Last updated: 2026-03-28

Jeep Gladiator vs Tesla Cybertruck: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Jeep Gladiator and the Tesla Cybertruck? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize trucks.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Tesla Cybertruck currently leads with an average score of 59/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Jeep Gladiator and Tesla Cybertruck Generations Compare?

The Tesla Cybertruck is currently in its first generation, which began in 2024. As an early-stage platform, it may experience the typical first-year issues that can affect new vehicle models, although Tesla's continuous over-the-air updates often help address such concerns promptly. The initial production in 2024 included a facelift to refine the design and features, which is typical for an innovative vehicle launch. In contrast, the Jeep Gladiator lacks detailed generation history, making it challenging to pinpoint its maturity within its lifecycle. Generally, mature platforms like the Gladiator tend to be better sorted for reliability, suggesting it might offer more predictable dependability compared to the newer Cybertruck.

Verdict

The Tesla Cybertruck is more reliable than the Jeep Gladiator, scoring 59/100 vs 54/100.

The Tesla Cybertruck outperforms the Jeep Gladiator in reliability with an average score of 59/100 compared to the Gladiator's 54/100. The Cybertruck has a lower owner complaint rate of 23.7 per 10,000 sold, whereas the Gladiator's complaint data cannot be normalized due to missing sales figures. Despite both vehicles having multiple recalls, the Cybertruck's 13 recalls over three years is proportionally better than the Gladiator's 27 over seven years. Notably, the Cybertruck's common issues include structural and electrical problems, while the Gladiator frequently encounters steering and powertrain issues, making the Cybertruck the slightly more reliable choice overall.

Key Differences

  1. 1Tesla Cybertruck has 14 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Tesla Cybertruck scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

0Jeep Gladiator
2Tesla Cybertruck
Reliability ScoreTotal Recalls

Jeep Gladiator vs Tesla Cybertruck: Which Is More Reliable?

Jeep Gladiator vs Tesla Cybertruck at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricJeep GladiatorTesla Cybertruck
Reliability Score54/10059/100
Years Tracked73
Total Recalls2713
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume890118
Year Wins11

What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Gladiator and Tesla Cybertruck?

The Tesla Cybertruck and Jeep Gladiator exhibit distinct problem profiles. The Cybertruck has notable issues with its structure, steering, and electrical system, with a significant portion of complaints linked to crashes, particularly in forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control. In contrast, the Gladiator's most prevalent concerns lie in steering and the electrical system, with a relatively high number of overall complaints but fewer crash-linked incidents. The Gladiator also experiences a range of issues with the power train and engine, areas where the Cybertruck has fewer reported problems.

Jeep Gladiator vs Tesla Cybertruck common problem areas comparison
ComponentJeep GladiatorTesla Cybertruck
STEERING30812
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20712
POWER TRAIN121
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3813
ENGINE41
SUSPENSION37
STRUCTURE730
VISIBILITY/WIPER1812
SERVICE BRAKES15
FUEL SYSTEM15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL93
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8
AIR BAGS5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE5
LANE DEPARTURE2
TIRES2
BACK OVER PREVENTION2

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

How Does Jeep Gladiator vs Tesla Cybertruck Reliability Compare by Year?

Jeep Gladiator vs Tesla Cybertruck year-by-year reliability scores
YearJeep GladiatorTesla CybertruckEdge
202564/1000R / 7C65/1002R / 13CTesla Cybertruck
202459/1001R / 11C52/10010R / 104CJeep Gladiator
2026(predicted)58/100(predicted)59/100(predicted)Tesla Cybertruck

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Jeep Gladiator scored 64/100 and the 2025 Tesla Cybertruck scored 65/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Jeep Gladiator vs the Tesla Cybertruck?

If you prioritize reliability and are concerned about the number of recalls, the Tesla Cybertruck might be the better option for you. With a reliability score of 59/100 and 13 recalls, it outperforms the Jeep Gladiator in these areas. Additionally, the Cybertruck has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 23.7, suggesting a potentially smoother ownership experience. However, be prepared to encounter issues related to structure, visibility, steering, and the electrical system. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the ruggedness and off-road capabilities of a traditional truck, the Jeep Gladiator may still appeal to you despite its lower reliability score of 54/100. It has faced more recalls (27) and a higher number of total owner complaints (890), indicating possible challenges with steering, power train, and engine. Consider this model if these features align with your lifestyle and you are willing to manage potential maintenance concerns.

Jeep Gladiator vs Tesla Cybertruck: Common Questions

Is the Jeep Gladiator more reliable than the Tesla Cybertruck?
Based on our data, the Tesla Cybertruck is more reliable with an average score of 59/100 compared to 54/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Jeep Gladiator or the Tesla Cybertruck?
The Jeep Gladiator has more recalls (27) compared to the Tesla Cybertruck (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Jeep Gladiator or the Tesla Cybertruck?
The Tesla Cybertruck has fewer owner complaints (118) versus 890 for the Jeep Gladiator. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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