One of the better Cherokee years
Owners filed about 50% fewer complaints than a typical Cherokee year. The area owners reported most is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 41,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Cherokee years from 2014 to 2023. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 689 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (297, 43% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the engine and cooling. That ranks 6th of 10 Cherokee years from 2014 to 2023 for complaints. It has 7 recalls.
1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2018 Jeep Cherokee before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
297 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving, the "4WD System Service Required" message was displayed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); and associated the failure with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, the contact…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 87,800 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the 4WD warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 111,000 miles
Electrical system
190 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I have a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The exact component causing the problem is UNKNOWN. While driving, a “Service Shifter” warning appeared on the dashboard and all of the gear indicator lights illuminated at the same time. After I turned the vehicle off and restarted it, the warning disappeared. On a separate occasion, a “4WD Service…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Back up camera turns to static when going in reverse. Has been happening for years. No warnings. Just malfunctioning. Reported this in 2019 to Jeep.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
159 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2018 Jeep Cherokee suffered a Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure in February 2025 while my family was on vacation. The vehicle was delivered to Walker Jeep in Alexandria, Louisiana and has remained there for approximately one year. I reside in Texas, approximately five hours away. The failure involves the same PTU defect covered under…Owner complaint, filed 2026
A common issue with Jeeps with plastic oil filter housing is the oil filter housing cracks leading to oil leaks and engine damage.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
52 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Less than 57,000 miles on vehicle. January 3, 2026. Parking brake engaged and froze. Interrupted driving. Got vehicle home. "Service Brake" came on. Attempted all recommended actions to disengage Parking Brake. Parking Brake continued engagement and the Vehicle cannot be driven.Owner complaint, filed 2026
The brakes are locked up and will not disengage one week after coming home from the store in the rain. I was lucky enough to have it parked in my garage when I found out. I had a mobile mechanic look it over and I was told that the electronic brake control module needs to be replaced. The vehicle only has a little over 8,000 miles on it…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Steering
30 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The steering rack failed about one week after I purchased the vehicle. The dealer replaced the steering rack once, but the same problem happened again about six months later. The vehicle has now been at the dealership for about one year waiting for another replacement steering rack. The dealer informed me the part is unavailable and must…Owner complaint, filed 2026
while driving about 50 mph, I suddenly lost steering and many alarm lights came on. the car was very difficult to steer and I had a difficult time to return homeOwner complaint, filed 2022
Fuel system
26 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Start/Stop System - As I was pulling out of a parking lot I stopped and then needed to get a quick insert into traffic. As I started to accelerate the system shutdown and sputtered before starting again, needless to say I was almost rammed by traffic. This happened two times on the same day I was almost hit because of the…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The vehicle has stalled out three times while pulling out into traffic, the dealer said when the oil gets low it shuts off. There was no oil showing the oil stick at all and I have only 2,008 miles on it. It should not completely use all the oil in 2,000 miles.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 2,008 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
20 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
While engaged in cruise control at 63mph, going up a hill, upon desending hill car unexpectedly starts to down shift and accelerate to 70+ before I disengage cruise control through brake pedal usage. This has happened repeatedly while desending hills in a mountain terrian area, Does not repeat while driving on flat roads.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Service shifter light came on.. 2 days later car turned off while in driving saying change gear but I was currently in the correct gear . Very dangerous I was dropping my son off too school and car stoped in the middle of trafficOwner complaint, filed 2018, at 25,000 miles
Air bags
16 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while she and her children were stopped at a light and making a left turn, another vehicle accelerated through the yellow light and collided with the front of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy in her vehicle, but they deployed in the vehicle that collided with her…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I struck the back of a semi truck on the freeway at an estimated 35-40 miles per hour. I did not apply my brakes. Extensive damage to the entire front of my vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Suspension
9 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle and the steering wheel would violently shake and vibrate while depressing the brake pedal. The contact indicated that the check engine warning light was illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the transmission failed to shift into gear properly. The contact stated that the vehicle nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rear differential…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 90,000 miles
Driver assist systems
9 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Last week we noticed steering wheel controls not working, steering wheel heater .. cruise control ,, hands free,controls Today took in to Jeep dealer In superior Wi was told it is the Clock Spring , squib,, said that we have to replace entire unit including new airbag .. as we do not know for sure if until the work done ,air bag would…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Braking system engaged while driving at ~40mph. Emergency brake also appeared to engage. Once completely stopped, vehicle brakes were locked up and vehicle had to be hauled for service.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Lights, wipers and visibility
5 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
When the running lights and headlights are set to Auto, moving the lever to High Beam causes the lights to go out. I have been asking the dealer and trying to find a solution since buying the car new, but no recall had been issued for my VIN and the dealer will not correct the problem with a recall specific to my VIN and year/model.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The rear defroster or related electrical wiring in the rear glass/liftgate area appears to have malfunctioned and shorted, causing a fire while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unattended. The fire resulted in the rear glass shattering/blowing out. The incident was recorded on a residential security camera. This posed a…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Seats and seat belts
4 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
I fastened seatbelt. It retracted, but heard a rolling noise, which sounded like a can or bottle rolling in the floor behind me. Paid no attention to it and forgot about it. Next time I drove the Jeep, it happened again, so I got home and checked. There was nothing there to make that noise. Another short drive and I realized the seat…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Recently my son was complaining about difficulty buckling his seat belt. Upon inspection, I noticed that his seat belt was frayed in several places. It is now frayed half way through the width. I thought maybe he was being to rough with the seatbelt, until I noticed my older sons seatbelt was doing the same thing. To avoid using the…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 38,590 miles
Body, doors and structure
4 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that the cosmetic panel on the front driver's side door that went from the bottom to the top of the window, flew off while driving about 65 MPH. The contact called the landers chrysler dodge jeep ram of norman dealer (405-321-8228, 481 n interstate dr, norman, ok 73069) where it…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 25, 30 MPH on the highway, the brakes locked up, and the vehicle failed to move. The "Service Brakes" message illuminated on the instrument panel after the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V523000 (Service Brakes…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 102,000 miles
Wheels and tires
3 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear end of the vehicle was shaking abnormally, and the rear end of the vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with two fractured bolts on the rear passenger’s side wheel.…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 143,790 miles
Rear brakes were vibrating upon firm braking pressure at speed of 55-60. Dealer replaced rear rotors upon verifying vibration. "new rear rotors" had same vibrations and are now rusting at areas other then brake surfaces. Please see photosOwner complaint, filed 2019, at 1,500 miles
Jeep Cherokee complaints by year
Compare the 2018 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2018 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Jeep Cherokee | One of the better years | 7 |
| 2018 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 3 |
| 2018 Honda CR-V | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 | Worse than most years | 3 |
2018 Jeep Cherokee recalls
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
Electrical system Front underhood
- Risk
- A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Transmission and drivetrain Axle shaft
- Risk
- If the halfshaft bearing cage breaks, the halfshaft may not be able to transmit engine power, causing a loss of drive or it can allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.
Electrical system Wiring
- Risk
- If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Fuel system
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine. These vehicles may have been manufactured with a fuel tube that may leak fuel into the engine compartment.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
Equipment Labels
- Risk
- The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The tire and rim size information required to be on the Certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
2018 Jeep Cherokee questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
The most reported problem areas on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee are the transmission and drivetrain (297 complaints), the electrical system (190 complaints) and the engine and cooling (159 complaints).
Is the 2018 Jeep Cherokee a good year to buy?
One of the better Cherokee years. Owners filed about 50% fewer complaints than a typical Cherokee year. The area owners reported most is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 41,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Cherokee years from 2014 to 2023. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The most recent, from Jan 2025, covers the transmission and drivetrain. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 41,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 35,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Jeep Cherokee years should I avoid?
The Cherokee years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2014. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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