Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Jeep Gladiator owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle had suddenly started to vibrate and shake. The contact stated that the vehicle was maintaining its lane but was lurching from left to right. No warnings illuminated. The contact stated that she pulled off to the side of the road; however, when she turned the vehicle on, it would start shaking again. The contact stated that she would keep driving while the vehicle was shaking, and the shaking would eventually stop. The contact stated that the shaking was occurring at any speed and was also triggered when she would drive over any small bumps or dips in the road. The contact stated recently, while she was driving in traffic at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle started to shake again, however, this time violently. The contact stated that at the time, it was raining. …
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle drove over a pothole and the steering wheel started to shake violently and vehicle swayed from side to side before regaining control. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front dampers. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. Upon further diagnosis, the dealer replaced the power steering gearbox. The failure reoccurred a third time, and the dealer replaced the front dampers and advised the contact that the failure had caused abnormal wear on tire tread and advised the contact that the tires be replaced. The failure reoccurred a fourth time however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened, pending an inspection by a Jeep specialist. …
Steering is very loose, wanders all over the road and is especially noticeable at higher speeds. It's very exhausting constantly correcting the steering to keep straight on the road. There is a lot of play in the steering box. I've taken my jeep to be fixed by the dealership more times than I can count. I've had the steering box replaced 3 times with no improvement. This has been a day 1 issue that hasn't been fixed. It's especially dangerous in the snow, I had a perfect driving record till I went off the road during my first winter. Dealer confirmed there was a lot of play in the steering but hasn't fixed it, they've just basically throw their hands up in the air. This isn't what I expected when I bought a new Jeep, it's been a nightmare.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the messages "Gear Shift Reset", and "Loss of Stability Control" were displayed, and the check engine warning light, the brake system warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the power steering feature suddenly failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired by the dealer; however, the contact completed the repair himself. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact stated that the steering and brakes still functioned as needed and was able to safely exit the highway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a severe oscillation event and advised that the tie bar and steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,633.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated that on three occasions while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle drove over a patch in the roadway, and the front end began shaking uncontrollably. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the vehicle remained until the vehicle stopped shaking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering damper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,500.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving approximately 50-60 MPH, the vehicle experienced the death wobble after driving over a bump on the roadway. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,460.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, The front end of the vehicle was wobbling violently. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the Death Wobble. The contact stated that he decelerated below 50 MPH and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving above 55 MPH and when hitting a bump. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that unknown tires, the socket drag link outer, the steering damper, the front bar, the power steering gear and the arm Pitman needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when shifting into reverse (R). …
In early January 2024 I was driving on the interstate at the posted speed limit of 70 mph and upon hitting what I would call a moderate bump on the roadway my steering wheel felt as though it was wobbling. Later in the month while driving at the same speed of at least 70 mph I would hit a bump and experience the steering wheel wobble, only it was getting worse. The steering wheel wobble could cause a safety issue in that the driver could lose control of proper steering thereby causing a vehicle crash with injury to myself, my wife, or even others on the roadway. I took my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Overland to the nearest Jeep Dealership to me and when I made inquiry to the technician that worked on my vehicle, he stated that he had taken my Jeep on the interstate and tried to recreate the wobble issue. In his words, the steering wheel "wobbled [redacted]. …
2020 Jeep Gladiator purchased new experienced violent shaking of the steering wheel and partial loss of control at highway speed on March 10, 2024 with the odometer at 27,500 miles. The shaking is commonly referred to as a "death wobble" incident. While driving at approximately 60mph on the interstate the vehicle became unstable on uneven pavement and began to shake so violently it nearly resulted in an accident and we had to immediately pull off the highway into the median. After a quick inspection no damage was found, the death wobble incident happened again the same day to a lesser degree and vehicle seems to be more unstable each use. Vehicle is available for inspection. The death wobble is so severe enough to cause an accident due to loss of steering control and suspension instability as well as injure the drivers hands and arms due to violent movement of the steering wheel. …
Steering complaints in other Gladiator years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2020 Jeep Gladiator?
NHTSA has 181 complaints about the steering of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, 37% of the model year's 484 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2020 Jeep Gladiator steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 Jeep Gladiator steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 1,000 miles, and 95% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.