MODULE - STEERING CONTROL & COLUMN
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Jeep Gladiator steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator have filed 181 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 5,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
181
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Gladiator (this page) | 181 |
| 2021 Gladiator | 93 |
| 2022 Gladiator | 34 |
| 2023 Gladiator | 10 |
| 2024 Gladiator | 6 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 181 steering complaints filed for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Jeep Gladiator we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 181.
Steering accounts for 38% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
DAMPER - NONE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Air Trapped in Steering Damper Warranty Extension XF1 A shimmy in the steering wheel after hitting an irregularity on the road surface (symptom is more prevalent in cold temperatures). This bulletin involves replacing the steering damper."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-10 Rev. A (XF1) Steering Damper – Select 2018 - 2020 Jeep Wrangler (JL), 2020 Jeep Gladiator (JT) and 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JK)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Warranty Bulletin D-23-09 Rev. A (XF1) Steering Damper – Select 2018 - 2020 Jeep Wrangler (JL), 2020 Jeep Gladiator (JT) and 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JK)
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 has two primary steering defects owners describe in these complaints. The "death wobble"—violent steering wheel and front-end shaking at highway speeds (50–75 mph) after hitting bumps or potholes—appears in over two dozen narratives. The shaking forces drivers to slow down below 50 mph to regain control; it recurs at the same road locations. Owners report replacing Fox steering dampers and steering gear boxes multiple times with the problem returning.
The second defect is a large dead zone in steering response—a 1–2 inch slop where the steering wheel moves without the wheels reacting. On the highway, this forces constant hand-over-hand correction to stay in lane, causing fatigue and unsafe driving. Dealerships check alignment, run diagnostics, and tell owners the vehicle is "within spec" or "how Jeeps drive," which contradicts owner experience with other Jeep models and direct comparison tests of other Gladiators that steer tight and responsive.
Separately, loss of power steering assist occurs tied to electrical faults (communication bus failures between modules, defective wiring harness, battery issues). Multiple warning lights activate simultaneously; steering becomes stiff, brakes lock, transmission shifts unexpectedly. Both phenomena—steering defects and electrical cascades—are reported across large owner groups in forums and directly to Jeep/Stellantis. Aftermarket reinforcement braces exist and work, indicating the problem is design-addressable rather than inevitable.
Same Jeep Gladiator steering reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Death wobble – violent steering wheel/front-end shaking
Sudden violent shaking of the steering wheel and front suspension, usually triggered by hitting bumps, potholes, or uneven pavement at highway speeds (50–75 mph). Vehicle becomes difficult to control; tremors subside only when speed drops below 50 mph. Occurs repeatedly at same road locations.
When: Highway speeds 50–75 mph, triggered by road imperfections; starts within first 27,500 miles; recurs throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration/shaking violently; Front-end oscillation side-to-side; Entire vehicle shakes ('face skin vibrating,' per narrative); Loss of steering control sensation; Tremor stops only when vehicle slows below 50 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Fox steering damper replacement attempted (narratives #1, #2, #13); steering gear replacement also attempted (#2); repeated failures even after repairs—same issue returned post-repair. Narratives #11 reports 6 steering gear box replacements (4 aluminum, 2 steel) with recurrent wobble.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for 2018–2019 Wrangler (narrative #1 references it); TSB 08-074-20 exists (narratives #15, #45); Jeep/Stellantis denies problem or claims operation 'as designed' at dealerships; extended 8-year warranty on steering damper noted in narrative #13
Excessive steering play and dead spot – steering box slop
Large dead zone (1–2 inches each direction from center) where steering wheel input does not immediately move the wheels. Vehicle wanders side-to-side on highway, requiring constant hand-over-hand correction. Dead spot varies with speed and temperature; worse at highway speeds (40–80 mph), nearly absent in low-speed turns after pressure applied.
When: Present from delivery; worsens with mileage and highway driving; throughout ownership at 1,600–109,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel dead zone (1–2 inches slop before wheel responds); Vehicle wandering side-to-side without wheel input; Constant steering corrections required to stay in lane; Exhausting, mentally fatiguing to drive; Worse in high winds or at speeds 40+ mph; Drag link and tie-rod play can be isolated (after drag link replacement, dead spot shifted entirely to one side, per narrative #17)
Repairs/costs cited: Drag link replacement (narrative #17) shifted problem to opposite side; tie rod ends replacement (narrative #31); steering gear box replaced (narratives #31, #39—3 replacements with no improvement); alignment and caster angle adjustments attempted (narratives #8, #43); TSB repair completion (narrative #48) showed no improvement or worsened condition. Narrative #11 details defective steering box internals: ball sizing, worm gear preload, valve balance, bearing preload all out of spec.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 08-074-20 (narrative #15, #45); campaign mentioned for steering gear box replacement under an undisclosed campaign (narrative #25); Jeep/Stellantis initially denies problem or dismisses as 'Jeep thing' or 'normal'; dealerships claim vehicle operates 'as designed' despite spec-compliant measurement (narrative #7 documents 1-inch play within factory spec on rack vs. real-world larger dead spot); aftermarket fixes (Synergy brace, $250 bracket, Fox damper) exist and owners report success
Steering box and mount flex – steering box movement on frame
Steering box bolted to flexing frame; observably moves/twists when steering wheel is turned. Videos and aftermarket brace solutions (Synergy brace, track bar/sector shaft braces) address structural deflection under load.
When: Present from new; worsens with high-load driving (highway, wind, towing)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering box visibly flexes/moves when steering wheel turned (video evidence referenced); Wandering and wander-recovery issues trace to this flex; Problem worse with suspension load (towing, wind)
Repairs/costs cited: Aftermarket track bar/sector shaft braces (Synergy Manufacturing cited in narratives #28, #10, #29) eliminate play when installed; owners report immediate improvement. No OEM factory brace or reinforcement mentioned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No factory recall or TSB addressing structural reinforcement. Jeep has not issued a bracing/stiffening solution; dealerships not authorized to install aftermarket fixes.
Loss of power steering / intermittent power steering assist failure
Power steering assist suddenly stops working, making steering very stiff and difficult to turn. Linked to broader electrical/CAN bus faults (communication between control modules). May occur without warning lights or may accompany multiple warning lights (check engine, ABS, traction control, service shifter).
When: Various mileages; some cases early (narrative #24 at unknown mileage); recurs even after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff/hard to turn; Loss of power assist during highway driving; Windshield wipers may activate unexpectedly; Check engine, ABS, traction control, stability control lights illuminate simultaneously
Codes mentioned: U0121, U1110, U1120, U11BC, U12AB, P057C, U11BF, U0001 (narrative #24—high-speed CAN bus, communication faults), Multiple U-codes (communication-related faults, narrative #3)
Repairs/costs cited: Defective wiring harness (narrative #30—resolved after 1 month in shop, then recurred); CAN bus connector solder failure behind glove box (narrative #26—Mopar/Stellantis OEM part, bad solder connections); auxiliary/secondary battery and battery management system replacement (narrative #3—condition persisted); temporary improvement when battery sensor disconnected (narrative #3).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #26 notes same CAN bus connector failure appears across multiple Stellantis makes/models with bad solder joints; no systematic OEM recall or connector redesign evident. Warranty repair available; narrative #30 final fix after month-long diagnostic period.
Electrical/communication failures affecting multiple systems (secondary to steering safety)
Intermittent electrical faults and loss of control module communication trigger warning lights and disable steering assist, HVAC, infotainment, transmission shift, and brake systems. Root cause suspected to be auxiliary battery system, battery management system, wiring harness, or CAN bus network.
When: Random, without warning; narrative #3 started ~3 weeks into complaint period; narrative #24 multiple events across different dates
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights simultaneously (service ABS, service shifter, service 4WD, check engine, traction control, brake light, air bag); Transmission locks in park or 3rd gear unexpectedly; Windshield wipers activate involuntarily; Radio/infotainment UI crashes or resets; HVAC control loss (narrative #1—multiple comfort settings malfunction; narrative #20—AC cycles to heat with musty smell); Auto-start/stop failure; Steering assist loss (see separate mode); Fault codes temporarily clear but return
Repairs/costs cited: Both main battery and auxiliary battery replaced without resolution (narrative #3); condition may temporarily improve when auxiliary battery bypassed and battery sensor disconnected (narrative #3); defective CAN bus connector with bad solder (narrative #26—Mopar OEM part); wiring harness replacement (narrative #30); ABS module replacement (narrative #34—did not resolve); recurs after repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No systematic recall or TSB for CAN bus connector/solder defect identified across narratives. Narrative #1 notes no active recalls acknowledged by dealers; narrative #30 was finally resolved after 1 month in shop. Extended 8-year warranty mentioned in narrative #13 for steering damper.
Synthesized from 181 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The vehicle starts with the front suspension moving uncontrollably from side to side and yanks your steering out of control ( death wobble) did it 6 times to the point that I can not trust the vehicle because it goes out of steering control both front tires move uncontrollably side to side like if both where flat and yanks you side to side takes you out of road
My gladiator steering is not able to track straight. And there is constant play at all speeds. It has been to the dealer 3 times for repair and dealer has been unsuccessful at fixing steering play. My truck was out of alignment from the day I purchased it, Chrysler escalated my case and then a notice saying my case has been closed. And there is no resolve for my steering issue.my next step is to…
While driving at highway speed, approximately 60 MPH, went over a rough surface on the road and the gladiator starter shaking as if I had had a blow-out. Once I slowed down it stabilized. However, it is a safety issue as it has already happened twice in a high traffic area. Upon researching on the internet, I've come to learn that it is a very common problem called "death wobble" that happens…
The steering feel is very lose. The truck has the feeling like it wanders in the lane and always needs steering correction to keep it going straight. None of my other cars have ever driven like this including my past jeeps. This mainly happens at highway speeds.
While driving approximately 45mph on a 2 lane road, my steering wheel became stuck or frozen in its position. I was unable to course correct, and ended up braking into the median. I never lost engine power, or power steering. The wheel was simply locked, stuck, or frozen. Once stopped, I tried the wheel again, and it worked. I've since taken the vehicle to Jeep, and they are attempting repair.
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 181 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 48 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 2,000 and 11,000 miles, with the median around 5,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,000; a quarter make it past 11,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.