2021 Jeep Gladiator: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Mar 27, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · AZ · crash · 2 injuries

On February 25, 2023, while slowing down as I approached an intersection controlled by a red signal light and applied my brakes which was slowing me down. My foot never moved off the brake pedal as I slowed down. Suddenly, the Jeep Gladiator "accelerated/surged" forward and stated gaining speed. Although I was applying constant pressure on the brake pedal, the vehicle never slowed down or stopped because after traveling 200-300 feet and striking two signal light poles and a communications box, the vehicle came to a stop. This was the third incidence of Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA). Tshe vehicle is available for inspection and under the supervision of Safeco Insurance. In this case, injuries were limited to a passenger broken toe and the driver being bruised. Similar accidents involving striking stationary poles resulted in death but we were spared that outcome. The first instance of SUA occurred on a street near my home and while applying constant pressure on the brake pedal, the vehicle finally skidded to a stop after traveling approximately 200 feet. The second instance of SUA occurred while pulling into a parking lot, and again, after applying constant pressure on the brake pedal, the vehicle came to a stop after traveling approximately 300 feet. After the first and second instances, I took the vehicle into the dealership, but they could not find anything wrong. The police report blamed an electrical/mechanical failure. No warning lights or messages were noted.

Filed Oct 25, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · VA

The vehicle suddenly accelerates. The rpm’s shoot up real high, the Jeep accelerates and the brakes do NOT work. This has occurred while driving at 55-60 mph and twice driving in city traffic going approx. 30-35. The acceleration increases and is stuck. I press the brakes and they do not work until whatever is sticking releases.

Filed Dec 27, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · TX

There is a failure of the vehicle’s Brake Throttle Override (BTO) system which poses a serious safety hazard. When braking the throttle will surge from ~500 to ~1,500 RPMs without driver input (foot completely off the accelerator pedal, clutch pedal pressed in, and applying brake pedal). Despite the driver’s foot firmly engaging the brake pedal, the vehicle sends rogue commands to the throttle to surge in the direction opposition to the driver’s inputs and intentions. The BTO malfunction creates a serious safety hazard as it impacts stopping distance. It also causes driver distraction / confusion causing them to second guess that they accidentally brushed the accelerator, which could lead to a serious accident. There is a significant risk that the vehicle’s BTO system may not prevent an unintended acceleration (UA) event leading to severe injury or death. For driver safety, the BTO system should be fully operational and the throttle should not spike while braking. The BTO malfunction was reproduced and confirmed by multiple service personnel at the local dealership. However, the Service Director falsified and backdated the service records to claim that they “couldn’t duplicate concern” and that the “vehicle is driving normal.” An FCA Technical Advisor (TA) inspected the vehicle, and he stated that “the brake pedal should always take precedence over the accelerator”. The FCA TA stated that the vehicle was “operating as designed” when he could not recreate the issue. However, the same FCA TA stated the vehicle was “operating as designed” after he was able to recreate the throttle surge while braking multiple times. Both of these statements cannot be factually correct as they directly contradict. The FCA TA claims that vehicle is “operating as designed” indicating that the Jeep Engineering Team violated the BTO standard governing the safe operation of a motor vehicle when designing the Gladiator. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Dec 17, 2021 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · OR

While ACC deactivated but not turned off (in "cancelled state", where you can resume with a button), I was at a Drive-Thru ordering my food, when I finished ordering I slowly lift my foot of the brake then suddenly the car lunged forward as if it was going to catch up to set cruise control speed, fortunately I braked immediately otherwise I could have crashed into the car in front of me. Another incident happened on my driveway, I stopped on my driveway to open the garage door, when I lifted my foot of the brake, the car lunged forward. (Same as before, ACC deactivated but not turned off). It is very scary and worrisome, I am worried that it will happen again and I won't be so lucky then.

Filed Nov 12, 2020 · Transmission · 10 miles · LA

Vehicle has irregular downshifts in lower gears. While braking the downshifts can be heard as well as felt. The sounds and shake from downshifts vary in loudness and strength. Occasionally while braking and the automatic transmission is downshifting, the vehicle will surge forward. The surge that can be felt can vary and seem like the vehicle is being hit from the rear by another vehicle or sometimes it may feel like a slight push from behind. While driving and braking at low speeds like in a parking lot the surge from downshifts are a definite safety concern. The loud downshifts as well as the surging does not happen on every downshift. A search of online jeep forums revealed other jeep gladiator owners with similar issues while others have very smooth shifting vehicles. Jeep should be aware of issues but clearly with my 2021 model being the second year of production, the problems are not fixed.