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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 686

Of the 2018 reports, 11 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train295 reports · 43% of complaints
Owner complaints686Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train295
  2. Electrical system190
  3. Other or unspecified173
  4. Engine155
  5. Service brakes36
  6. Steering30
  7. Fuel/propulsion system26
  8. Vehicle speed control20

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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: engine

159 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Engine, Apr 18, 2022

    When the car detects low oil it shuts off. The engine sputters and the car will shut off- even when driving- causing a safety issue. There is NO LOW OIL indicator light. I had pulled from my street into a busy highway and the engine sputtered and turned itself off. I could not restart it. Happened today and also happened in December 2021.

  2. Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 16, 2022

    Vehicle has stalled on multiple occasions. Safety hazards include stalling in middle of intersection and being stranded. Call out for service at this time, therefore problem has not been reproduced or confirmed. Not inspected yet. No police involvement. No warning light-including battery or engine light- upon initial start of vehicle. Battery and engine warning lights visible at time of stall. Battery was turning over but engine not engaging, however, able to restart vehicle after multiple attempts. No jump start required. Warning light disappeared after restart of vehicle and only reappeared upon subsequent stalls. No apparent issues- other than stalling- while vehicle is driven. Problem has been very inconsistent.

  3. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 27, 2022

    While driving, vehicle shuts off without warning, this has happened 3 times even though the car was supposedly repaired with a new battery and a new alternator.

  4. Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 23, 2022

    My car will randomly shut off going 60mph. I will start it back up and it will make a pop sounds and give a little gas to go and it acts like I I’m giving it more gas than I am. I have almost been hit on freeways because of this. This is the 2nd time in 2 years. I took to a dealership and was told they had to rest my motor but gave me no paper work on that

  5. Engine, Feb 4, 2022, fire

    The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, she started to smell a burning odor. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact's father inspected the vehicle and noticed that the oil level was low; he also noticed that there was an oil leak but could not determine the location of the oil. The local dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V670000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

  6. Engine, Dec 14, 2021

    This vehicle is a 2018 jeep with 37700 miles on it. When driving the recently it would stall in traffic. Then it was difficult to restart for a few minutes then it would start again. But yesterday it stalled in city traffic and wouldnt restart. No error message on the dashboard. So i had to have it towed to the dealer. The dealers early assessment is that their significant oil loss in the engine. The engine appears to be damaged now. From the recent oil leak. Dealer stated its not from owner neglect or abuse of the vehicle. The engine shouldnt fail for a 3 year old car with 37,000 miles on it and no neglect. Its a manufacturers issue. This vehicle is my daughters college transportation. Thank God she wasnt rear ended when the car stalled and wouldnt restart.

  7. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 3, 2021

    Engine stall, shuts down while driving

  8. Steering, Power train, Engine, Nov 26, 2021

    Coming to a stop at a stop sign and the dash made a ding followed by the engine light coming on, the shifter went into park on its own, the display stated “Shift to park and then select desired gear”, lights flashed on the shifter console. Unable to drive I had to restart more than once. Car barely restarted before I was able to shift again and continue home.

  9. Engine, Oct 6, 2021

    In two instances, I have been driving my car and the car dies. Both times there was no oil. I take my car for regular servicing and oil changes and have also taken it to the dealership as I felt it was burning oil too rapidly. They determined there was no issue but I am having to put 3+ quarts every 3000-5000 miles even with oil changes. But when the oil is low there is no indication and the car will die WHILE DRIVING.

  10. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 28, 2021

    When driving, car completely turns off with no warning. No icons are lit to possibly tell of issue. Car has done this numerous times

  11. Engine, Sep 10, 2021

    When turning and/or accelerating from a stop engine stalling and won’t turn on until after a few tries. Also, oil light for a split second and battery light once stalled. Have had numerous fresh oil changes and once about 50% life on oil give or take the car starts to have these problems.

  12. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 4, 2021

    Had a recall fixed recently. Now showing three Errors. P2122, P0123, P0222

  13. Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 29, 2021

    Made a right turn onto a street and heard a single ding(the same ding it makes if seatbelt is off) then the car turned off, the red battery light briefly came on and then turned off. I rolled out of traffics way onto the shoulder and placed my car in park and tried to restart it. Car would not restart initially. After 3 tries the vehicle restarted and I was able to make it back onto the road. - the engine shut off and the power steering went out. these are available for inspection upon request. -The vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic so not only my safety but the safety of other drivers was at risk as my vehicle was turning a corner and not able to accelerate as other drivers came up behind me causing them to swerve. -the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center however my wife and I have experience the same issue at two different times. -The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership where the vehicle was purchased brand new and they were not able to provide an answer to the problem. -There were no warning lamps or other symptoms prior to the failure.

  14. Engine, Jul 10, 2021

    Car turn off on its own error code P2172 U1428 maybe throttle body. Other Jeep have a recall on this but my vin isn’t included.

  15. Engine, Jul 3, 2021

    Car stalled entering onto highway. Alternator went out.

  16. Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 22, 2021

    AT RANDOM TIMES THE MESSAGE "SERVICE SHIFTER" APPEARS, AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER TURN RED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIME AND HAS HAPPENED WHEN IN DRIVE(ON HIGHWAY AND STREETS) AND WHEN IN PARK. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARS. FROM ALL THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE IT APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING TO A LOT OF JEEP (2014-2019) OWNERS. SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS!!!

  17. Power train, Engine, Apr 12, 2021

    VEHICLE IS STALLING DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION.....NO OIL INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. BUT VEHICLE EVEN WHEN OIL INDICATOR GAGE SAYS THERE IS OIL....THE OIL IS LOW AND CAUSES STALLING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. STALLS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY IN TRAFFIC. BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AND TO CHANGE OIL EVERY 3000. THUIS DOES NOT FIX THE UNDERLYING ISSUE. READING ONLINE THERE SEEMS TO BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AND DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT HELPFUL WITH THIS ISSUE. NERVOUS TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCE ESPECIALLY WHEN NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE TO LET YOU KNOW YOU ARE LOW ON OIL.

  18. Engine, Mar 30, 2021

    OIL CONSUMPTION ON VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES. 3 TO 4 QUARTS LOW AT EVERY 5000 MILE OIL CHANGE. CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET. NO WARNING LIGHT TO INFORM YOU OF LOW OIL.

  19. Steering, Power train, Engine, Mar 19, 2021

    ON MARCH 14TH WHILE SLOWING AND TURNING RIGHT ON A STATE MAINTAINED COUNTRY ROAD, THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED AND POWER STEERING WAS OUT WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT ON.. VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS AFTER PUTTING IT BACK INTO PARK. ON MARCH 16TH WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE STALLED AT A STOP LIGHT IN THE SAME MANNER DESCRIBED ABOVE ON US HWY 421. IT TOOK 4 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT RECREATE THE STALL AND WILL BE SENDING US ON OUR WAY WITH THIS VEHICLE UNREPAIRED. MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND WILL POSSIBLE CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS.

  20. Engine, Mar 1, 2021

    I HAVE OIL LEAKING FROM BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND CYLINDER HEAD WHICH HAS LEAKED ENOUGH TO COAT THE ENGINE BLOCK AND IS ALSO LOSING COOLANT. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A SEEPAGE SAYS IS NORMAL AND SAYS CHRYSLER WON'T FIX IT. SO ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER YOUR 2.4 ENGINE IS SUPPOSED TO LEAK AND BURN OIL. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD.

  21. Engine, Feb 11, 2021

    CAR TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. NO MAINTENANCE INDICATION ON DASH. I CHECK THE OIL AND THERE IS NO OIL EVEN AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN WITH THE SAME DEALERSHIP CAR SERVICE. THIS HAS OCURRED 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. CAR SERVICE TEAM HAS CHANGED MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY TO EVERY 1300 MILES TO MONITOR OIL CONSUMPTION BUT HAVE NOT DETERMINED ROOT CAUSE. AGAIN, THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING (ALL 5 TIMES) ON CITY STREETS.

  22. Electrical system, Engine, Lane departure, Feb 10, 2021

    MY SENSORS ONLY WORK SOMETIMES, MY KEY FOB ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS. IT'S STARTING TO HAVE ISSUES. MY JEEP STOPPED WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN

  23. Engine, Jan 21, 2021

    SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW, IT HAS STALLED WHEN TURNING (USUALLY LEFT) WHEN THE OIL LEVEL GETS LOW. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PUT OIL IN IT FREQUENTLY AND THAT THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF IS A SAFETY MECHANISM. THE PROBLEM IS, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE OIL LEVEL IS LOW. SO UNLESS I KEEP TRACK OF HOW MANY MILES I HAVE DRIVEN, THE JEEP WILL JUST QUIT ON ME. I HAVE DEALT WITH THE ISSUE UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I CAME WITHIN INCHES OF GETTING SLAMMED ON MY PASSENGER DOOR BECAUSE I STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IF A LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON, I WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE MORE OIL PUT IN, BUT I GET NO WARNING AT ALL. IT JUST QUITS. USUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE ENCLOSED PICTURES ARE OF WHEN I HAD TO PUT OIL IN IT IN NOVEMBER. THE LAST EPISODE OF ALMOST GETTING HIT HAPPENED ON JAN 16.

  24. Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2021

    ON 12/15/20 I DROVE LESS THAN 1 MI. DOWNHILL, STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN & THE ENGINE QUIT & BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE RESTARTED ABOUT 5 MIN. I WAS LOW ON GAS, SO GAS WAS ADDED & I FILLED TANK. THE ENGINE QUIT THE NEXT DAY AT THE SAME SPOT. IT RESTARTED AFTER A FEW TRIES. THE BATTERY INDICATOR SHOWED IT HAD A CHARGE & OIL WAS GOOD. REPEAT STALLING AT SAME SPOT ON 12/24/20 AND ON 1/2/2021. VERY CONCERNING AS I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND COULD EASILY BE HIT. I HAD 27,000 & CURRENTLY HAVE 35693 MILES. THIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BEFORE I GOT IT AND IS TOO NEW TO BE HAVING PROBLEMS.

  25. Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 2, 2021

    AFTER OWNING MY BRAND NEW 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE FOR A FEW MONTHS, I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING CAME ON IN MY DASH AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY SHIFTER LIT UP. I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN, SO I TOOK IT AND WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THE MESSAGE NO LONGER APPEARED. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND IT SAID IT CAME BACK FINE. UPON GETTING MY CAR BACK, IT WAS RANDOMLY SHOWING THE SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE AGAIN SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND SO NOTHING WAS FIXED. I HAVE NOW OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE STILL APPEARING ISSUE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS BUT I FEAR THAT WHATEVER IS CAUSING THE WARNING TO APPEAR MAY CAUSE ISSUES. I HAVE READ THAT MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. ALL THREE TIMES I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING.