2020 Jeep Gladiator: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Suspension · CA

the rear control arm welds have repeatedly broken on this 2020 jeep gladiator which creates a hazardous handling condition that may lead to a tragic accident. the local dealer, Hilltop Jeep in Richmond, CA and Stellantis Customer Service have passed the buck and said it isn't their responsibility and have referred us to a body shop to get the suspension repairs done. this seems like a manufacturing defect.

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Steering · NC

Front end violently shakes between 30 and 75 mph when hitting a bump in the road and is better known as a "Death Wobble". The issue based on experts can be the steering damper, tie rods ends and/or tie rod, drag link, track bar, steering box or all of the above. The problem is that there is no factory parts to fix this issue so I've had to go to after market parts to get this resolved. First time it happed on the hwy it almost threw me off the hwy.

Filed Mar 16, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · PA

Ever since I got this vehicle it’s been a roller coaster. As I’m driving the vehicle home from the dealership the vehicle displays on the screen that it’s going to shut off. I pulled over immediately on the side of the road and the vehicle turned off while in drive at 0 MPH! I put my emergency signals on and waited 15-30 minutes before the car would let me turn it back on! I drove home and as soon as I’m pulling into the driveway the car literally shuts off in reverse with no signs foreshadowing this! It was so embarrassing. What a birthday surprise. I had to call triple A to come tow it back to dealership. They had to change battery. Which is about 1 hour away at least depending on traffic. Picked up the vehicle sometime that week. The beginning of the next week as I’m driving to work the vehicle displays on the dash that the engine is overheating! I notice the vehicle starting to smoke so I pulled over immediately. I missed work that day. I had to call another tow to the dealership. The manager said that the truck would be in the shop for a month at least because they have to order a new engine! They gave me a terrible rental. I got the truck back around a month later. Months go by random creaking occurs periodically. I go to the dealership and they say I need new ball joints. Item is on back order so they’ll let me know when it arrives. Months go by start/stop system doesn’t work anymore. I go to the dealership and they keep it for a few days and don’t end up fixing the problem but schedule an appointment for next month. Appointment comes and they fixed start/stop system supposedly but every now and then it stops working. Months go by airbag signal turn on. I go to the dealer and they said they fixed something but needed to order a part. I am waiting on their call for that part now as well. This has truly been a crazy experience. I would never recommend anyone to go to a Fred beans dealership like I made the mistake of doing. 70k for such a failure.

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Driver assistance, Suspension · 5,000 miles · MI

One or more of the suspension kits sold by rock krawler used inferior materials in the control arm bushings that will break down with the use of hydrocarbons (grease) causing slop/play in them which could cause erratic and or loss of steering control particularly in the front arms. Their arms require that they be greased periodically as routine maintenance. They did not mail out any notices to the customers that pruchased the defective arms but rather left it up to the consumers to find out on their own. They have a video on youtube and a link on their website in reference to a tsb #2 but unaware customers may be in jeopardy with the safety of their lives or others. The bushings as they state were supplied by daystar. Here is a link to their website listing the tsb's: https://rockkrawler.com/technical-service-bulletins/

Filed Jul 7, 2020 · Steering · 400 miles · IL

Truck wanders on highway. Steering has play in it that is basically a dead spot roughly 2 inches each way from center. Returned to dealer who stated it was out of alignment. Issue persisted and returned again the following week. This time it was reported that tie rod ends were bad and tech said it was not recommended to be driven. After tie rod replacement it was driven with service manager and issue persists. Service manager unsure what the issue is but admitted to me that there is play in the steering. We drove a comparative new from the lot and the issue was slightly worse on it. Still waiting, now six calendar days, for response from service manager about next steps. The vehicle is not able to be safely driven above 45-50mph. Truck was purchased with roughly 400 miles on it. Now has 1400, 400 of which have been accumulated from the 100 mile round trips to the dealership.