2021 JEEP GLADIATOR Vehicle Speed Control Problems

There is an active parts recall for some Gladiators, Recall 26A, for the right rear axle shaft. This part on my vehicle has been failing for over 6 months. The ABS system, Traction Control, and 4WD system have active fault codes, preventing these systems from working as intended. In the last month, this problem has become unsafe due to 3 separate incidents where the traction control has triggered during normal driving conditions, causing the vehicle to become inoperable. In each of these incidents, I was travelling in a straight line, on dry roads, when the traction control system activated, preventing all acceleration to occur. In the first occurrence I was in a tunnel, and unable to pull over as there was no shoulder. This was driving in a straight line, accelerating up to about 15 mph before the traction control kicked in and disabled the drive train. Traffic was able...

Starting in August of 2022 I started getting error messages from the car about Electronic Stability Control, Antilock Brake Systems, and Collision Avoidance problems. These seemed to come and go. But if I was on the highway with Cruise Control on and these messages appeared the car immediately drops out of Cruise Control. In addition if it happened while braking the pedal would go almost to the floor and I would have to pump several times to get the brakes to work. I took this car to the dealership on 10/3/2022, 3/20/2023, and 5/20/2023. In the first 2 instances I was told the part would be available within 6 weeks. For the last instance I was told the part would be in in 2 weeks. That was over 6 weeks ago and still Jeep has been unable to provide the part. Being unable to provide a part so key to...

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...

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.

Vehicle will give you a warning to not shut off vehicle or you may not be able to put it back in drive, it automatically puts itself in park when coming to a stop at a stop light (without any door being opened). Automatically gives itself throttle when in Four Low. This vehicle has been in the shop more than I have had it since purchasing on 3/27/2021 for all of these electrical problems and whatever other problem it is that it has (I am unsure). It has never been fixed and is currently sitting at Freemont Motors in Cody WY waiting another attempt at repair.

On 3 different occasions the acceleration got stuck and increased speed. I pressed the brake over and over and the Jeep would NOT reduce speed or slow down for what ranged between 30 - 45 seconds. Had there been a vehicle directly in front of me I would have slammed into the vehicle. If I had been trying to stop at an intersection I would not have been able to stop. I had my child in the car two out of the three times this has occurred. The dealership states that they have not had any complaints of this occurring and could not replicate it during the few minutes they drove it and do not seem to be concerned that this issue could seriously injure or kill me, my child, or others. This is a SERIOUS issue that should be addressed immediately.

Vehicle derates power when ambient temps are 85* F and up while towing my camp (which is far below the max tow rating) During a couple of these derates I was in areas where the speed limit was 65 and 75 mph, my max obtainable speed was 35mph. I heavy truck traffic i feel that was in danger and a hazard in the road. This vehicle is rated to tow far more than the loads it is actually capable of towing in higher temperatures. I have seen my oil temps rise to 265* F on multiple occasions and it seems this is around the temperature that the vehicle starts to derate. It has been my observation that the cooling system is under sized and in turn puts occupants of the vehicle at risk.

While towing a trailer the vehicle suddenly reduces power to less than half and multiple check engine lights appear. This seems to happen only when outside temperatures are above 80f. I went from going 65mph to 45mph within 1/4 mile which caused sudden traffic issues behind me. I have had the vehicle to the dealer multiple times and they do not find anything even though there are multiple engine lights. I have had it happen a over 8 times in 1 year. I also have a co-worker that has had the same issue.

The vehicle’s throttle spikes / surges when the driver completely lifts off the accelerator and presses in the clutch. The issue indicates the throttle sticks after the driver lifts off the accelerator. The issue happens in multiple gears at various RPMs. The issue happens with or without the climate controls off. The issue regularly occurs in 4th gear at 44 mph at ~1900 RPMs. On 1/26/2021 while on a ride along, the customer and Service Tech at Texan DCJR were able to recreate the issue multiple times. On 1/29/2021, the Service Director at Texan DCJR stated to the customer that he and 3 members of his team were able to recreate the issue multiple times. However, the Service Director falsified and backdated the service records to 1/28/2021 claiming that they “couldn’t duplicate concern” and that the “vehicle is driving normal.” After two inspections, the FCA TA claimed that he “couldn’t...

The vehicle’s throttle surges sporadically when shifting gears without driver input to the accelerator / controls. The issue impacts the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely in heavy traffic or dynamic situations. The throttle surges while shifting introduce delays to driver reaction times, and they create a safety hazard in heavy traffic where fractions of a second can make the difference in a major accident. The throttle surge while shifting 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.” The throttle surge while shifting was recreated by 4 independent mechanic shops and documented as a safety concern. An FCA Technical Advisor (TA) claimed that the vehicle was “operating as designed“ both when he could not recreate the issue and when he...

The vehicle fails to maintain idle. During normal driving conditions the idle spikes significantly and noticeable from 200 – 2,000 RPMs. The throttle surges unpredictably without driver input to the controls. The failure of the vehicle to maintain idle creates a serious safety hazard as it distracts the driver’s attention and substantially impairs the vehicle’s use during routine driving tasks. The failure to maintain idle 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 TA stated that, “There are certain scenarios where the engine's idle speed may increase normally without accelerator input, this would include A/C operation or alternator charging requirements, however the difference in rpm is very slight and most people do not notice it and it will not...

The vehicle operates in direction violation of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 49 CFR 571 Standard No. 124 outlining the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards governing the operation of the Accelerator Control Systems. The “standard establishes requirements for the return of a vehicle's throttle to the idle position when the driver removes the actuating force from the accelerator control.” 571.124 Section 5.1 requires that “there shall be at least two sources of energy capable of returning the throttle to the idle position within the time limit specified by S5.3 from any accelerator position or speed whenever the driver removes the opposing actuating force.” 571.124 Section 5.3 requires that the “maximum time to return to idle position shall be 1 second.” After testing, the average return to idle time is 5.2 seconds, indicating the failure of a dual-redundant fail safe. The excessive delay in the return to idle is due...

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.