NHTSA Complaint #11694453 — 2021 JEEP GLADIATOR

The third brake light, located on the tailgate of the 2021 Jeep Gladiator, has ceased to function due to a failure within the printed circuit board (PCB) inside the light housing. This issue has been confirmed by a third-party repair shop, which has noted that the PCB appears to be broken or damaged, rendering the brake light inoperable. Notably, the vehicle's instrument panel does not provide any notification or alert regarding the malfunction of the third brake light, which could lead to a significant safety risk. This failure impacts the vehicle's ability to properly signal braking and deceleration to other motorists, particularly from the rear. Given that the third brake light is a critical component for road safety, this issue poses a significant risk of rear-end collisions, especially under conditions where visibility is compromised. When the third brake light fails to illuminate this reduces the overall visibility of the vehicle’s braking signals, particularly in situations where the tailgate is obscured or when the vehicle is loaded. The lack of a functional third brake light increases the likelihood of a rear-end collision, putting both the driver and other road users at risk. The failure of the third brake light due to a malfunctioning PCB appears to be a common issue among 2021 Jeep Gladiators. The problem has been reported by multiple owners, and the root cause appears to be related to the design or manufacturing of the printed circuit board within the light assembly. The third brake light has been inspected by a third-party repair shop, which confirmed the malfunction of the PCB. However, despite the issue being identified, there has been no alert or warning displayed on the vehicle's instrument panel. There is no indication within the vehicle's diagnostic system that the third brake light is inoperative. Given the potential safety hazards and the recurring nature of this issue I respectfully request that the NHTSA conduct an investigation.