CORE – HEATER
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Jeep Gladiator engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator have filed 25 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Gladiator (this page) | 25 |
| 2021 Gladiator | 15 |
| 2022 Gladiator | 5 |
1fire
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CORE – HEATER
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BOLT - HEX FLANGE HEAD
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● **P0111-00 - Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range Performance Bank 1. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0071-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0072-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" Low. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0073-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" High. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0011-00 - Bank 1 Camshaft 1 Position Timing Over Advanced Or. (In Active or Stored status) ● P2
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Engine Oil Leak
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator engine cluster shows a pattern of early-onset misfire failures and catastrophic internal damage. Multiple owners report check engine lights with P0300 codes (multiple cylinder misfires) appearing before 3,000 miles, with some hitting the shop at 160 miles. Dealers attempt repeated fixes—coil and plug replacements, EGR valve work, software updates—but codes and rough running return within days or weeks. One owner documented 12,000 backlogged camshaft part requests, indicating a known defect manufacturers and dealers acknowledge but cannot remedy quickly.
Beyond misfires, owners describe sudden, unpredictable complete engine seizures with no warning lights beforehand, forcing full engine replacement at $11,900+. One owner forced to replace the engine at personal expense after a dealer refused coverage due to time elapsed since the initial recall-related visit.
Oil pump failure (specifically the high-pressure stage), coolant leaks into cylinder heads, rocker arm ticking and needle bearing seizure, and intake lifter failure all surface as internal engine problems. A clutch fire occurred at 12,000 miles on a manual model.
Auto start/stop system failures appear tied to the misfire issue; the feature cuts power unexpectedly or won't re-engage, sometimes preventing engine restart. One owner disabled the feature entirely as a workaround. Floor panel heat from the exhaust system burned a driver's foot at normal highway speed.
Same Jeep Gladiator engine reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder Misfire (P0300, P0301, P0305)
Multiple cylinder misfires occurring at low mileage, often triggered by cold starts or during acceleration. Owners report the check engine light returning repeatedly after dealer attempts to clear codes or perform software updates. The root cause remains undiagnosed by dealerships in many cases.
When: 160 miles to 2,850 miles; also reported at higher mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light with P0300 code; Engine stumble and loss of power during acceleration; Rough idle on cold start; Auto start/stop warnings and failures; Limp mode activation with speed reduction in traffic
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0301, P0305, P0420
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempts include ignition coil replacement, spark plug replacement, EGR valve replacement, PCM software updates, and camshaft replacement. Over 12,000 backlogged requests for camshaft parts reported by one owner. Repair costs exceed $4,000. One owner reported 41 days in shop with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Y68 (PCM update); TSB 18-024-21 (PCM software update and camshaft replacement for P0300); FCA advised dealer in at least one case that no fix is available; over 30 similar complaints reported on Jeep Gladiator forums.
Complete Engine Failure / Lockup
Sudden, complete engine seizure with no prior warning signs. Engines become inoperable and require full replacement. Occurs unpredictably during normal highway driving or parking.
When: No specific mileage given for most failures; one owner reported severe knock at 48,000 miles after oil pump failure at 23,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine lockup without warning; No prior misfires, loss of power, burning smells, or warning lights in some cases; Engine seized and undrivable
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required. One owner paid $11,916.16 for replacement. Another owner forced to purchase and install replacement engine at own expense ($amount not specified). Dealers refuse to inspect engines (citing owner expense for teardown) and diagnostic information is limited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Powertrain warranty coverage (5-year/60,000-mile) invoked by some owners but claims denied or unresolved. No manufacturer resolution documented.
Oil Pump Failure / Oil Starvation
Oil pump high-pressure stage failure (two-stage pump: low 40 PSI, high 80 PSI) resulting in insufficient oil delivery to upper engine, leading to internal engine damage and severe knock.
When: 23,000 miles (pump failure); 48,000 miles (engine failure secondary to pump failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine severe knock; Catastrophic engine failure on highway
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement; cost $11,916.16. Owner disputes dealer claim that oil changes outside manufacturer intervals caused failure; four dealerships consulted had conflicting oil change interval recommendations (4,500 to 12,000 miles). Owner used Amsoil synthetic with manufacturer recommendation up to 12,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer blamed owner's maintenance intervals; no recall or TSB issued for oil pump failure.
Coolant Leak / Cylinder Head Failure
Coolant leaks into engine and cylinder head(s), causing overheating and engine damage. Dealership initially misdiagnosed as thermostat issue; upon second visit, identified as likely left-side cylinder head requiring replacement.
When: December 2025 (timing unclear; owner reports December but vehicle model year is 2020)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating with temperature warning lights; Temperature gauge fluctuating from normal to extremely high; Rough running (diesel-like idle); Strange sound from front (suspected fan issue); Check engine light after thermostat replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replacement attempted first (unsuccessful). Cylinder head replacement likely needed but cost not specified. Owner reports dealership acknowledged this is a known issue with a service bulletin issued.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known issue with service bulletin issued; no recall. Manufacturer refusing to assist with repair costs, instead directing owner to report to NHTSA.
Camshaft Lobe Scoring / Rocker Arm Damage
Camshaft lobe becomes scored or damaged, resulting in piston misfire (piston #5 reported in one case). Rocker arm makes ticking noise and rubs against shaft. Damage is internal and not visible on external inspection until engine is disassembled.
When: Variable mileage; one owner reported at time of major engine overhaul; another noted ticking at 75,000 miles and misfires thereafter
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light with P0300 code; Engine stumble; Rocker arm ticking noise (continuous); Piston misfire detected after diagnostic teardown
Codes mentioned: P0300
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft replacement required. Over 12,000 backlogged requests for this part reported. Repair cost exceeds $4,000 in one documented case. 41-day shop stay reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 18-024-21 references camshaft replacement; 12,000 backlogged parts requests suggest known widespread issue; no recall issued.
Intake Lifter Seizure / Rocker Needle Bearing Failure
Intake lifters seize and rocker needle bearings fail, resulting in camshaft lobe damage (camshaft lope). Internal failure with no external warning until engine damage is complete.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: No warning lamps prior to failure; Rocker arm ticking noise; Camshaft lobe damage (lope)
Repairs/costs cited: Requires camshaft and related upper-end components replacement; specific costs not documented in this narrative.
Clutch Overheating / Fire Risk
Clutch overheats and catches fire, rendering vehicle inoperable and creating immediate safety hazard. One documented case resulted in vehicle fire requiring fire department intervention.
When: 12,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burning odor from clutch during driving; Vehicle caught fire (one documented case)
Repairs/costs cited: Clutch replacement required. One owner reported fire; vehicle towed to second dealer for repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 21V-028 issued for clutch overheating and fire risk in manual transmission vehicles; owner stated local dealer did not diagnose or repair initial burning smell complaint.
Auto Start/Stop System Failures
Electronic start/stop system disables unexpectedly or fails to re-engage, leaving engine unable to restart or causing unintended engine shutdown during normal driving. Issue persists across multiple dealer repair attempts.
When: 100 miles; 160 miles; cold starts
Symptoms owners cite: Auto start/stop unavailable warnings; Engine shuts off unexpectedly during driving and will not restart; Electronic start/stop errors; Check engine light with P0300 code alongside start/stop failures
Codes mentioned: P0300
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer updates and software patches attempted but failures recur. One owner reported issue persisted for months despite multiple shop visits and disabled the feature as workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall Y68 includes PCM software update; feature has been disabled by owners as workaround due to repeated failures.
Engine Oil Leak / Pan Gasket Failure
Oil leaks from engine oil pan gasket, leaving puddles under parked vehicle. Gasket replacement does not permanently resolve the issue; leak recurs.
When: 600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil puddle under parked vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan gasket replaced; leak recurred. Vehicle not repaired on second occurrence.
Exhaust System Heat / Floor Panel Burn Hazard
Floor panel on driver's side becomes dangerously hot during normal highway driving, burning the driver's foot. Exhaust system runs directly under floor panel with warning label hidden under carpet.
When: 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Floor panel became so hot it burned driver's foot during 65 mph driving; Carpet on floor panel was warning only visible after removal
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer; no repair performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed vehicle as performing to manufacturer standards; no repair action taken. Manufacturer contacted via email; no response documented.
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2020 Jeep Gladiator?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 25 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 25 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 5,147 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Jeep/Gladiator.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.