Truck failed to find gear shuddered lost speed in traffic while going up a hill. Limp mode was initiated. This is a known manufacturers defect with a tsb applied against the known issue. Issue is widespread when researched but not made known by the manufacturer of the truck. Dealership refusing repair under goodwill due to truck being out of mileage by 5000miles. Symptoms started prior to exiting warranty but due to no communication by dealership or manufacturer unit was not brought in for repair prior. Repeat this is a known defect that is being ignored by manufacturer.
Jeep Gladiator won't shift problems
23 of the 1,000 owner complaints about the Jeep Gladiator describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2021 model year.
- owner complaints
- 23
- worst model year
- 2021
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 8Power steering loss 4Loss of power 4Transmission failure 3Won't start 2Wipers 2Start-stop 2Stalling 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P0733 1P0300 1P018B 1
What owners say
2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport S equipped with 6 speed manual transmission purchased from Landers Jeep in Little Rock Ar. Vehicle required the A-19 clutch recall. Recall was completed and I took ownership 6/17/2025. I returned the vehicle within the first week of ownership due to the "service transmission" light periodically coming on. Dealership reset the clutch counter and attempted to give me advice on how to drive a vehicle I was more than capable driving before purchasing. After 13 months and 13k miles I have now gotten a "clutch hot fully release clutch pedal and reduce clutch use" warning twice while traveling down the interstate at 65mph. When this light comes on the vehicle enters "limp mode" and dramatically loses power, not to mention the original recall warnings of fire and fragments. Now clutch is slipping and vehicle power is reduced. Today at a scheduled service appointment to readdress this issue, I was informed by the service manager at Landers that they only fix recalls once and will not readdress the issue.
7/5/2026. Driving home on the highway the Jeep went into limp mode and shut down. The Fault flashed on the screen for about 15 seconds (Throttle Body Falut) Problem is there is no warning when it happens. It just shuts down. This creates a "REALLY SERIOUS HAZZARD" This time it did register a fault on the computer and we were able to pull it off the reader. The Fault reads as follows: POOAF In looking it up on this is a manufacuring problem that can be caused by a little dirt, Can be caused by hot weather. THIS IS NOT SAFE! MY I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT SAFE! This should be recalled and Fixed as I am sure this shutting down on the Hiways and Interstates have killed people that were not able to deal with a situation. Please force a recall befor lives are lost!
Engine light came on, vehicle went into limp mode. Transmission would not shift any higher than 3rd gear and kept slipping while on interstate! Was almost hit by several 18 wheelers! Jeep dealership said our vin is not part of the service bulletin but they did get the P0733 code! Make it make sense! I guess we’re supposed to get run over by 18 wheelers before they’ll fix it!
Multiple control modules lost communication due to faulty Can Bus connection behind glove box. Vehicle went into limp mode then forced me to put in park while at red light, essentially disabling vehicle.
Last year I received a message, letter and perhaps an email related to my jeep and recall for the clutch plate assembly. The recall was performed twice because first was incorrect. Transmission had to be replaced a few weeks later. Since then, I've had numerous visits to dealership, and had several incidents this week traveling across country to clear "Service Transmission messages: on the display, and two incidents where the jeep went into "limp mode" at high speeds. Four more stops have not fixed the problem. Now I am at a place who has found that the transmission was not installed properly, the software wasn't properly flashed and things were left hanging (connectors and cables) without being properly secured. The transmission was replaced under warranty, which has run out, but these messages have been appearing since the original recall. Now, I am going to have to pay a large fee (over 3000 dollars) to get Jeep back. Plus paying 100 to another dealership in Kansas to have them look at the jeep without a remedy. (See:Jeep Recall 19A / the federal safety agency Campaign 23V116, the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑572, the federal safety agency Recall 21V‑028 / Jeep Recall Y01 ) - my Jeep is listed as "0 recalls" but the dealership has not reported any work on my vehicle to CarFax. The repair shop is working with me to collect evidence (Photos, documentation, and data about the Jeep's issues. ALL of this began immediately after the first recall last year, and these problems have not been remedied, and the Jeep has become dangerous when on the highway. (Limp mode multiple times: 17 Feb2026, 13 May 26, 13 May 26 all at highway speeds). This should have been covered under warranty, and I should not be subjected to "No repair" because a dealership "Doesn't see a problem" - the computer doesn't keep any codes for these incidents, thus they will not dig into the problem, and now warranty has expired so they can charge whatever they wish.
Premature clutch failure around 20,000 miles. It happened the first time the 4WD was engaged. Vehicle is in limp mode and cannot drive. There were no warnings prior to the issue. Previous year models have had the federal safety agency recalls issued for clutch failures.
Two of the same faults occurred within the same month of each other. The first: while driving home from work on the highway, while heavily raining, without warning every alarm light possible engaged, windshield wipers went full speed, vehicle would not shift, and my steering locked up (not to be confused with lost power steering). After about a mile I was able to encourage the Jeep off the side of the highway. While waiting for my tow, with the E Brake set and in Park, the Jeep kept trying to crawl forward on its own. I was unable to turn the vehicle off as it would not respond, in addition to an alarm warning saying not to turn off the Jeep. The second occurrence was in the parking garage at work; I pulled through the parking stall, put the Jeep in reverse to back up and the same fault took place. No steering, wipers on full speed, every alarm on the dash was engaged. Thankfully I was not a highway speed. I was able to turn off the Jeep this time after about 5 minutes of attempting to.
Check engine light came on and then shifter went into lock out mode while in drive with notice on dash to service shifter. Shifter will not shift out of park state without pulling service release for neutral.
I used the 4 wheel drive and received message that clutch was hot, then received message to service transmission. Vehicle went into limp mode. Drove at speeds of 35 to 40 miles an hour. 50 miles an hour down hill. Had to drive access roads because [XXX] traffic is 75 miles per hour. Several times speed was even slower. Took it to brown dodge in Devine. The reset system and said I could not use 4x4. Referenced star code s2521000001. I took vehicle in 7/13/25. I wonder if they even previously preformed recall 19a clutch on This manual transmission. Purchased Mojave Jan/2023, recalled received 4/23. Recall repaired 6/24. On 15000 miles on it and the first time I use 4x4 the vehicle became useless and barely able to move. I wonder if software upgrade for 19a really fixed the 19a issue or just was a bandage to buy more time. I have purchased several Chrysler products and the manufacturer lack of addressing the issues is concerning. I’m [XXX] this is the first time I had to file a complaint. Not knowing when they will address the problem on a vehicle I purchased to enjoy my retirement is sad INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Related recalls
Power train: manual transmission: control module: software
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles that were previously remedied under the federal safety agency recall number 23V‑116. The software for the powertrain control module may cause an engine stall, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 92B. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 23V‑116 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall number 24V572000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US), LLC is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The rearview camera may fail to display the rearview image and the reverse lights may not illuminate when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- A disabled rearview image can decrease the driver's visibility of the rear view, and disabled reverse lights may not alert others that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the gear position sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 92A.
Recall number 23V641000 · Recall details
Power train: clutch assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- Risk
- Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V‑028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V‑028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall number 23V116000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: park pawl
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The transmission parking wheel may not properly engage with the parking mechanism.
- Risk
- A malfunctioning parking mechanism may result in the loss of the 'park' position, including vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Entire US population are unsold units and will be repaired before they can be sold. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA, LLC's number for this recall is Z84.
Recall number 22V639000 · Recall details
Power train: clutch assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- Risk
- Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.
Recall number 21V028000 · Recall details
Power train: clutch assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- Risk
- The overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W12.
Recall number 20V124000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The rear driveshafts may have been incorrectly assembled without grease in the monoblock joint.
- Risk
- A joint without grease may overheat and seize, possibly causing the driveshaft to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power. If the driveshaft completely separates from the vehicle it may become a road hazard. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US number for this recall is V95.
Recall number 19V636000 · Recall details
Questions about the Jeep Gladiator won't shift
Which Jeep Gladiator years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2021 (9 complaints), 2020 (6 complaints) and 2022 (3 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Jeep Gladiator?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history