The camshaft went out, along with the rocker arms, cam phasers, there is a box on the passenger side wheel well that goes out and will not allow the truck to shift or go into park. There is now something wrong with the automatic start/stop as the light continues to be on in the dash. Things started to go out as soon as the warranty expired… The truck has 80kmi. We fix one problem only for more to…
2022 Jeep Gladiator powertrain problems
moderate 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2022 Gladiator owner needs to know: the clutch recall (23V116000) has faced months-long parts delays with units failing even after repair, and fuel pump problems under separate recall (Y78/21V-880) have left at least one vehicle sitting at the dealer inoperable. Multiple powertrain failures reported—transmission issues, differential failure, and camshaft wear—some after warranty expires.
The clutch recall (NHTSA 23V116000) dominates the cluster. Owners report clutch failure as early as 1,300 miles, with smoke and burning smell, but the remedy parts haven't been available—dealerships have told owners to wait months or informed them the fix isn't ready. One owner's vehicle failed again at 49,500 miles even after the recall repair was supposed to be completed. Another waited four months for parts that never arrived and paid an independent shop instead.
The fuel pump recall (Y78/21V-880) has created a separate nightmare. One owner's HPFP failed while cornering, causing total power loss on a mountain road in remote New Mexico. The dealer said it was safe to keep driving until a remedy was available, which took two months—and when the vehicle returned, metal shavings contaminated the fuel system, leaving it inoperable. Another owner's fuel pump failed after being replaced once before under the same recall.
Beyond the recalls, owners describe transmission shifting failures (won't go into or out of neutral or park), rear locker control malfunction (engages and won't respond to buttons), camshaft failures starting after warranty expires, transmission seal leaks, rear differential failure with cascade damage to axles and brakes, and a steering wobble condition. The pattern across multiple owners is one repair spawning another problem.
Same Jeep Gladiator powertrain reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure
HPFP failure causes complete loss of engine and transmission power with difficult steering. Owner reports the vehicle was under active recall Y78 / NHTSA 21V-880 with no remedy available; dealership told owner it was safe to continue driving. Failure occurred in remote area. After initial repair, metal shavings remained in fuel system, leaving vehicle inoperable. Second complaint involves a fuel pump (reported as already replaced once under recall) that failed again and was diagnosed as defective; dealership drained fuel, replaced bottom fuel lines and fuel pump multiple times before confirming fuel pump defect.
When: Complaint 1: while entering downhill curve; Complaint 2: fuel pump had been replaced once before under recall; failure occurred after ~80 miles of prior driving
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power to engine and transmission; Difficult steering; Unrecognizable warning light that flashed but did not remain on; Check engine light after initial repair; Metal shavings in fuel system; Vehicle would not start
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint 1: HPFP replacement; took 2 months for parts/remedy; metal shavings still present after repair. Complaint 2: fuel tank drain, replacement of bottom fuel lines, fuel pump replacement (multiple times); fuel pump confirmed defective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint 1: NHTSA Recall Y78 / 21V-880 (remedy not yet available when failure occurred); took 2 months to complete initial repair; vehicle still inoperable with metal shavings in fuel system. Complaint 2: fuel pump replaced under recall once before; defective part replaced again.
Clutch Assembly Failure
Multiple owners report clutch failure in vehicles covered under NHTSA Campaign 23V116000 (Power Train). Failures occur at low mileage (1,300 miles to 49,500 miles) with symptoms including smoke from clutch, inability to accelerate above 40 mph, inability to shift out of neutral, and burning smell. One owner reports clutch failure at 4,400 miles with flywheel hot spots. Recall parts are not available; repairs are delayed months or not completed. One vehicle failed again after recall repair was supposedly completed.
When: Complaint 4: ~1,300 miles; Complaint 5: ~49,500 miles (after recall repair completed); Complaint 6: ~24,137 miles; Complaint 12: 4,400 miles; Complaint 14: persistent issue over a year
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from clutch; Burning smell from clutch; Failure to accelerate over 40 mph; Service Transmission warning light illuminated; Unable to shift out of neutral; Inability to shift vehicle
Codes mentioned: Service Transmission warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint 4: clutch assembly replacement at independent mechanic after 4-month dealer wait. Complaint 5: dealer diagnosed clutch failure but did not repair; waiting for warranty determination. Complaint 6: clutch assembly replacement needed but not repaired (parts not available). Complaint 12: clutch burned out with flywheel hot spots; vehicle in dealer for repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V116000 (Power Train clutch recall); parts not yet available at time of complaints; repair timeline exceeded reasonable duration in multiple cases (4 months reported); one vehicle (Complaint 5) failed after recall repair supposedly completed; dealer told owners manufacture had not provided remedy or parts.
Rear Locker Control System Malfunction
Rear locker engages and warning light comes on; owner cannot disengage locker despite pressing disengagement button multiple times. Warning light flashes but does not confirm disengagement. System remains in engaged state (or reports engaged state) repeatedly during same drive. Owner reports system is compromised and poses substantial highway safety risk.
When: While traveling at 70 mph on highway between Illinois and Indiana; occurred three additional times during return trip that day
Symptoms owners cite: Rear Locker engaged light came on dashboard; Warning light flashing when attempting to disengage; Rear Locker not responding to disengagement button; Warning light not turning off after third occurrence; System reporting locker engaged when not actually engaged
Transmission Shifting and Park Engagement Failure
Vehicle will not shift into or out of neutral or park; cannot start vehicle. Occurs while vehicle is actively being driven or in use. One owner reports drivetrain stops vehicle from moving; another reports failure to go into park and failure to start.
When: Complaint 6: ~24,137 miles; Complaint 16: unspecified timing (occurring while traveling)
Symptoms owners cite: Cannot shift out of neutral; Cannot shift into park; Drivetrain stops vehicle from moving; Vehicle will not start
Camshaft and Rocker Arm Failure
Camshaft failure along with rocker arms and cam phasers. Issues started after warranty expired. Owner reports component failures cascade—fixing one problem results in more failures. Vehicle also has automatic start/stop light continuously on.
When: At 80,000 miles (after warranty expiration)
Symptoms owners cite: Camshaft failure; Rocker arm failure; Cam phasers failed; Box on passenger side wheel well fails and prevents shifting or going into park; Automatic start/stop light continuously on
Transmission Oil Pan Gasket and Main Seal Leaks
Initial service to replace faulty transmission oil pan gasket did not resolve issue; vehicle required towing to dealership for check engine light and additional transmission fluid loss. Failure diagnosed as leaking main seal.
When: Service performed Sept 23; failure diagnosed Oct 14
Symptoms owners cite: Faulty transmission oil pan gasket; Check engine light; Loss of transmission fluid; Transmission fluid leaking from main seal
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission oil pan gasket replacement attempted but did not resolve issue; main seal replacement needed.
Rear Differential Failure with Fluid Leak
Rear differential failed with axle fluid leak, causing secondary damage to axle, bearings, and brakes. All components required replacement.
When: Unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Rear differential failure; Axle fluid leak; Damage to axle; Damage to bearings; Damage to brakes
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential, axle, bearings, and brakes all replaced.
Death Wobble (Steering Stabilizer/Track Bar Failure)
Violent steering wobble through vehicle. Owner attributes cause to steering stabilizer and/or track bar failure, though full diagnostic details not provided.
When: Unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Violent wobble through vehicle; Death wobble
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The drivetrain will stop the vehicle from moving it is at a dealership in st Augustine fl right now and is waiting for a diagnosis. This is a safety risk because it does This while traveling. also will not go into parkand will not start.
On Sept 23, the vehicle went into the dealership service department to replace an apparent faulty transmission oil pan gasket, and today October 14, my Gladiator had to be towed to the dealership because the problem was not resolved, causing the check engine light to come on and additional loss of transmission fluid, apparently coming from the main seal.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 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 powertrain problem on the 2022 Jeep Gladiator?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 19 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 24,979 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2022/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.