The Jeep Gladiator is a mid-size pickup truck designed to tackle the toughest terrain mother nature has to offer.
Jeep’s brand new off-road offering is powered by a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine and has an impressive towing capacity of 7,650 lbs.
The Gladiator is an eye-catching, all American pick-up that ticks many boxes, but can it withstand the test of time?
In this article, we’ll take a look at how many years of service you can expect from the Jeep Gladiator, let’s get started!
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Here is the short answer to how long does the Jeep Gladiator last:
The Jeep Gladiator boasts an impressive 200,000-mile life expectancy. Based on the average annual mileage of 15,000 miles, the Gladiator can last approximately 13.5 years when well looked after, regularly maintained and driven responsibly.
How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Jeep Gladiator?
The Gladiator is based on the same platform as the Wrangler and so we would expect it to have a similar lifespan of 200,000 miles.
If well looked after, there’s no reason why these numbers couldn’t be exceed, but for the most part we think this is a reasonable assessment.
The Gladiator is designed to haul heavy payloads, tow heavyweight objects and traverse unforgiving terrain, however pushing this pickup beyond its limits will impact its longevity.
The more stress a vehicle is put under the faster it’s component will accumulate wear and tear.
Improper use of the clutch when off-roading can cause transmission damage, as well as a host of other 4-wheeling related problems such as tire alignment issues and damage to the undercarriage.
Keep in mind that whilst off-roading is fun it’ll take its toll on your vehicle.
In order to get the most out of your Gladiator:
- Do not exceed the respective payload and towing capacities of the truck.
- When off-roading, take your time on the trail and think about each move before you make it
- keep up to date with factory required maintenance intervals as well as light-duty maintenance such as checking tire pressures and keeping oil fluid levels topped up.
How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Jeep Gladiator?
Since its debut in 2020, the Gladiator has had very few rust-related complaints although this may be attributed to the fact that it’s a relatively new model (other Jeeps are notorious for rusting particularly the undercarriage).
Some Gladiator owners have noticed rust along weld spots on the frame although these brown spots on the welds could be silica which is a byproduct of welding, and perfectly normal – if in doubt, you should contact your dealer.
Corrosion related issues are more prevalent when:
- Vehicles are used for off-roading due to the amount of dirt and water they’re exposed to.
- Driven in coastal regions where salt saturates the air.
- Driven in snow and where high amounts of salt is used on the roads, such as the Salt Belt States.
Salt buildup on vehicle surfaces is corrosive, and the sand, dirt and snow that accumulate can trap moisture in wheel wells and underbody structures.
To help mitigate against rust we’d advise investing in some form of rust prevention as well as regularly washing your Gladiator particularly after salt exposure.
Rust-free vehicles are safer to drive, easier to work on and have a much higher re-sale value.
Popular rust-proofing solutions with Jeep owners are:
- Fluid film – a lanolin-based brand of corrosion preventive and lubricant
- NHOU oil undercoating – Designed to protect the underside of your vehicle from rust and corrosion
- Ceramic coating – Provides a layer of protection to the vehicles factory paint
Please also read our articles: Jeep Gladiator in snow & winter driving and where are Jeep Gladiator made?
How Long Does the Jeep Gladiator Last Compared to Similar Car Models?
In terms of off-roading ability, few other pickup trucks in the market come close to the Gladiator. However, The Gladiator’s emphasis on all-terrain usability, towing, and hauling leaves room for other trucks to outperform it in terms of interior amenities, reliability, cost-efficiency, and daily usability.
In this segment, we’ll see how the Jeep Gladiator stacks up to its competitors.
Jeep Gladiator vs. Ford Ranger
While a capable off-roader in its own right, the Ford Ranger is slightly lacking in terms of all-terrain technology when compared to the Jeep Gladiator.
However, when it comes to longevity, the Ranger Raptor pulls ahead by a wide margin. With a life expectancy of 300,000 miles, the Ranger is capable of 20 years of service compared to the Gladiator’s 13.5.
Despite the noticeable gap in predicted service life, the difference in annual maintenance cost is a negligible $19, with the Ranger and Gladiator costing $615 and $634 respectively.
On top of the marginal difference in maintenance costs, both the Ford Ranger (88/100) and Jeep Gladiator (79/100) boast solid reliability numbers according to J.D. Power.
It is no surprise why Jeep and Ford have been at the top of consumer’s lists when it comes to active and rugged use. There’s no going wrong whether you choose the Ranger or Gladiator.
Jeep Gladiator vs. Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is no exception from the brand’s dedication to making long-lasting vehicles. With an average lifespan of 300,000 miles, the Toyota Highlander offers up to 7.5 more years of service than the Jeep Gladiator.
It may come as a surprise, but the Jeep Gladiator (77/100) and Toyota Tacoma (77/100) share identical reliability scores on J.D. Power.
Toyota’s talent for creating cost-efficient vehicles is not lost in the Tacoma. With an annual maintenance cost of $441, the Toyota Tacoma is $193 cheaper than the Jeep Gladiator ($634).
Toyota once again offers a vehicle that matches up to the competition while also being more practical for daily usage and longer-lasting.
Jeep Gladiator vs. Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is expected to last approximately 250,0000 when properly maintained and well looked after – 50,000 more miles than the Gladiator, which equates to 3.5 more years.
The Jeep Gladiator and Chevrolet Colorado cost $634 and $599 respectively in annual maintenance costs. This makes for a marginal difference of $35 between the two trucks.
Reports of reliability on both these trucks are impressive, with the Gladiator and Colorado rated 77/100 and 81/100 respectively according to J.D. Power.
The choice between the two trucks will be mostly down to aesthetic preferences, creature comforts, and other personal preference factors.
How Reliable is a Jeep Gladiator
It can be difficult to predict exactly how well a new vehicle measures up in terms of reliability as there isn’t enough data available yet.
That being said, Consumer Reports gave the Gladiator a predicted reliability score of 5/5, and also registered an impressive 5/5 for customer satisfaction.
The Gladiator has received respectable reliability scores from both J.D.Power – 77/100 and Car.USNews – 3/5.
The Best and Worst Years of the Jeep Gladiator
The best Jeep Gladiator model years are 2024, 2023, and 2022. The worst model years of this model are 2020 and 2021. This is based on auto industry reviews, NHTSA statistics, reported problems, and consumer feedback.
Related: 5 Best & Worst Jeep Gladiator Years (With Facts & Stats)
What About Recalls?
Since its debut, the Gladiator has been recalled numerous times.
A recall is issued when a manufacturer or the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) deems that a vehicle or one or more of its components creates an unreasonable safety risk or does not meet minimum safety requirements – recall related problems are fixed free of charge.
Here is the full list of recalls:
- 2020: 4 recalls
- 2021: 0 recalls
Jeep Gladiator Model Year List:
Here is a full list of model years for the Jeep Gladiator:
- 2020 Jeep Gladiator – 6
- 2021 Jeep Gladiator – 5
- 2022 Jeep Gladiator – 6
- 2023 Jeep Gladiator – 3
- 2024 Jeep Gladiator – NA
Is the Jeep Gladiator Expensive to Maintain?
The Jeep Gladiator will cost an average of $634 a year to maintain, with an expected cost of $3,447 over a 5 year period.
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
Jeep Gladiator brake pads usually last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. Note that driving habits and off-road usage are a big factor in the longevity of the brakes.
How you drive your vehicle will play a big part in brake longevity. If you tend to do a lot of stop-and-go driving or are prone to heavy braking then your brakes will need frequent replacement.
Full and complete stops from a high speed are the biggest culprit of premature brake pad wear.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
Jeep Gladiator tires can last between 3-4 years, which means an average of 50,000 miles.
Maintaining the correct tire pressure will not only keep you safe it will also bolster your tire’s lifespan, the correct pressure for your tires is usually located in the driver’s door jamb.
To ensure even wear of your tires, have them rotated regularly as specified in the owner’s manual or new-tire warranty guidelines, this is usually every 5,000 – 8,000 miles.
How Long Does the Transmission Last?
The transmission on the Jeep Gladiator is built to last between 130,000 to 180,000 miles without ever needing replacement, so long as a proper servicing schedule is followed.
Ensure fluid levels are topped up and fix any problems immediately to keep the transmission running smoothly.
How Long Do Spark Plugs Last?
Jeep Gladiator spark plugs are built to last between 30,000 and 40,000 miles before needing replacement.
Spark plugs are responsible for creating the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture, causing the explosion which makes the engine produce power.
They are usually inspected and if needed, replaced when you go for a tune up.
What About Insurance Cost?
The average insurance costs for a Jeep Gladiator is $254 per month or $3,048 annually according to Finder.com
Insurance costs can vary from person to person; be sure to shop around to find the best possible deal.
Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Jeep Gladiator
- Observe regular rust-proofing intervals.
- Avoid over-the-top modifications.
- Use only high-quality spare parts or after-market attachments.
- Drive carefully to prolong the life of your tires, brake pads, and to get the best possible longevity.
- Keep up to date with factory scheduled maintenance.
- Keep fluids topped up and check fluid levels regularly
- Check your tire pressures at regular intervals
- Check engine oil every two weeks
- If possible, keep the vehicle stored in a garage, out of the elements
- Use good quality parts and fluids
- Invest in a ceramic coating to protect against contaminants and minor scratches
- Consider all rust-proofing options
- Wash the vehicle regularly particularly when encountering salt and snow
- Do not overload your vehicle.
- Do not exceed towing limits
Related: Jeep Gladiator Beeping? (18 Common Causes)
Resources
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/jeep/gladiator
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2021/jeep/gladiator
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Jeep/Gladiator/2020/
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/jeep/gladiator/2020/overview/
https://www.jeep.com/gladiator.html
