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, Nov 11, 2020
EXCESIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. 1 QUART EVERY 750 TO 800 MILES.
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.
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2020
THIS IS THE SECOND SINCE AUGUST 2018 THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. FIRST TIME IT GAVE ME A WARNING LIGHT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH AUTO START. THEN JUST NEVER WOULD START AGAIN. THIS TIME THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE CAR WAS IN PARK, SHUT OFF AND WOULDN'T RESTART. BATTERY TESTED AT DEALER AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. THE BATTERY SAYS IT HAS A 36 MONTH WARRANTY BUT DEALER SAYS I HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE FOR NEW BECAUSE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AUTO START THAT FRIES THE BATTERY!
Engine, Oct 28, 2020
MY SISTER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY TURN OFF ON THE STREET. SHE TURNED IT BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE, I'M AFRAID OF DRIVING THE CAR AND SOMETHING WORSE MAY HAPPEN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2020
AFTER OWNING THIS VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK THE SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS BY THE SHIFTER CAME ON. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. LIGHTS WERE OFF CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME . LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN , ALWAYS GOES OFF AFTER RESTARTING. AFTER READING ALL COMPLAINTS OF OWNERS ONLINE I AM CONCERNED THAT I WILL HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I CAN'T BELIEVE WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SATISFACTION.!PLEASE , LET SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 22, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON BY THE GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TON DRIVE. THE LIGHTS ARE RED. IT SAID SHIFT SYSTEM. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CANNOT CHECK OIL, TIRE INFLATION, TEMPERATURE OR ANYTHING ELSE. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, TURNING, ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. WHAT COULD IT BE?
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 7, 2020
FIRST INCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HENCE STATIONARY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER AND A A CLICKING NOISE WOULD BE HEARD WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND LET IT RUN FOR A WHILE, THEN I SHUT IT OFF TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OK AND IT DID NOT START AGAIN. SAME FLICKERING LIGHTS AND CLICKING NOISE. GOT IT JUMP STARTED AGAIN. DROVE TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE BATTERY CHECKED, WHILE TRYING TO PARK, VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WITH CAR ON DRIVE. AUTOZONE EMPLOYEE TRIED TO JUMP START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AUTOMATIC LOCKS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AS OF RIGHT NOW, UNKNOWN CAUSE OF VEHICLE INCIDENT.
Engine, Oct 4, 2020
I PULLED TO MY HOME AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN PUTTING MY CAR IN REVERSE.
Electrical system, Oct 1, 2020
WHILE DRIVING I GET A MESSAGE THAT SAYS SERVICE SHIFTER. AT THE SAME TIME ALL THE RED LIGHTS COME ON WHERE THE SHIFTER IS. IT STAYS ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. FEAR THAT IT WILL LOCK ON ME WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER NOTIFICATION CAME ACROSS DASH AND ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER WERE LITE UP RED. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, AND NOT IN DRIVE. AS THE 2017S JEEP CHEROKEE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND NOW RECALL FOR SERVICE SHIFTER. SOMONES INCIDENT WAS THAT CAME ACROSS DASH, SERVICE SHIFTER AND WITHIN 10SECONDS THEIR FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THEY WRECKED ON THE HIGHWAY. I DONT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME !! OR ANYONE WITH A JEEP CHEROKEE.
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.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2020
HAD JEEP 2 YRS 6 TIMES WE HAVE HAD PROBLEM. DRIVING DOWN ROAD TURN CORNER SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON. SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY IT ALSO OCCURS. ALL LIGHTS ON SHITER LIGHTS UP RED. AND SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE COMES ON. HAPPENS 3-6 MONTHS. NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 28, 2020
AFTER GETTING MY JEEP WORKED ON AT CROWN JEEP OF CHATTANOOGA FOR MY DASH BOARD SAYING 'SHIFTER SERVICE' THEY REPLACED MY SHIFTER BEZEL CLAIMING THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS AFTER MY JEEP THREE THE EBRAKE IN WHILE GOING 65 DOWN A HIGHWAY. TONIGHT 9/28/2020 WHILE BACKING OUT MY DRIVEWAY MY JEEP THREW THE EBRAKE ON ITSELF AGAIN. THEN DID IT WHILE GOING IN TOWARD AT 35 MPH. CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MISTAKES IN THEIR CARS
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
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2020
THE SHIFTER HAS COME ON TWICE NOW AND ALL LIGHTS POP UP ON GEAR SHIFT. THIS IS ABOUT THE 4TH TOME IN 1 -1/2 YRS IN MOTION.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Sep 18, 2020
'SERVICE SHIFTER' LIGHT HAS COME ON THE DASH SEVERAL TIMES. STARTING AT 26,000 MILES. HAVE TAKEN IT SEVERAL TIME TO CROWN CHRYSLER DOGE JEEP IN CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE FOR THEM TO TELL ME IT'S ONLY THE BATTERY. THIS BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THIS ISSUE IS STILL OCCURRING. TONIGHT, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020, MY JEEP CHEROKEE NOTIFIED SERVICE SHIFTER THE. SLAMMED THE EBRAKE ON WHILE GOING 55. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS STATING NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH AFTER PUSHING THE 'BUSH TO START' BUTTON 'TO CUT THE CAR OFF,' THE BUTTON STATES THE CAR IS OFF, BUT YET THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. I NO LONGER WANT THIS 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE.
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 14, 2020
ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER COME ON RANDOMLY WHEN TURNING ON VEHICLE. YOU CAN'T PUT IN DRIVE WHILE LIGHTS ARE ON. YOU HAVE TO TURN CAR ON MULTIPLE TIMES OR UNTIL LIGHTS GO OFF. ON DASH BOARD IT READS SERVICE GEAR SHIFT LIGHTS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2020
MY CHEROKEE IS 2018, I BOUGHT IT USED JAN OF 2020. IN SEPT OF 2020 MY STARTER BROKE, I PAID $550 TO GET IT FIXED. THIS MORNING, ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER THE STARTER IS BROKEN AGAIN. MY MECHANIC IS VERY GOOD, AND WARNED ME ABOUT MULTIPLE PEOPLE COMING IN WITH THIS ISSUE AND IT BREAKING AGAIN. HE TOLD ME TO GET A NEW CAR WHICH I PLANNED ON DOING BUT IT BROKE BEFORE I GOT THE CHANCE. I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND MULTIPLE PEOPLE LEFT REVIEWS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2020
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH SERVICE SHIFTER
Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AT THE DASH WHEN DRIVING.ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON SHIFTER LIGHT UP. PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS GONE.