Transmission Issues for 2020 Jeep Gladiator

[Overlanding Newbie]

I bought a new 2020 Jeep Gladiator at the end of 2019 and my wife and I have loved it for camping; but now we are having transmission issues. When heading to work I switch the automatic transmission into reverse from park and it feels like the gear punches into place. Then when it shifts from 2nd into 3rd, and 3rd into 4th gear the truck seems to struggle getting the gears to switch. It feels like the gears lurch into place. The check engine light came on for a day (and naturally turned off), but there were no error codes that indicated transmission issues when I took it into the shop. But our car shop recommended replacing the transmission fluid to see if there were any ground gear bits in the old fluid, but didn't find anything. The jeep is at 85,000 miles.

Now the the check engine light has come on again and we brought it to another shop. They said there is an error code for the 3rd gear and it might result in needing a whole new transmission. Does anyone know if this would be covered under the manufacture warranty since I've heard about gladiator transmission recalls, or roughly what that could cost to replace? I'm guessing somewhere between $5,000 to $8,000, but any input would be helpful.

We love our jeep and it really sucks to have this happen

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[ScottBeach]

Might just be time for a fluid drain and fill. Not a flush

 

[redline61]

Same thing happened to my Gladiator at 40k. Needed a new transmission. Luckily it was under warranty but I don't believe there is any extended warranty for the trans.

 

[Lost1wing]

I would not be worried of it needing a new transmission. If someone had it done under warranty at a dealer and had it replaced, it could be that they just didn't have someone qualified or knowledgeable about doing transmission work. The longer you drive it in its current condition, you may end up having the repair bill go up even further.

 

[JTenn]

I bought a new 2020 Jeep Gladiator at the end of 2019 and my wife and I have loved it for camping; but now we are having transmission issues. When heading to work I switch the automatic transmission into reverse from park and it feels like the gear punches into place. Then when it shifts from 2nd into 3rd, and 3rd into 4th gear the truck seems to struggle getting the gears to switch. It feels like the gears lurch into place. The check engine light came on for a day (and naturally turned off), but there were no error codes that indicated transmission issues when I took it into the shop. But our car shop recommended replacing the transmission fluid to see if there were any ground gear bits in the old fluid, but didn't find anything. The jeep is at 85,000 miles.

Now the the check engine light has come on again and we brought it to another shop. They said there is an error code for the 3rd gear and it might result in needing a whole new transmission. Does anyone know if this would be covered under the manufacture warranty since I've heard about gladiator transmission recalls, or roughly what that could cost to replace? I'm guessing somewhere between $5,000 to $8,000, but any input would be helpful.

We love our jeep and it really sucks to have this happen

Sorry to hear you're having issues. The first thing I would suggest is doing a flush and refill. Install a new filter while the pan is off. There is a process to refill the transmission. Someone on here wrote a detailed post about how to do it. There's also some vids on YouTube. I don't think there's ever been a recall on these transmissions that I'm aware of. A buddy of mine had to have his replaced in his Rubicon because the cooler line was split and he lost enough fluid that it fried the transmission. It cost him around $4500 i believe. He bought a realitively low milage one from Rubitrux and had a local shop install it.
I feel your pain about transmission issues though. I have a brand new Cummins Ram with 6000 miles on it currently at the dealership with a bad transmission. Mine will be covered under warranty but man is it frustrating to have to deal with on a brand new truck. Bad components aren't just a Jeep thing. It happens to all makes and models. Just my turn in the barrel I guess. I just hope this doesnt turn into a 2 month repair because corporate can't send a replacement due to unavailability.

 

[Stan H]

I bought a new 2020 Jeep Gladiator at the end of 2019 and my wife and I have loved it for camping; but now we are having transmission issues. When heading to work I switch the automatic transmission into reverse from park and it feels like the gear punches into place. Then when it shifts from 2nd into 3rd, and 3rd into 4th gear the truck seems to struggle getting the gears to switch. It feels like the gears lurch into place. The check engine light came on for a day (and naturally turned off), but there were no error codes that indicated transmission issues when I took it into the shop. But our car shop recommended replacing the transmission fluid to see if there were any ground gear bits in the old fluid, but didn't find anything. The jeep is at 85,000 miles.

Now the the check engine light has come on again and we brought it to another shop. They said there is an error code for the 3rd gear and it might result in needing a whole new transmission. Does anyone know if this would be covered under the manufacture warranty since I've heard about gladiator transmission recalls, or roughly what that could cost to replace? I'm guessing somewhere between $5,000 to $8,000, but any input would be helpful.

We love our jeep and it really sucks to have this happen

Im personally at 112500 odd miles and for the first shift from 3rd to 4th is in delayed with a big downshift . So I started shifting the fist 4 gears manually then going to drive for 5th after that no more problems rest of the day
.it's been dinged this for at least 30,000 miles.. oh well Gonna ride it out till it dont want to work no more after thatvgirst r gears shifts smooth as silk rest of the day???

 

[JTenn]

Im personally at 112500 odd miles and for the first shift from 3rd to 4th is in delayed with a big downshift . So I started shifting the fist 4 gears manually then going to drive for 5th after that no more problems rest of the day
.it's been dinged this for at least 30,000 miles.. oh well Gonna ride it out till it dont want to work no more after thatvgirst r gears shifts smooth as silk rest of the day???

That almost sounds like an issue with the shift solenoid maybe. I don't know though, I'm definitely not a transmission expert.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Did you purchase an extended warranty?

Do not do a transmission flush. Use only the recommended fluid for a drain and fill.

If you have not done anything, yet, take it to the dealer for a diagnosis.

Jeep says the transmission fluid is a lifetime fill. Any work on the transmission that is not performed by the dealer is cause for denial of any warranty claims.

The designer of the transmission recommends a drain and fill after 60k miles. There is a specific process to follow, and it needs put back into learning mode afterwards.

 

[Overlanding Newbie]

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone! Naturally it all happens around the holidays so everyone has time off. We'll see what the mechanic finds as they finish their diagnostic :/

Anyone have ideas of how much replacing the transmission might cost? They said it would probably be around the $7k mark.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone! Naturally it all happens around the holidays so everyone has time off. We'll see what the mechanic finds as they finish their diagnostic :/

Anyone have ideas of how much replacing the transmission might cost? They said it would probably be around the $7k mark.

Mine was about 10k cad

 

[berb]

I have a 2020 Gladiator. I had the same issues. My D clutch went out and Jeep replaced my transmission.

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