Second Jeep, Second Major Issue…

[2NOBROS]

Hello everyone,


I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone has had a similar experience.


Owning a Jeep has been a dream of mine for a long time. After working toward it, I finally got a Gladiator.


Originally, I leased a Wrangler Rubicon 4xe, but it started shutting off while I was driving. I spent about six months dealing with the issue, and the Jeep was in and out of the dealership for nearly two of those months. In the end, it qualified as a lemon, and I received a buyback.


After that, I got a Gladiator because I still loved Jeeps. To be honest, I chose to lease instead of buy because I was a little worried after what happened with my previous vehicle.


Unfortunately, this Gladiator has already been back to the dealership for a metal grinding noise and brake-related issues.


I really love this truck. Every time I look at it, I smile. But after going through all of this, I keep asking myself, “Is this really the right vehicle for me?”


I’m feeling pretty frustrated and disappointed. Has anyone else gone through something similar? I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences or advice.


Thanks for taking the time to read my story.

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[gtknoles]

My question , Where is the quality control from the factory? Purchased last Thursday returned Friday missing a screw for the speaker bar . Dealer has no screws and has to order a screw !

 

[Salty Dave]

We currently have five jeeps and have owned seven. The only real problems I’ve had new was with my 2020 JTR but that was a quick easy dealer fix. Later it had the cam issue. My 2025 JTR that now has 22K miles has been with the navigation and radio. Still working through those.

Real answer is jeeps are not for everyone. I would give the dealership a chance to correct the problem. They a blast to drive. I too smile everyday when I walk outside and see our 2025 JTR, 2017 JKU, 2010 JKU, 2006 LJ Rubicon, and the one that started it all our Fire red 2.5l base model YJ. None of them are still stock.

 

[gtknoles]

We currently have five jeeps and have owned seven. The only real problems I’ve had new was with my 2020 JTR but that was a quick easy dealer fix. Later it had the cam issue. My 2025 JTR that now has 22K miles has been with the navigation and radio. Still working through those.

Real answer is jeeps are not for everyone. I would give the dealership a chance to correct the problem. They a blast to drive. I too smile everyday when I walk outside and see our 2025 JTR, 2017 JKU, 2010 JKU, 2006 LJ Rubicon, and the one that started it all our Fire red 2.5l base model YJ. None of them are still stock.

the dealer is great and agrees on quality control

 

[ChrisNLA]

It's an answer nobody likes, but when a thousand vehicles a day are built out of a plant, you get some bad ones. Give the dealer an opportunity to fix it. You stand a reasonable chance of issue with any new vehicle now.

FWIW, my Gladiator had a leaky back window that I repaired myself, and all four shocks and the drag link were bad by 30K miles - which I replaced myself in my driveway with better parts.

So I know they aren't perfect - but I like the truck.

 

[AXC]

Hello everyone,


I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone has had a similar experience.


Owning a Jeep has been a dream of mine for a long time. After working toward it, I finally got a Gladiator.


Originally, I leased a Wrangler Rubicon 4xe, but it started shutting off while I was driving. I spent about six months dealing with the issue, and the Jeep was in and out of the dealership for nearly two of those months. In the end, it qualified as a lemon, and I received a buyback.


After that, I got a Gladiator because I still loved Jeeps. To be honest, I chose to lease instead of buy because I was a little worried after what happened with my previous vehicle.


Unfortunately, this Gladiator has already been back to the dealership for a metal grinding noise and brake-related issues.


I really love this truck. Every time I look at it, I smile. But after going through all of this, I keep asking myself, “Is this really the right vehicle for me?”


I’m feeling pretty frustrated and disappointed. Has anyone else gone through something similar? I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences or advice.


Thanks for taking the time to read my story.

I have owned 6 jeeps (TJ's and JK's) in the past but the newest is a 2023 JTR. So far so good, and I wanted it for the Diesel. I have had all the 4.0 (cylinder heads) and 3.6 Pentastar issues (Oil cooler, rocker arms, etc. ). However, I am a mechanic so I have fixed the problems myself. Personally, I refrain from buying anything newer as I do not need or want the electronics and all the quality issues that come with them. I will say, that is not just Jeep that suffers from this; all the manufactures are guilty of this. My point, it is NOT just a Stellantis problem. I agree with your leasing and extended warranties for anyone who wants the latest and greatest. For me, I will stay with the older years and deal with those issues, I still love driving, camping and off roading with my Jeep and there is nothing out there more capable (I know that can be argued but IMO). Hope this helps.

 

[vacaedzzr1200]

My '22 Glad has 61k on the odo. I bought it used at 51k and I haven't had any issues. Not sure about the previous owner.
Guess I should investigate it's service records.

 

[3TDJEEP]

Sucks that you've had bad luck with both your Jeeps. My advise would be to find a 2023 Diesel Gladiator with low miles and buy it.

 

[Reflektr]

I can totally relate to this. My first Jeep was a ‘25 JLU Willys with the 6-speed manual. I bought it brand new last August and was in love with it. However at around 5,500 miles it started showing symptoms of a faulty clutch. At first it was just light notchy shifting in 1st/2nd gear and was very intermittent. As time went on and I had done more research, turns out it’s kind of a huge deal and once yours starts doing it, it only gets worse and there’s no fix for it. There’s a 77 page thread on the JL forum about it and between recalls and aftermarket clutch companies and people much more qualified than myself, there’s still no known solution.



That alone would have put most people off, but I liked the JLU so well that I held on for a little hope yet. As a mechanic by trade, I do all of my own maintenance. I’m funny about my vehicles and my brain can’t stand the thought of somebody other than me under the hood. That being said, I started it up one day after an oil change and peeked under the hood only to find the harmonic balancer had about an 1/8” of runout. Which is a pretty significant wobble.



The final straw was when I was hand washing it last month and found some paint that had cracked and was starting to flake in the seam above the rear wheel where the two body panels meet. I found a dealer down South who had an anvil JT with the Willys package, which is kind of what I wanted in the first place. They took the JL on trade and didn’t ask any questions so I didn’t tell any lies lol.


So far I’m liking the JT and the only issue I’ve noticed in 400 miles is the infamous speaker rattle.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I always tell folks a Gladi or Wrangler is something you own because you want a Jeep, not because of reliability or quality. If you aren't ok with addressing issues and fixing things, then they aren't for you. But in your case, I think you just got the luck of the draw getting two with issues right off the batt. I say if you really do want a Jeep then give it another chance. The dealership should either resolve the issue or get you into another vehicle.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Metal grinding sound and brake issue? That doesn't sound major, at least not yet.

Bubbling paint, auto transmission, 3.6L rockers, those are some of the major failures you hope to avoid.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

At least you got the problems right out the box and not after you’d been driving it for a year and really got attached to it. That’d be like getting dumped by the prom queen. I’ve never had an issue with a Jeep that COULDN’T be fixed. That’s why I bought another one.

 

[Ramboy]

Sucks that you've had bad luck with both your Jeeps. My advise would be to find a 2023 Diesel Gladiator with low miles and buy it.

I’ve been watching this one. Not exactly local but it looks great.
https://perkinsmotors.com/for-sale/...2021-jeep-gladiator-rubicon-1c6jjtbm0ml583099

 

[Idlethunder]

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone has had a similar experience.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story.

I feel for you and hope they get your JT sorted out. My first Gladiator back in 2022 started having trouble within a month. It would randomly go into limp mode and a few times the engine completely shut off in traffic. My wife was scared to ride in it for fear it would leave us stranded but I liked it too much to give up on it. After several months of the dealer trying different fixes, one of the members here found a tsb that they were able to follow and it was still trouble free when I sold it in March. I'm now in my second Gladiator now and still smile every time I turn the key.

 

[3TDJEEP]

I’ve been watching this one. Not exactly local but it looks great.
https://perkinsmotors.com/for-sale/...2021-jeep-gladiator-rubicon-1c6jjtbm0ml583099

A guy posted a white 23 Diesel Gladiator High Altitude for sale last month in the Facebook group "JEEP GLADIATOR’s Only". It only has 1,900 miles on it and looks brand new. He was asking $46k. Richmond Va.

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