2020 Jeep Gladiator Brakes Problems

I was driving at about 5 MPH and about to go onto the Freeway on ramp in Riverside, California, when the sensor in my car went off and locked the brakes, causing the person behind me to rear-end me. This is not the first time this has happened with this vehicle. Luckily, I was not injured, however, this could have been a serious injury if I was traveling at a higher speed or under many other circumstances.

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, he heard a scraping sound inside the vehicle. The contact then stated that while he pulled into a service station, the brake pad and caliper bracket assembly detached and got caught in the rear passenger’s side wheel, causing the tire to be punctured. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

Two missing Bolts on Rear Drivers side break caliber.

FIRST INCIDENT WAS APPROACHING A TURN OFF INTO A SHOPPING AREA, A CAR WAS STOPPED THERE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC AS I APPROACHED I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO WAY DOWN, I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO RECYCLE BRAKE PEDAL AS IT WENT SO FAR DOWN I WAS HITTING GAS PEDAL, THUS CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING TO TOWN AND A STRONG BRAKE BURNT SMELL WAS OCCURRING, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AGAIN BRAKE PEDAL WENT WAY DOWN AGAIN WHICH THIS TIME I HAD TIME TO REGAIN CONTROL FROM HITTING GAS PEDAL AND FORCE STOP, INSPECTED BRAKES AND FRONT BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY HOT AND SMOKING AS IF BRAKES WERE BEING CONSTANTLY APPLIED, I DID NOT FEEL BRAKES BEING APPLIED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY JUST SMELL AND INSPECTION OF FRONT BRAKES HEATING UP. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR STATION WAITING ON RESULTS. I FEEL THAT IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AND MAJOR ACCIDENT.

VERY SPONGINESS, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. BOTH WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AND WHEN IN MOTION ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO A JEEP GLADIATOR DEALER, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT NOT FIX THE BRAKE PROBLEMS.

A braking sensor failed on the Gladiator causing the ABS, 4WD, and cruise warning lights to become illuminated. The brakes then did not work properly causing an accident. The EDR report shows the ABS system was turned off as a result of the sensor. The attached documentation shows an expert reviewed the information and came to the conclusion the failed sensor caused the ABS to be off which in turn caused the brakes to lock. The brakes locking caused a skid which caused the accident. Also to note the general manager of Bellevue AutoNation let me know the sensor has since been changed out along with the brake cables on 06/05/2021 for all Jeep Gladiators. Jeep has known this is a problem and has not done a recall.