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
686 reports, newest first.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 4, 2021
Had a recall fixed recently. Now showing three Errors. P2122, P0123, P0222
Power train, Aug 27, 2021
Service shifter and all lights on gear shifter light up
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2021
Vehicle was purchased brand new 04/06/2018. Within the first month (after putting on 500 miles), the battery had to be replaced. On 06/17/2021, the alternator, battery and sensor had to be replaced at a total cost of $1234. Now, the "SERVICE SHIFTER" light is appearing on my console and it cost me $160 just to run diagnostics at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and I am told that the gear shift module and wiring harness will have to be replaced at a cost of an additional $460. The vehicle has not yet reached 35,000 miles. After doing an on-line search, it seems this is a very common problem with the JEEP Cherokee models from 2014 - 2018.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2021
All lights on shifter console light up red and light which says "Service Shifter" shows up on dash. Reviews of this problem online is showing it to be a common problem.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2021
The "Service Shifter" message appeared in the display on 27 July 2021. I contacted the dealership to schedule an appointment. My appointment was 2 August 2021. My factory warranty expired in July 2021. The service advisor stated that the repairs would not be covered under the factory warranty if it was still active. The wire harness and the bevel had to be replaced. I contacted Chrysler via email to inquire as to why this repair is not covered by the manufacturer. They replied "Thank you for contacting Jeep Customer Care. I am sorry to learn that you had concerns with your Shifter and I do understand your frustration. Unfortunately, this is not an Open Recall on your vehicle at this time. If it does become an Open Recall in the future, you are able to submit for reimbursement review. At this time due to the Warranty expiring, and it not being an Open Recall we are unable to assist you with the costs. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further assistance by calling us at 877-426-5337." There has been numerous complaints about this issue and the manufacturer has done nothing to resolve this problem. Like most Jeep owners with the same issue, we have to pay for the repairs which is about $600.00. This is a safety issue that should not be ignored. The vehicle could shift into park while driving which, according the other Jeep owners, has happened or the engine will shut off. I think the manufacturer should notify all Jeep owners of this problem and issue a Recall or Technical Bulletin to address this issue.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 4, 2021
While engaged in cruise control at 63mph, going up a hill, upon desending hill car unexpectedly starts to down shift and accelerate to 70+ before I disengage cruise control through brake pedal usage. This has happened repeatedly while desending hills in a mountain terrian area, Does not repeat while driving on flat roads.
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.
Air bags, Jul 25, 2021
Car consistently has airbag lights going on and off with no clear reason. The dealer “fixed” it and said that there was a loose connection and the cleaned it and fixed it. Cost me $200 and within a week it was back to intermittently turning on and off
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jul 16, 2021
Service shifter light on and air bag light on
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.
Engine, Jul 3, 2021
Car stalled entering onto highway. Alternator went out.
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 9, 2021
I was getting a service shifter light and called the dealer and the said it was a recall it needed a system reboot to bring it in. I did. But that did not fix the problem the light is still on and after doing research it really is the wiring for the shifter. Which can cause the vehicle to not signal what gear it is in. My car had failed to to indicate which gear it has been in multiply times.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2021
Vehicle has approximately 40,000 miles and the "service shifter" light has come on about 6 times. Each time, if the vehicle is turned off & restarted, the light doesn't come back on for a few weeks. It has never come on while driving. This condition has not been replicated by a dealer or mechanic. The vehicle seems to drive fine.
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2021
Everytime we drive our vehicle for longer than 10 minutes a warning indicator light comes on which says "service shifter". All the lights on the shifter come on and you can no longer tell when you are in drive, park, etc. When you turn the vehicle off the system resets, but it will come back on again. The dealership inspected it and found no fix for the issue. To me, this seems highly irresponsible and reckless to allow something like this to occur in a vehicle. Numerous people with Jeep Cherokees have experienced the same thing and I believe there needs to be a recal related to the shifting/electrical system.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, May 15, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET COMING TO A STOP SIGN. I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO PULL OUT, THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, PUTTERED AND THE ACCELERATED MORE THAN I GAVE IT GAS TO. THEN I GO TO THE GAS STATION & PULLIN INTO THE PARKING LOT, THE PARKING LOT HAS SOMEWHAT OF A STEEP INCLINE, WHEN I GO TO PULL IN, THE CAR PUTTERED AND THE DIES . AND THATS WHEN THE SERVICE SHIFTER CAME ON . I FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS OF THE SERVICE SHIFTER BUT THAT DIDNT WORK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON, IT STARTED UP FINE AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER TURNED OFF.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 13, 2021
"SERVICE SHIFTER" WARNING COMES UP ON THE DASH AT DIFFERENT TIMES. IT MAY BE AT START UP OR WHILE DRIVING. IT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM. YOU HAVE A MINIMUM OF 400 COMJLAINTS ALREADY. JUST BOUGHT THIS 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE ON 5/8/2021 AND WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS ALREADY. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, OR IS IT THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FIX IS? MANY OF THE OWNERS OF THESE CAR ARE STUCK IN A CIRCLE JERK...DEALER SAYS IT DOESNT EXSIST AND YET IT KEEPS HAPPENING. PLEASE INVESTAGATE THIS PROBLEM AND FORCE THE MANUFACTURE TO FIND THE FIX. I KNOW MY DEALER KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT ELECTS NOT TO ADMIT IT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT DOES NOT THROW A CODE SO NOTHING SHOWS UP. I CHECKED MINE TWICE WITH MY OBD READER AND I EVEN DROVE AROUND WITH IT CONNECTED TO SEE IF IT WAS A DRIVABLITY PROBLEM BUT THAT PRODUCED NOTHING. VERY SORRY THAT I PURCHASED THIS CAR! NEVER OWN A CHRYS. PRODUCT AGAIN.....AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR FROM THIS DEALER.
Power train, May 12, 2021
POWER TRANSFER UNIT FAILED , 2014-2017 MODELS THE SAME AS MINE HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS VERY TYPE OF FAILURE. MY 2018 WAS BUILD WITH EXACT SAME PTU ASSEMBLY. I THINK MINE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL WAS DRIVING TO STORE ON HWY 26 8 MILES WEST OF SWAN VALLEY IDAHO, CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH , LOUD BANG, LOST ALL FORWARD MOTION,COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD, PUT IN PARK AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO DIRT ON SIDE OF HWY, BRAKED AND SET PARK BRAKE, CALLED TOW TRUCK AND VEHICLE IS AT LOCAL JEEP DEALERSHIP, COULD HAVE KILLED ME IF CONDITIONS WERE DIFFERENT.
Electrical system, May 7, 2021
MY JEEP WOULDNT START(05/04/2021) SO I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY (05/05/2021).BUT I NOTICE TODAY (05/06/2021)THAT THE CLOCK HAD RESET ON IT OWN( SO I GOT TO NE LOSING POWER) AND MY SERVICE SHIFTER CAME ON AA WELL WHILE IN MOTION
Electrical system, May 6, 2021
'SERVICE SHIFTER' COMES ON. DEALER SAYS THERE'S NO ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I'M DRIVING AND AT IGNITION START UP.
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!!!
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2021
DURING TRANSIT DOWN THE STREET AND ONCE THE CAR TURNED ON IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE SHIFTER COLUMN LIGHTS ARE LIT UP IN RED, THE DASH READS SERVICE SHIFTER. PLEASE HELP US AND OTHERS RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A HIT AND MISS WITH THE DEALERSHIPS AND JEEP STATING THAT IT IS NOT AN ISSUE ENOUGH TO CALL IT A RECALL WHEN THERE ARE DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS WITH THE SAME ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2021
STALLS WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD! I PULL OVER RESTART!
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY WHEN MY VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP IT STALLS OR WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. UPON CHECKING THE OIL IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NOT EVEN A QUART LEFT NO INDICATOR LIGHT NO OIL CHANGE NOTIFICATION; I HADN'T YET REACHED THE MONTHS OR MILEAGE ON THE STICKER RECOMMEND BY THE MECHANIC SHOP WHERE I GET MY OIL CHANGED,
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.