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, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2020
I CONTINUE TO GET A SERVICE SHIFTER ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS 13,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ACROSS MULTIPLE YEARS OF CHEROKEES. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM BUT AFTER A NEW BATTERY, I STILL RECEIVE THE WARNING. WARNING CAME ON WHILE PARKED, JUST AFTER STARTUP.
Power train, Nov 25, 2020
TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING VERY HARD RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING
Power train, Nov 22, 2020
WHILE DRIVING SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING CAME ON AND ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER WERE LIT. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 37;600 MILES.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Nov 20, 2020
THE CAR RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS AT A LIGHT. IT HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. IT WAS IN MOTION ONCE AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP. BUT IT WAS A VERY SLOW MOTION. SECOND TIME I WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP
Power train, Engine, Nov 12, 2020
THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF IN IDLE , SOMETIMES IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP, OTHERS YOU HAVE TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES. TOOK IT TO DEALER A FEW TIMES AND THEY KEEP SAYING THAT IT IS BECAUSE WHEN THE OIL GETS LOW IT THIS MODEL THAT HAPPENS SO I HAVE TO GET THE OIL CHANGED ONCE A MONTH
Power train, Nov 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE NO LONGER BE DRIVEN UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED HERTRICH CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF ELKTON (1147 E PULASKI HWY, ELKTON, MD 21921) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Oct 23, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT AXLE FRACTURED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A PARK VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Power train, Oct 19, 2020
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING CAME UP ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN AND ALL THE SHIFTER INDICATOR LIGHTS P R N D ETC. LIGHT UP. HAD TO STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE.
Power train, Oct 16, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING ON DASH & ALL RED LIGHTS OF SHIFTER. CAR ONLY HAS 17, 500 MILES. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Power train, Sep 28, 2020
I OWN 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE WITH 56,000 MILES AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH AND ALL THE LIGHTS LIGHT UP ON THE GEAR SHIFTER. THIS HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING FOR AROUND 15 - 20 MILES AND ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF WITH THE ELECTRONIC PUSH BUTTON START THE LIGHTS GO AWAY FOR A SHORT TIME AND THEN COME BACK ON AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION.
Power train, Sep 22, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS NEEDING TO REPLACE THE BEZEL AND HARNESS ON THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IF LEFT UNREPAIRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EVENTUALLY BE UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HUNTINGTON JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM (5080 JERICHO TPKE, COMMACK, NY 11725 (631) 993-3300). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THE ISSUE BEFORE AND PROVIDED AND ESTIMATED COST TO DO THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.*LN*DT *TR
Power train, Sep 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT'S WIFE OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SHIFTER ILLUMINATED AND SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING MESSAGE ALSO APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HIS WIFE SLOWED DOWN TO 30 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO REACH HER DESTINATION WITHOUT FURTHER ISSUES. THE CONTACT CALLED BARKAU CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF FREEPORT (700 E SOUTH ST, FREEPORT, IL 61032) BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED ANDERSON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (5711 E. STATE ST, ROCKFORD, IL 61108) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Power train, Sep 15, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE GEAR SHIFTER BOX WAS ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WORKED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT CALLED #1 COCHRAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (110 RTE 908 BUILDING 2, NATRONA HEIGHTS, PA 15065, (412) 245-4280) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Power train, Engine, Sep 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THE WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. THE SHIFT TO PARK WARNING LIGHT WAS BLINKING. THE CONTACT ADDED OIL TO VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED KEVIN'S ROYAL AUTOMOTIVE (3961-3964 WAVERLY RD, OWEGO, NY 13827, (607) 687-3412) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED AND THAT THE SAFETY FEATURE WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE SAFETY FEATURE ENGAGED WHEN THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Sep 8, 2020
SERVICE SHIFT LI8GHT COMES ON AND THEN RANDOMLY GOES AWAY, IT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2017 JEEP CHEROKEE'S WITH THIS ISSUE
Power train, Aug 25, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE APPEARED WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE DRIVE, REVERSE, NEUTRAL AND OTHER DRIVE INDICATORS LIT UP IN RED.
Suspension, Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2020
I HAVE 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE WITH 85353 MILES IT HAD SERVICE SHIFTER TWICE WHEN I WAS DRIVING SO I HAD TO PULL OVER ON HIGHWAY AND TURN OFF ENGINE AND TURN ON ENGINE SHIFT TO PARK THEN TO DRIVE
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER DASH WARNING COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE PRND LIGHTS ON THE GEAR SELECTOR LIGHT UP. THE NOTIFICATION CLEARS AND THE LIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE NOTIFICATION WILL APPEAR AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE THREE TIMES AND WILL GO IN FOR ANOTHER SERVICE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 29. AS OF NOW, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE WARNING LIGHT STILL COMES ON.
Power train, Jul 18, 2020
MANY TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A GOOD SHARP BUMP IN THE ROAD OR I BUMP THE SHIFTER SHARPLY, THE DISPLAY IMMEDIATELY GIVES A SERVICE SHIFTER FAULT ALERT ON THE COMMUNICATION PANEL AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS P, R, N, F AND THE MANUAL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON THE SHIFTER. THE VEHICLE CAN BE MOVING OR AT REST AND THE IGNITION ON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I HAVE REPORTED THE INCIDENTS AT EACH OF THE OIL SERVICE CHECKUPS AT THE DEALER, HOWEVER WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE IT NEVER GETS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS EVEN MENTIONED OR THE MECHANIC THAT WORKS ON TRANSMISSIONS COULD NOT GET TO IT THAT DAY.
Power train, Jul 17, 2020
WHEN MY VEHICLE ACCELERATES THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING OR NOT FULLY ENGAGING. THE RPMS WILL SPIKE TO ABOUT 4,000 BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT, AND WHEN IT SHIFTS THE WHOLE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER LIKE IT'S BEEN HIT BY A SLEDGEHAMMER WIELDED BY THOR HIMSELF. TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I HAVE TO SLOWLY ACCELERATE AND KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER 3,000 RPMS. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON A HIGHWAY OR ROADWAY THAT IS 55MPH OR HIGHER.
Power train, Jun 29, 2020
THE SERVICE SHIFTER NOTIFICATION CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD SCREEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, UNABLE TO BE CLEARED, AND ALL RED LIGHTS ON SHIFTER WERE LIT UP. (PRND) AFTER STOPPING, TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTING CLEARED THE MESSAGE, HOWEVER, VEHICLE ALSO CONTINUES TO JERK IN BETWEEN GEARS.
Power train, Jun 24, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 18001 - VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND JUST STARTED SO I CAN DRIVE IT - HAD BEEN SITTING FOR OVER A DAY SO ENGINE WAS COLD. DISPLAY IN CENTER OF PANEL READ "SERVICE SHIFTER". THE NEXT DAY THE MESSAGE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WERE GONE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP SINCE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW WIRING HARNESS AND NEW SHIFTER. BEEN ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP AND INTERNET RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WANTED TO ADD MY JEEP TO THE LIST TO ASSIST IN GETTING THIS ITEM RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
Power train, Jun 22, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON AND REMAINS ON WITH ALL SHIFTER LIGHTS ON AT THE SAME TIME. MENU FOR CAR IS NO ACCESSIBLE DASH PANEL IS LOCKED. PERIODICALLY AND RANDOMLY COMES ON AND GOES OFF WHEN DRIVING OR STATIONARY. CALLED DEALER AND THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF IT. *TR
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
Power train, Jun 7, 2020
THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER' COMES ON AND ALL OF THE GEARS LIGHT UP. THE CAR HAS A SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE BUT NO INDICATION OF THE CAR RUNNING HOT. THE WARNING GOES AWAY AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION