear axle seals, floaty, valve train issues. I know Google is not the best place for info, but it is one place to check. My end goal is a gladiator with a Tune M1 camper. I’m knowledgeable enough to do my build out in the camper just not the mechanical side of the gladiator.

everyone’s been helpful with their info!

Sponsored

 

[Bradleyvw]

Another problem with gladiators and wranglers is the corrosion issues with aluminum body panels as doors, hood windshield frames, tailgates and hinges. Look for peeling and bubbles in paint.

 

[Pat Witt]

You could be on to something. I can’t be certain, but I think the one I bought might have endured some “extreme terrain” by the previous owner…

Looks like it's mostly trim work nothing major

 

[OldManOfTheSee]

I did the same search and still ended up pulling the trigger on a used'21 Rubicon.... took a chance had 7 day return policy... ended up being exactly what I wanted, clean underneath, someone had done the upgrades already ($7000) worth of them, and I saved a ton of money. Mine has 44k miles almost. Couldn't be more happy. It's my dream vehicle and I traded a '19 Ram Longhorn 4x4 for it. Fwiw, I belive the initial complaints you see from 2020 was the stearing box which they issued tsb for, the bubbling i think is still something for some folks, I have the smallest little spot on edge of hood less than 1/4 of a dime otherwise perfect and, no issues anywhere else..... one other bonus, I didn't care for the red dash and the 2020-21 came with a Grey dash which i love. And dark saddle interior!!!

 

[NC_Overland]

I did the same search and still ended up pulling the trigger on a used'21 Rubicon.... took a chance had 7 day return policy... ended up being exactly what I wanted, clean underneath, someone had done the upgrades already ($7000) worth of them, and I saved a ton of money. Mine has 44k miles almost. Couldn't be more happy. It's my dream vehicle and I traded a '19 Ram Longhorn 4x4 for it. Fwiw, I belive the initial complaints you see from 2020 was the stearing box which they issued tsb for, the bubbling i think is still something for some folks, I have the smallest little spot on edge of hood less than 1/4 of a dime otherwise perfect and, no issues anywhere else..... one other bonus, I didn't care for the red dash and the 2020-21 came with a Grey dash which i love. And dark saddle interior!!!

You didn’t get the red dash because your Jeep was optioned with the saddle interior. The LEs and the saddle interior color option didn’t get the red dash.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The main reason to stay away from those built in late '20 through '21 is that those are the COVID years. Quality control (QC) departments were severely understaffed and a lot of 'less than what they should be' parts got through and into the vehicles. Plus, QC at the Jeep plant was also lacking, meaning quite a lot of shoddy work got through.

Yeah, there's some urban legend.
Other than engine cam issues, the 2020s and 2021s were not any more problem than other years.
There's a lot of conjecture about "low QC staff during covid" but it's all internet lore.
Mine were both 100% fine as were many thousands of others.

2020 and 2021 were the teething years for the Gladiator that fixed a lot of the nit-noid issues with TSB's and recalls but were incorporated in later 2022+ builds.

exactly - nothing to do with covid or anything else.

Yet another interesting example, but wrong, assumption based on "I think that" from the internet, while leaving out other truths.

Many of the issues had ZIP to do with quality control or inspections at all, but were software and programming learning issues. Thankfully, the 2020 JT relied on two existing models - the JL and the Ram truck. Still, there were growing pains and many of those are not a thing to do with anything but learning as they went, or making improvements. You can't beta test for every single possible scenario.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hi John, What I found on google was: rear axle seals, floaty, valve train issues. I know Google is not the best place for info, but it is one place to check. My end goal is a gladiator with a Tune M1 camper.

Google AI takes it's information from forums - it's like visiting a hospital to find out how healthy humanity is. If there's garbage in the posts it uses for its responses, then you get garbage back out.
No one goes to forums and shouts yippee! My 2020 is PERFECT.
But have a problem, and you seek help, or support, or just someone who understands, and that's where Google's AI gets the information. Support groups, not from posts that don't exist telling of the many thousands of trouble-free 2020 Jeeps out there.
I had a 2020 and a 2022. And there was nothing at all indicating any issues. I even spoke with an employee in the plant in Toledo who gathered up the info on my JT - "it was a clean build" - yeah, they still went through inspections. Everything slowed down, not just quality control. So quality control could actually keep up since production was slowed in some areas.

Axles were and are made by Dana. Something Dana did ended up resulting in right side rear axle seal leaks. But it was resolved by warranty repairs. If it's out of warranty, it's a simple fix for most mechanics that know how to replace axle bearings and seals - no biggy at all. I'd almost ignore that bit about axle seals. If it's not leaking now, it probably will not leak.

 

[DiehardTory]

"Ditto" ShadowsPapa.. Recalling the research from the 80's (yes I worked in the Auto Industry). The findings on Customers and Satisfaction.. An unhappy customer would tell 11 others; a Happy would tell 3.

 

[OldManOfTheSee]

You didn’t get the red dash because your Jeep was optioned with the saddle interior. The LEs and the saddle interior color option didn’t get the red dash.

Learn something new everyday. Thank you for that info! I love the interior with the sarge green outside it feels throwback.

 

[NC_Overland]

Learn something new everyday. Thank you for that info! I love the interior with the sarge green outside it feels throwback.

I have no regrets with buying Sting Gray, but Sarge Green is a cool color. I might have bought it if it was available when I bought mine in 2020. Those are complementary colors. I bet it does look nice! I’ve always liked dark green colors.

 

[Gvsukids]

Another problem with gladiators and wranglers is the corrosion issues with aluminum body panels as doors, hood windshield frames, tailgates and hinges. Look for peeling and bubbles in paint.

Not everybody has that issue.

 

[NC_Overland]

Not everybody has that issue.

Yeah. Mine is 5.5+ yrs old and it doesn’t have a spec of corrosion. I’m positive because I detailed every inch of it a few months back. After a few years of neglect…

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not everybody has that issue.

So far it's not happened on any of ours.

It's also an issue on some Ford and GM vehicles.

 

[Verne]

New to the group and looking for advice, please. Looking to purchase a used Rubicon or Mojave. Google says to stay away from 2020 and 2021’s. Your thoughts?

I have a 21 Mojave with 48K miles and I have had zero problems beyond normal maintenance. I am getting the aux battery swapped out tomorrow as a preventative measure because I will be driving quite a bit this summer to various places around Ohio. I couldn't be happier with mine.

 

[Stan H]

The rear end thing was about early gladiators period. My 2020 was built pre covid and the whole rear end assembly was replaced under warranty because it popped really loudly when turning at low speeds. 2020 3.73 with trashlock.

However, I’d much rather have a pre-covid parts quality issues and Stellantis build quality Gladiator. Much less engine and transmission issues.

Pre is for me . Built 6/2020 (21' model) even have the plugs in the bottom of my axles.

Sponsored