MODEL
Jeep Gladiator
NHTSA safety across every Jeep Gladiator model year we cover.
Across the 7 model years of the Jeep Gladiator we cover (2020 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2026 at 74 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2022 at 57. 32 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Jeep Gladiator is a midsize pickup truck - not a sedan - built on the iconic Wrangler platform and aimed squarely at off-road enthusiasts who also need genuine truck utility. Sold in model years 2020 through 2025, it occupies a niche segment as one of the few body-on-frame, convertible-roof pickups on the market, appealing to adventure-oriented buyers who want trail capability alongside everyday hauling.
From a pure safety standpoint, the Jeep Gladiator presents a picture that demands careful attention. Across the 2020-2025 model years we cover, the best NHTSA Safety Index this truck has achieved is 69 out of 100, recorded on the 2025 model - a score that lands in the Below Average to Weak band range. That is not a reassuring ceiling for a vehicle in its sixth model year of production. Crash-test results reinforce the concern: the best frontal rating we have on record is 4 out of 5 stars, which is acceptable but not class-leading, while the rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars reflects the tall, narrow, body-on-frame architecture the Gladiator shares with the Wrangler. Side crash results are not rated, which leaves a meaningful gap in the safety picture. The recall count is genuinely alarming - 32 recalls across six model years, including 5 park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns that signal serious safety urgency. Owner complaints total 953, with 24 alleged crashes, 27 alleged fires, and 21 reported injuries embedded in that figure. These are unverified allegations, but the fire-related complaints in particular deserve scrutiny from any prospective buyer. The Gladiator is a distinctive, capable truck, but its safety profile consistently trails its segment rivals. Shoppers should weigh that tradeoff honestly.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Gladiator for its off-road capability, open-air driving experience, and the novelty of combining Wrangler DNA with a pickup bed. Most acknowledge it sacrifices on-road refinement, fuel efficiency, and - relevant to our focus here - passive safety credentials compared to more mainstream midsize truck competitors.
- The Gladiator's best NHTSA Safety Index score across covered years is 69 out of 100, placing it in the Below Average to Weak performance band even at its best - a meaningful disadvantage compared to higher-rated midsize truck alternatives.
- Thirty-two recalls have been issued across the 2020-2025 model years, including 5 park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns - the most serious category NHTSA issues - indicating recurring safety concerns significant enough to warrant immediate action from owners.
- The rollover star rating of 3 out of 5 reflects the Gladiator's tall, narrow, Wrangler-derived body-on-frame structure, which carries an inherent rollover risk that buyers should weigh carefully, especially given that side crash-test data is not rated.
- Owner complaints include 27 alleged fire incidents and 24 alleged crashes across the covered model years - these are unverified allegations, but prospective buyers should check NHTSA's database for any open investigations or active recall notices before purchasing.
Most-recalled year on record: 2022 Jeep Gladiator with 8 recalls.