Gladiator 1 Year Review The Harsh Reality

The first 3-4k miles were rough and I started to second guess my decision to buy a Jeep Gladiator but after the warranty visits corrected the issues I spent 23k miles putting it through the grinder. Here is my review after putting this Gladiator to the test.

Issues Videos:

Bumper:

Bed cover:
Lyon cover 5'/60.3 Hard Tri Fold Truck Bed for 2020 2021 Gladiator JT Tonneau Cover | for Models with or Without The Deckrail System|

[jamesfinderup]

Thanks for the great review.
Just got a 2023 Jeep Gladiator yesterday and coming from a 2022 Ram limited.
There is a few creatures comforts I miss and a little ruffer ride, but so far, loving it. Its so fun to drive.
JIM from Ontario Canada

[davidberard]

Dude…I can’t tell you what a great review this was. I just bought a 2022 Gladiator Willy’s today (Mar 3, 2022) and then found your video and thought oh god, I wish I’d seen this before I signed…lol…I also had a great dealer experience today and hope that relationship will carry on. Thanks for helping me get over my buyers remorse! I’m 68 years old and this is my first truck so I wanted something fun, unique and iconic that wasn’t a Tacoma like 10 million other people drive. I had my first Jeep back in 1974 (‘72 CJ5) so the Glad is my second Jeep. Good luck to you and I hope your ride stays solid.

[robbranham]

Great review! Got my Gladiator a couple of months ago after driving half ton pickups for 25 years. Will never go back! I absolutely agree with all your comments regarding the truck.

[DUNEATV]

I have a Jeep JL Rubicon with 23, 000 miles and haven’t had a single issue. I’m getting 21.5 miles per gallon on average. I love it!

[bobbyfanman]

Nice honest review from someone who has driven the truck for a year and not just borrowed one from a dealership for a couple of hours. I had a 2021 Gladiator that I bought in December of '20. Same color, Sport S. Did the exact same thing you did, got some Rubicon wheels and tires from a Wrangler. I added a tonneau cover, Bedrug bedmat, etc. But what I hated was the steering. I wandered and drifted all over the road. It was literally very hard to keep the Gladiator between the lines. After a 4 or 5 hour trip to the lake or someplace, I was exhausted and nausea. I had a '17 JK Wrangler that gave me no problems in terms of the steering. I had the dealer replace the steering damper and the steering box on the Gladiator with no change. The steering on the Gladiator was so bad I finally sold it and bought a Colorado. Well now I miss having a jeep so I am looking to buy a '22 Gladiator. I am praying the steering on a '22 is better as I love everything else about the truck. I don't know if I just got a real bad lemon in terms of the Gladiator and it's steering, or as I've gotten older I'm less tolerate of all of the "It's a jeep" issues that I accepted back in the 80's when I had a jeep and with my 2017. Did you or do you have any steering issues? I look forward to hearing your comments about your Gladiator's steering. Thanks.

[icecreamsikeyuhasz]

Its a Jeep! I dont know why people expect it to be refined, smooth & quiet?! Still loving my '02 TJ 4.0L.

[mauricekw]

got my 1st truck in Gladiator, I'm very happy with my jeep. hands down

[chuckcribbs]

Flip your camera!

That being said, my manual Rubicon Gladiator has 43000 miles in about 21 months. It’s been pretty trouble-free other than a radiator sensor that went out, and the serpentine belt started to squeak so they replaced it for free. I also drive 80 miles a day for work on back roads and I get 19+ mpg. I’ve also done a lot of hauling of wood and drywall for our barn build. It’s a work truck on the weekends.

Overall the ability to take off the tops and doors, manual transmission and off-road capability is awesome. I’m very happy with it.

[billredding]

I agree that the Gladiator is a very decent mid-size truck...mine (2021 Gladiator Rubicon) is my Daily Driver as well, so it has to do pretty much everything I need it to. It does. :-)
Recently had my First Service (engine oil/filter change & tire-rotation) and have almost 6000 miles on it (since mid-April 2021). Only one issue so far (but nothing serious): My rear (backup) camera started looking less clear blurry (lower-resolution) than it was for the first few months but the front camera ("Trail Cam") was fine. Jeep said the backup cam looked to have some condensation in it (I couldn't see any myself though), so they ordered/installed a new camera -- it's fine now.
Otherwise, no issues at all in almost 6K miles. :-)
I HAVE "modded" (if you will) my Gladiator but not for "looks" (don't care about vanity/cosmetics stuff) and only did 4 things:
1. Rain-X Endura (silicone) windshield-wipers.
2. Redline Tuning gas struts for the hood.
3. Mopar locking gas cap (the one you key yourself to fit your OEM key-fob key).
4. A hard/tri-fold bed cover so I can carry stuff in the bed protected from the weather AND keep out of sight as well. ;-)
...that's it.
No lift, no bigger/different tires, no re-gearing -- none of that stuff done OR will be done. Nor do I ever plan on taking the top or doors off (that wasn't of any importance in my buying decision).
My ONLY dislike is the low MPG numbers, but none of the off-road focused serious 4x4 vehicles get great MPG, so it's an acceptable trade-off for everything ELSE I'm getting.
Glad your issues have been corrected (and under warranty!) even if it was a hassle/inconvenience dealing with them.
Perhaps mine hasn't had such issues due to it being a 2021 model, so perhaps Jeep "fixed stuff" seen in the 2020 models so the 2021s wouldn't have the same issues -- I know the "wandering steering" was one of the fixes as mine is fine!
Would I buy another Gladiator Rubicon?
Yes...in 3-4 years (after it's paid off!) IF I don't want to keep it longer, or the new (2024-25 models) Gladiator is incredibly "better" (but not incredibly higher-priced!)...but I don't see how a future Gladiator Rubicon would be THAT much more capable than what they are now, so I still may be keeping mine for quite a while.
But who knows what the auto-industry situation will be then, and even IF Jeep will still be making Gladiators then. Or, Ford DOES finally make a Bronco TRUCK to compete with it.
But that's then...
NOW, I'm very pleased with mine.
Happy Gladiator-ing,
-- BR

[gemfaceter]

I am so glad your dealer fixed your issues. I disarmed my motor stop start function like you I hated it. I own a 2022 Gladiator Rubicon and so far I love it. Thanks so much for your review.

[ArkyJane]

Coming from a 78 CJ to a 22 Gladiator. I find myself in awe.

[roadkingrider]

I’ve never owned a Jeep. I currently have a Ram 3500 I bought new and it has 230, 000 miles on it. My next vehicle will be a Jeep. I’m planning on keeping my truck. However I’ve always bought trucks. I’m leaning on getting the Gladiator. Seems like it’s exactly what I want. I appreciate the review.

[popcornjoe]

Owned jeeps for 30+ years. Love my gladiator

[CaptainBadChad]

Thanks for the video, It was very informative. I just bought a 21 Willy's Gladiator.

[mrbxv]

Great honest review. Glad you got your Jeep fixed and it’s running well

[scotteramsey]

Love my Nacho Gladiator. The recess and louver on the front fender is to let air out if engine to help eliminate hood flutter like the JK had. Great review.

[colinwong]

thank you for your video review and it is very helpful for people who make the decision for this vehicle 👍🏾👍🏾🍺

[AstroNerd]

Good video, thanks. I’m waiting on my 2022 Sport S, just ordered it. According to the owners manual, the Sport S with just the tow package is 6, 000 lbs, not 6, 300 or 6, 400. Also, definitely should weigh your camper, you’d be surprised how quickly the weight adds up. Not sure how much you tow outside of flat Florida, but you definitely need to leave a good margin on towing weight when you starting towing in the mountains or at altitude. We will be upgrading our camper in a year or so to something in the 20 ft range like a Lance 1685 that maxes out at 5, 500 lbs but I still went for the max tow package that gives me 7, 650 lbs for towing. Thanks again for the review!

[atombomb]

The start/ stop feature really sucks in the JL Wrangler 6speed manual transmission- i always disengage. Those 2 things dont mix.

I'm loving my 4 door Unlimited Sahara-& this is coming from a 4Runner guy 😅

[ricardolopezdevictoria]

Check your caliper bolts. My rear caliper fell off with 31k miles, leaking oil pan and broken cooler.