Jeep Gladiator Lemon Law

The Gladiator was included in the large Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator recall for a power-steering pump wiring defect that can overheat and cause a fire — even when the vehicle is parked and off — with owners told to park outside until repaired. That's a serious safety concern for a truck you depend on.

The Gladiator shares the Wrangler's solid front axle and is prone to "death wobble" — a violent front-end shaking after hitting a bump — along with drivetrain, transmission, and electrical complaints.

A recall isn't automatically a lemon. But a fire risk or uncontrollable front-end shaking is a serious safety defect. If the problem can't be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, or your Gladiator is out of service for an extended time, California's Lemon Law may entitle you to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement — with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your Gladiator has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your Jeep Gladiator qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and Jeep pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.