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: power train
295 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Dec 26, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASH AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE FLOOR SHIFTER ILLUMINATE ALL GEAR POSITIONS. ALSO, AT LOW SPEED, WHEN ADDING POWER, THE TRANSMISSION HAS A "BUMP" AS IT TRIES TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. MAKES IT JERK/CLUNK INTO GEAR.
Power train, Dec 22, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER APPEARS ON SCREEN, ALL SELECTIONS ON SHIFTER LIGHT UP RED. 40,000 MILES. HUNDREDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE FORUMS. VEHICLE STATIONARY. JUST STARTED UP. TURN OFF AND RESTART- IT GOES AWAY
Power train, Dec 10, 2019
THREE TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF FOUR DAYS WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT (PARK, NEUTRAL, REVERSE, AND DRIVING) LIT UP AND A MESSAGE CAME ON THE DASHBOARD THAT READ "SERVICE SHIFTER". EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, TWICE WHILE ON CITY STREETS AND ONCE WHILE ENTRY A HIGHWAY. ALL THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING LEFT.
Power train, Dec 3, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING MY CAR ON AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL COME ON AND IT WILL READ A MESSAGE ON THE DASH "SERVICE GEAR SHIFTER". I WILL HAVE TO COME TO A STOP, PUT IT IN PARK, AND SHUT IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON BEFORE THE MESSAGE WILL GO AWAY AND THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 28, 2019
WARNING APPEARS ABOUT THE SHIFTER AND ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON. I READ A FORUM WHERE DOZENS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND HAVING TO REPLACE THEIR HARNESS AND WIRING KIT. I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MODELS CRUISE CONTROL BUT WHEN I SEARCH ON HERE NOTHING COMES UP.
Power train, Nov 26, 2019
NORMAL DRIVING EITHER LONG OR SHORT TRIP, WARNING APPEARS ON DASH "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND ALL THE LED'S LIGHT UP ON SHIFTER. HAPPENS WHEN SLOWING DOWN (ACTUALLY BOTH TIMES I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY).
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 16, 2019
ELECTRICAL WARNING SYSTEM CAN NOT BE REMEDIED. EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND SETTING WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY WENT DEAD ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL, WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED AND NURSED OFF OF THE FREEWAY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY WENT DEAD, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP PREVENTING THE TOW COMPANY FROM LOADING THE CAR ONTO THE TOW TRUCK, THE CAR WAS MANUALLY MANIPULATED TO RELEASE THE SYSTEM INTO NEUTRAL. THE CARS ELECTRONIC DASH BOARD COMPLETELY GOES DEAD WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN 3 DEALERSHIPS OVER MORE THAN 1 MONTH, THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THEY HAVE REPLACED COMPUTER COMPONENTS, CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, OR 'JIGGLE THE WIRES'. THE CARS WARRANTY IS NEARLY UP, AND WE HAVE BEEN PRESSURED TO BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS PROVIDED US WITH A RENTAL CAR, AND CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, THAT IS WHEN THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR IS A COMPLETE HAZARD. MY HUSBAND HAS THE REPAIR RECORDS ON FILE.
Power train, Oct 29, 2019
THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT TO MAKE IT GO OUT, THEN IT COMES BACK ON.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 19, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT ALWAYS ON IN MOTION AND IN PARK. BURNS 1 QT OF OIL EVERY 2000 MILES VEHICLES JERKS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE IN MOTION
Power train, Oct 14, 2019
AFTER LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD GETTING A SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE ON START UP. IT WOULD GO AWAY WHEN I TURNED ENGINE OFF AND ON BUT NOTE WON'T DO AWAY. CARE LESS THAN A YEAR OLD BUT JUST OUT OF WENT DUE TO MILAGE.
Power train, Oct 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR SELECTORS ILLUMINATED RED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GOSSETT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (1901 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128, (901) 388-8989) WHERE THE BEZEL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Seat belts, Engine, Oct 9, 2019
STARTING AT 25K MILES, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BURN THROUGH OIL EVEN BEFORE THE NEXT OIL CHANGE. THE MANUAL STATES TO GO OFF THE OIL SYSTEM LIGHT, DEALERS SAY DIFFERENT. OIL HAD 14% LEFT, BUT THE CAR KEPT SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WENT TO DEALER, CAR BURNED THROUGH ALL THE OIL. THEY REFUSED TO CHECK FOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND FORCE ME TO PAY FOR A FULL OIL CHANGE. STATED BY THE DEALER, ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH JEEP AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT. NOW AT 33K, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE. COIL PACK NEEDS REPLACED. THIS IS A TSB THAT WAS POSTED AT DEALERS BUT NOT GIVEN TO CONSUMERS. ALSO AIRBAG CONNECTION UNDER DRIVER SEAT COMES LOOSE AND CAUSES WARNING LIGHTS TO SERVICE AIRBAG. 10K MILES. DEALER SAID TO PLUG BACK IN AND JUST KEEP DEALING WITH IT.
Power train, Engine, Sep 18, 2019
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE CITY STREET AND SUDDENLY A MEAASGE APPEARED ON MY SCREEN 'SERVICE SHIFTER' AND THE JEEP BEGAN TO JERK. THE LIGHTS ON EACH GEAR TURNED RED. WHEN I GOT TO A PLACE TO PARK. I CUT THE JEEP OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON. I THEN RECEIVED A MESSAGE WHEN I PUT THE JEEP IN DRIVE TO VERIFY IF IT WOULD DRIVE AND I RECEIVED ANOTHER MESSAGE STATING 'SHIFT TO PARK'. THE JEEP BEGAN TO JERK AGAIN. I'VE HAD THIS JEEP FOR ONE YEAR EXACTLY BOUGHT IT WITH ONLY ABOUT 3,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN 3 MONTHS IT COMPLETELY STOPPED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE AT ALL. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEARLERSHIP WHERE IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE AND OIL THAT HAD TO BE FIXED AND TOOK ALMOST 2 WEEKS. THIS JEEP HAS ALL TYPE OF PROBLEMS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 16, 2019
DRIVING DOWN A CITY HIGHWAY THE SERVICE SHIFTER ALERT CAME ON. ALL OF THE LIGHTS NEXT TO THE INDICATORS ON THE SHIFTER LIT UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR TODAY. THE PARKING BRAKE HAS ALSO BEEN TURNING ITSELF ON AS SOON AS THE JEEP IS PUT IN GEAR AND THE FOOT IS LET OFF OF THE BRAKE.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 12, 2019
2018 JEEP 22000 MILES, HAS CONTINUED AND WORSENING SHIFTIER OR TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH RED LIGHTS, NEEDS SERVICE AND LOCKS OUT TRANSMISSION CHANGES TO REGULATE SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN AT THE TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WITH AN ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE. I AM A RETIRED NICB SPECIAL AGENT AND HAVE WORKED AUTO THEFT.
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 22, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHTS AND WARNING COME ON RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING. WHEN THE ERROR MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED, THERE IS NO WAY TO GET RID OF IT EXCEPT TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND ON. THE ERROR MESSAGE TAKES UP THE ENTIRE IN DASH SCREEN AND DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER TO BE SHOWN. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A PATTERN AS TO WHEN THIS OCCURS, HAS HAPPENED WHEN STARTING UP AND JUST RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING (NOT SPECIFICALLY LINKED WITH A SPEED, DIRECTION, OR TURN).
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 21, 2019
THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE "MESSAGE SCREEN" & YOU CANNOT CLEAR IT SO THE MPH & OTHER NEEDED DRIVING DATA IS UNAVAILABLE. ALSO ALL OF THE SHIFTER LIGHTS BECOME ILLUMINATED SO YOU CANNOT SEE WHAT GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN. "CARGURUS.COM" HAS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE. CAR IS IN MOTION & STATIONARY;.THE SHIFTER SERVICE MESSAGE APPEARS. IT 1ST OCCURRED YESTERDAY; 8/19/2019 TO ME. THIS IS A SAFET ISSUE BECAUSE MY MPH ETC IS UNAVAILABLE & I CANNOT VERIFY GEAR I AM IN. (DRIVE/REVERSE ETC)
Power train, Aug 17, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL GEARS LIT UP RED, PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON. ALARM WENT AWAY, THIRD TIME.
Power train, Aug 14, 2019
AT 19500MILES SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE CAME ON AND RED LIGHTS APPEARED BY PARK, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, REVERSE ETC ON CAR SHIFTER, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. STOPPED TURNED IT OFF AND LIGHT WENT OUT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND LOW MILEAGE.
Power train, Aug 3, 2019
2018 CHEROKEE WITH UNDER 15K MILES. UPON START UP, WARNING FOR "SERVICE SHIFTER" APPEARS ALONG WITH ALL LIGHTS ARE LIT UP ON SHIFTER. TURNING OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTING WILL MAKE MESSAGE DISAPPEAR. MECHANICS NOT SURE WHAT TRUE ISSUE IS. ON GOING ISSUE WITH NO RESOLUTION. TODAY, MESSAGE WOULD NOT RESET. NO RECALL TO DATE.
Power train, Jul 31, 2019
FOR THE SECOND TIME WHILE DRIVING "SERVICE SHIFTER" MESSAGE CAME ON AND ALL LIGHTS ON GEAR BOX LIT UP. PULLED OVER AND CUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND LIGHTS WENT OFF
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 29, 2019
"SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING COMES ON AT RANDOM TIMES. LIGHTS ON SHIFTER ALL CAME ON. ONLY CAME ON WITH LEFT HAND TURNS. FIRST TIME IN HAPPENED I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE ON RAMP. HAS HAPPENED AT 5 MPH AND 70 MPH. PULL OVER PUT IN PARK, SHUT OFF ENGINE, WAIT A MINUTE, RESTART VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING IS FINE FOR A WHILE. IT CAN BE DAYS BETWEEN OR 3 TIMES IN A 5 MINUTE DRIVE. UP TO 9 TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED.
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 26, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING KEEPS COMING ON AND ALL PARK NUTURAL REV ALL LIGHT UP AT THE SAME TIME.TRANSMISSION BUCKS FEELS LIKE BEING REAR ENDED.BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES GOING TO KEEP GOING BACK WHILE IM STILL UNDER WARRANTY.HAPPENS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING MOSTLY ON THE FREEWAY WHERE YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TURN OFF AND TRY TO LET IT RESET.A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Power train, Jul 18, 2019
'SERVICE SHIFTER' WARNING APPEARS WITHOUT WARNING AND ALL GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN RED. IN MOTION. 65 MPH US 18 OR 218 WATERLOO IOWA. I'M TOLD A SHIFTER BEZEL AND WIRING HARNESS ARE NEEDED BUT NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Jul 14, 2019
HAVE NOT OWNED VEHICLE FOR A YEAR YET, BOUGHT WITH ABOUT 1000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY SOMEBODY IN DEALERSHIP FROM WHAT WE WERE TOLD. AT 11,677 MILES THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING SHOWED UP AND SHIFTER PANEL LIT UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND STAYED THAT WAY UNTIL I TURNED THE JEEP OFF A FEW MILES LATER. HASN'T SHOWN UP AGAIN AND I'M TAKING IT TO DEALER TOMORROW. IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS SINCE IT HAPPENED BUT I'M AFRAID WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE OVER THE YEARS FOR JEEP. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR - THEY NEED TO FIX THIS!!! I'M GETTING THIS DOCUMENTED NOW!