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, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2019
DURING THE COURSE OF TRAVELING ON JUNE 18TH 2019 I RECEIVED A MESSAGE VIA THE DISPLAY THAT SAID "SERVICE SHIFTER". IN ADDITION THE GEAR SHIFT PANEL (PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE) COLLECTIVELY ILLUMINATED IN RED. THE ISSUE GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE TRANSMISSION OR GEARS COULD CEASE FROM WORKING WHILE IN MOTION.
Power train, Jun 10, 2019
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. SCREEN DISPLAYS SERVICE SHIFTER. ALL LIGHTS ON THE PRNDL NEXT TO THE SHIFRER ARE LIT SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Power train, May 21, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
Power train, May 11, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING APPEARS IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AREA AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON SHIFTER LIGHT UP SOLID RED AND STAY ILLUMANATED.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 16, 2019
MY JEEP CHEROKEE HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP, KEFFER CHRYSLER JEEP IN CHARLOTTE, NC, HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF MY CALLS ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO I'VE HAD TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. I HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE LAST TIME IT SHUT DOWN I WAS ON A MAIN HIGHWAY AND WAS ALMOST HIT. *DT*JB CONSUMER STATED CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGN, WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS.*JB
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 15, 2019
WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN I95 - THE GEARSHIFT FROZE UP AND THE ENTIRE GEARSHAFT TURNED RED. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN / COME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF AN EXIT ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF TWO TIMES ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS - ONCE THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY FIXED THE ISSUE.
Power train, Mar 19, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING CAME ON WHEN PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 12K MILES
Power train, Engine, Mar 4, 2019
VECHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND VECHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED AND SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. VECHICLE THEN RESTARTED AND DID THE SAME THING A SECOND TIME.
Power train, Feb 24, 2019
A WARNING LIGHT "SERVICE SHIFTER" COMES ON WITHOUT WARNING. ALL THE LIGHTS AT THE SHIFTER ILLUMINATE AND WON'T SHUT OFF UNLESS THE CAR IS RE-STARTED
Power train, Feb 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE "VEHICLE NOT IN PARK" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP CITY (4395 US-130, BURLINGTON, NJ 08016, (855) 242-0015) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,000. *DT*JB
Power train, Feb 6, 2019
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE STUCK IN GEAR AND WON'T SHIFT. ALL DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHTS LIGHT UP AND OR FLASH I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW FOR THIS ISSUE AND STILL NOT FIXED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 10, 2018
THE CAR HAS START UP PROBLEMS, THE CAR STALL AND JERKS WHEN BREAKING. THE BATTERY ON CHARGES TO 45% ( THIS IS A NEW CAR). THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING PURFUSLY LIKA AN 1980S CAR. ALL LIGHT FLICKER IN THE CAR AMD NOW THE CAR IS UNDRIVABME WITH NO HELP FROM DEALSHIP OR FINANCE. ITS LIKE I'M ON ME OWN STUCK WITH A LEMON.
Power train, Engine, Dec 5, 2018
REGARDING RECALL 18V-524 FOR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, FCA REPORTS THAT THE REPAIR PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND THERE IS NO ETA
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING SYMBOL ON THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM ILLUMINATED. COURTESY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (607 ENTERPRISE PARKWAY, BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA 70517, (337) 240-9947) DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2018
WHILE DRIVING MY DASH WILL SUDDENLY STATE "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND ALL MY GEAR SHIFTER LIGHTS WILL BE LIT UP. THE ONLY WAY I GET THEM OFF IS I HAVE TO PULL OVER, STOP, TURN VEHICLE OFF, AND RESTART IT. THIS HAS HAPPEN IN TOWN AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW SEVERAL TIMES OVER APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS NOW. THE FIRST TIME BEING WHEN I GOT MY FIRST OIL CHANGE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 26, 2018
FIRST STARTED WITH JERKING AS YOU'RE DRIVING AT ONE TIME WE WERE AT A STOPLIGHT AS AND IT THE CAR JUST WANTED TO TAKE OFF BY ITSELF AND WE ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT THE CAR IS ALWAYS LOW ON OIL I MEAN WE BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 3 MILES WITHIN WEEKS IT WOULD ACTUALLY HAD NO OIL MY HUSBAND THOUGHT OUT MAYBE THE MANUFACTURER JUST DIDN'T FILL IT UP ALL THE WAY BY MISTAKE DIDN'T CHECK IT OUT SO HE WENT AND PURCHASED WILL PUT OIL IN IT TWO WEEKS LATER TOOK IT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WE ALREADY A QUART LOW CAR WASTE IS GAS LIKE CRAZY WE ARE CONSTANTLY FILLING UP EVERY 2 DAYS AND THEN CAR DOESN'T REALLY GO ANYWHERE BUT FROM WHAT 15 MILES A DAY ON OUR WAY TO KANSAS SO WE WERE COMING TO A CURVE AND MY HUSBAND TRY TO HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR DID NOT BREAK IT ACTUALLY ACCELERATED AND HE HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AS HE WAS DRIVING JUST TO SLOW IT DOWN TO AVOID GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT I MEAN WE'VE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR SINCE DAY ONE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER AND WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES THEN I HEAR RECALL ABOUT A HOSE FOR THE GAS LINE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE IT IN FOR SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THESE CARS
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 23, 2018
I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE NEW ON MARCH 30. ON SUNDAY, APRIL 1 THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY WENT INTO PARK ASSIST MODE WITHOUT THE BUTTON BEING PUSHED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK TO DRIVE. WE HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET THE CAR TO GO IN DRIVE AGAIN. LUCKILY WE WERE IN AN OUTSIDE LANE AND COULD PULL OVER TO THE EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT IS SCARY TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD WE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. *TT *TR
Power train, Mar 16, 2018
ENTERING I 264 VA, PRESSED ACCELERATOR RESULTING IN A LURCHING MOTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE CAUSING OTHER VEHICLES TO SWERVE TO AVOID REAR ENDING OUR 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE. IT REPEATED THIS ACTION MANY TIMES AS WE LIMPED HOME UNDER 40 MPH. WE WERE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE DEALER (SOUTHERN CHRYSLER JEEP AT GREENBRIER). THE DEALER AUTHORIZED TOWING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CALLED US AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC AUTHORIZED ORDERING A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT COME OUT OF GEAR.
Power train, Mar 15, 2018
TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY DOES NOT WANT TO GO IN THE RIGHT GEAR. THE VEHICLE THEN FEELS LIKE IT IS ALMOST STOPPING AND JERKING HARD WHILE THE VEHICLE THEN FINDS THE CORRECT GEAR AND STARTS WORKING PROPERLY AGAIN A WEIRD NOISE ALSO SEEMS TO RANDOMLY COME FOR THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A TRIGGER OR WHAT MAKES THE TRANSMISSION DO THIS, IT SEEMS COMPLETELY RANDOM. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND BOTH SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY TOOK IT ON A TEST DRIVE SAID THEY HEARD THE NOISE AND KEPT MY VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, THE NEXT DAY HE CALLED AND SAID NOTHING IS WRONG DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. AS WE WERE LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR CAME UP AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE SO THEY ARE ALL ADVISED TO STATE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THAT PEOPLE DO NOT START RETURNING THEIR CARS. HE ALSO STATED TO FILE A COMPLIANT SO THAT CHRYSLER WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS
Power train, Nov 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AND EMERGENCY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP, 7911 ROOSEVELT RD, FOREST PARK, IL 60130) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PMC MODULE NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 535. *BF UPDATED 8/21/18*JB