2018 Jeep Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 686 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 12 Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 11 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power trainApr 29, 2025
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.
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
Campaign 25V011000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiring, front underhoodAug 9, 2018
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.
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Campaign 18V524000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftJul 26, 2018
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.
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. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U78.
Campaign 18V494000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 17, 2018
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.
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Campaign 18V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 1, 2018
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U39.
Campaign 18V282000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineOct 24, 2017
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.
If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.
Campaign 17V670000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsAug 31, 2017
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."
The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.
Campaign 17V543000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
190 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Oct 1, 2020
WHILE DRIVING I GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS SERVICE SHIFTER. AT THE SAME TIME ALL THE RED LIGHTS COME ON WHERE THE SHIFTER IS. IT STAYS ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. FEAR THAT IT WILL LOCK ON ME WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2020
HAD JEEP 2 YRS 6 TIMES WE HAVE HAD PROBLEM. DRIVING DOWN ROAD TURN CORNER SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON. SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY IT ALSO OCCURS. ALL LIGHTS ON SHITER LIGHTS UP RED. AND SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE COMES ON. HAPPENS 3-6 MONTHS. NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 18, 2020
'SERVICE SHIFTER' LIGHT HAS COME ON THE DASH SEVERAL TIMES. STARTING AT 26,000 MILES. HAVE TAKEN IT SEVERAL TIME TO CROWN CHRYSLER DOGE JEEP IN CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE FOR THEM TO TELL ME IT'S ONLY THE BATTERY. THIS BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THIS ISSUE IS STILL OCCURRING. TONIGHT, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020, MY JEEP CHEROKEE NOTIFIED SERVICE SHIFTER THE. SLAMMED THE EBRAKE ON WHILE GOING 55. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS STATING NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH AFTER PUSHING THE 'BUSH TO START' BUTTON 'TO CUT THE CAR OFF,' THE BUTTON STATES THE CAR IS OFF, BUT YET THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. I NO LONGER WANT THIS 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 14, 2020
ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER COME ON RANDOMLY WHEN TURNING ON VEHICLE. YOU CAN'T PUT IN DRIVE WHILE LIGHTS ARE ON. YOU HAVE TO TURN CAR ON MULTIPLE TIMES OR UNTIL LIGHTS GO OFF. ON DASH BOARD IT READS SERVICE GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2020
MY CHEROKEE IS 2018, I BOUGHT IT USED JAN OF 2020. IN SEPT OF 2020 MY STARTER BROKE, I PAID $550 TO GET IT FIXED. THIS MORNING, ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER THE STARTER IS BROKEN AGAIN. MY MECHANIC IS VERY GOOD, AND WARNED ME ABOUT MULTIPLE PEOPLE COMING IN WITH THIS ISSUE AND IT BREAKING AGAIN. HE TOLD ME TO GET A NEW CAR WHICH I PLANNED ON DOING BUT IT BROKE BEFORE I GOT THE CHANCE. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND MULTIPLE PEOPLE LEFT REVIEWS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 10, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP AND SOME CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL . DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW WIRING HARNESS AND BEZEL BUT IS NOT UNDER RECALL EVEN KNOW ITS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS. TALKED TO MULTIPUL PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSUE ONE INVOLVED IN A CRASH FROM IT
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2020
STARTED VEHICLE AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER PANEL CAME ON AND A WARNING OF "SERVICE SHIFTER" CAME ON THE DASH. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK AND AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS AT GETTING THIS FIXED, THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO CLUE. IT IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER KEEPS APPEARING ON THE DASH OF THE JEEP. ALL OF THE LIGHTS BESIDE OF THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP RED AND STAY ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THE LIGHT WILL TURN ON WHEN IT IS PARKED OR RANDOM TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER SHOWING UP ON DISPLAY MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAD IT REPLACED RIGHT AWAY THE FOLLOWING MONTH. CHRYSLER HELPED WITH MY REPAIRS.
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE SHIFTER APPEARED ON DASH. HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2020
ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE GEAR BOX TURN ON AND SAYS "SERVICE SHIFTER". HAPPENED ONCE A MONTH AND IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT.
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2020
MY 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT APPEARS ON MY DASH AND ALL OF THE GEAR LIGHT APPEAR SOLID RED ON MY SHIFTER, THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK OR WHEN I COME TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING, IT'S VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE ( OIL CONSUMPTION) AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES OF THE ERROR OCCURRING. THIS HAPPENS PERIODICALLY AND WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER'' LIGHT GOES AWAY. THERE NO WAY FOR THE DEALER TO FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY SAY THE CAN'T FIND ANY ERROR CODES WHEN I HAVE TIME STAMPED PICTURES ON MY PHONE OF THIS HAPPENING. I'M AFRAID THIS MIGHT LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR SHIFTER FAILURE WHILE IN TRAFFIC DRIVING.
Electrical system, Aug 7, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT AT 33,000 MILES. I HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" LIGHT ISSUE WITH MANY OTHER JEEPS, SO I WANTED TO ALSO REPORT. THAT IS TOO MUCH. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE MY JEEP IN FOR SERVICE RIGHT AWAY, AND THEN COVID HAPPENED, SO NOW I'M WAY PAST MY WARRANTY MILES SO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 7, 2020
VEHICLE STALLS AT START OF DAY AFTER DRIVING NO MORE THAN A HALF A MILE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS IN TRAFFIC. BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AFTER STALLS AND DOES NOT START. LETTING IT SIT FOR AWHILE IT EVENTUALLY STARTS. BATTERY WAS FULLY TESTED AND HOLDS CHARGE. DECIDED TO PARK VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER AS TO NOT RISK TRAFFIC CRASH.
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2020
THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE. THE ON BOARD SCREEN WILL SUDDENLY SHOW "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND ALL THE SHIFTER INDICATOR LIGHTS GO RED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO AT INITIAL STARTS. WHEN VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED, EVERYTHING RETURNS TO NORMAL. DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT SAYS OVERHEATING PROBLEMS CAN ENSUE.
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND BLOCKS OUT ALL OTHER DIGITAL READ OUT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS PARKED TURNED OFF AND BACK OF. ISSUE CONTINUES TO REOCCUR
Electrical system, Jul 9, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON, ALL LIGHT ON SHIFTER LIGHT UP.
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2020
WHEN SHIFTING TO PARK, INTERMITTENTLY WONT STAY INDICATING P AND REST OF SHIFT POSITIONS ILLUMINATE WITH "SERVICE SHIFTER" DISPLAYING ON STATUS SCREEN. TO FIX IT, PUSH SHIFTER UP HARDER TO PARK POSITION ENSURING P ILLUMINATES, TURN VEHICLE OFF THEN START AND VERIFY NO SERVICE MESSAGE. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING BUT USUALLY AFTER BEING PARKED AND RESTARTED. SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE PREVENTS SPEED SCREEN FROM DISPLAYING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE BATTERY POWER SENSOR WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V524000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jun 19, 2020
MY CAR LOST ALL POWER WHILE IN MOTION IN THE MIDDLE OF A CITY STREET INTERSECTION WITH A SHIFTER ERROR CODE. WOULD NOW ACCELERATE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AND DID IT INSTANTLY AGAIN. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 MONTHS AGO. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 15, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 13, 2020
THE MESSAGE SERVICE SHIFTER APPEARS, AND ALL OF THE GEARS ON THE GEAR SHIFT LIGHT UP. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC REASON THIS HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, SOMETIMES WHILE IN MOTION AND BRAKING, SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED. IT STARTED WHEN MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER THE 32,000 MILE WARRANTY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS SEEMS TO BE A POPULAR ISSUE AFTER I RESEARCHED IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 7, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT IS ON AT 39K MILES. IT WAS ON WHILE STATIONARY, IN PARK, AND WHILE IN MOTION, IN DRIVE.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 26, 2020
TURNED ON JUST FINE, PULLED OUT TO THE STREET FROM THE STORE GRADUALLY. SLOWED DOWN FOR THE RED LIGHT AND BEFORE I STOPPED ALL THE RED LIGHTS TURNED ON ON THE SHIFTER AND THEN ON MY SCREEN IT SAID SERVICE SHIFTER. I'VE ONLY OWN THIS CAR FOR A MONTH AND DOESN'T EVEN HAVE PLATES ON IT YET. 43000 MILES WHEN BOUGHT AND I'M NOT A HAPPY PERSON
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 18, 2020
THE SERVICE SHIFTER ERROR HAS REPEATEDLY COMING ON DESPITE THE SHIFTER HARNESS BEING REPLACED TWICE, THE HARNESS BEING REPLACED AND COMPUTER UPDATES. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER TURN RED. THE CAR RANDOMLY JUMPS TO 5000 RPMS AND WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WILL HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER JEEP ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE YEAR AND HAS RECENTLY BEEN IN THERE FOR A MONTH. *TR