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.
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.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 10, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP AND SOME CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL . DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW WIRING HARNESS AND BEZEL BUT IS NOT UNDER RECALL EVEN KNOW ITS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS. TALKED TO MULTIPUL PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSUE ONE INVOLVED IN A CRASH FROM IT
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2020
10 SEP 2020 AT 0745 MY JEEP CHEROKEE WITH 34,000 MILES HAD A DASH MESSAGE SAYING "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER EMITTED RED. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND BACK ON THERE WAS NO MESSAGE OR ANYTHING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2020
STARTED VEHICLE AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE SHIFTER PANEL CAME ON AND A WARNING OF "SERVICE SHIFTER" CAME ON THE DASH. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK AND AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS AT GETTING THIS FIXED, THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO CLUE. IT IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER KEEPS APPEARING ON THE DASH OF THE JEEP. ALL OF THE LIGHTS BESIDE OF THE SHIFTER LIGHT UP RED AND STAY ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THE LIGHT WILL TURN ON WHEN IT IS PARKED OR RANDOM TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER SHOWING UP ON DISPLAY MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAD IT REPLACED RIGHT AWAY THE FOLLOWING MONTH. CHRYSLER HELPED WITH MY REPAIRS.
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
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
I AM CONSISTENTLY GETTING A SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT ON MY 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. IT HAS 30000 MILES ON IT. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND IT GOES OFF. I HAVE SEEN ANOTHER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON ONLINE FORUMS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2020
MY JEEP KEPT GIVING THE SERVICE SHIFTER BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DODGE HOUSE IN ODESSA TEXAS THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR IT. SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BUT STILL TOOK ALMOST 3WEEKS JUST FOR THEM TO GET THE PART BECAUSE THEY WHERE IN BACK ORDER
Engine, Sep 6, 2020
FILLED UP ON GAS, WHEN STARTING THE CARE IT STATED OIL CHANGE SOON. 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED TO SHUTTER LIKE IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. WITH IN 20 MILES IT DID THIS 7 TIMES ON A FREEWAY. WHEN ON THE SURFACE STREETS IF THE CAR WAS STOPPED IT WOULD SHUTTER THEN TURN OFF. IT WOULD STATE PLACE INTO PARK AND RESTART VEHICLE. I WAS NOT OVER DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. I DID NOT LET EVEN THE GAS LIGHT COME ON. I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FINE TILL THE OIL CHANGE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2020
MY CAR ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES AND RECENTLY JUST PURCHASED IT 2 MONTHS AGO AND IT STARTED SAYING 'SERVICE SHIFTER' AND THE SHIFTS ALL LIGHT UP RED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, A LOT OF JEEP OWNERS EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE WITH JEEPS. AN ISSUE THAT NEVER SEEMS TO GO AWAY REGARDLESS OF TAKING IT TO A SHOP
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE SHIFTER APPEARED ON DASH. HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 29, 2020
I HAVE A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE AND A COUPLE OF TIMES THE SHIFT SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON AND PRND ALL LIGHT UP...LOOKED IT UP ON LONG AND A LOT OF JEEPS HAVE THIS PROBLEM...THAT'S WHY I BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO I WOULD BE SAFE AND NOW I'M SCARED THAT I WILL WRECK IF IT GOES OUT...WHEN THIS HAPPENED YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN GEAR AND CUT YOUR CAR OFF...BUT WHAT IF IT DOES IT WHILE I'M DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2020
EVERY NOW AND THEN WHEN I START THE VEHICLE OR WHILE I AM DRIVING IT A MESSAGE WILL POP UP ON MY DASHBOARD THAT SAYS 'SERVICE SHIFTER.' THE SHIFTER LIGHTS FLASH RED AND I GENERALLY HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE. THE SHIFTER APPEARS TO FUNCTION PERFECTLY FINE, SO IT IS PUZZLING THAT I GET THIS REOCCURRING NOTIFICATION EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES.
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2020
ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE GEAR BOX TURN ON AND SAYS "SERVICE SHIFTER". HAPPENED ONCE A MONTH AND IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT.
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2020
MY 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, THE SERVICE SHIFTER WARNING LIGHT APPEARS ON MY DASH AND ALL OF THE GEAR LIGHT APPEAR SOLID RED ON MY SHIFTER, THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK OR WHEN I COME TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING, IT'S VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE ( OIL CONSUMPTION) AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES OF THE ERROR OCCURRING. THIS HAPPENS PERIODICALLY AND WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE 'SERVICE SHIFTER'' LIGHT GOES AWAY. THERE NO WAY FOR THE DEALER TO FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY SAY THE CAN'T FIND ANY ERROR CODES WHEN I HAVE TIME STAMPED PICTURES ON MY PHONE OF THIS HAPPENING. I'M AFRAID THIS MIGHT LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR SHIFTER FAILURE WHILE IN TRAFFIC DRIVING.
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
Electrical system, Aug 7, 2020
SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT AT 33,000 MILES. I HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE "SERVICE SHIFTER" LIGHT ISSUE WITH MANY OTHER JEEPS, SO I WANTED TO ALSO REPORT. THAT IS TOO MUCH. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE MY JEEP IN FOR SERVICE RIGHT AWAY, AND THEN COVID HAPPENED, SO NOW I'M WAY PAST MY WARRANTY MILES SO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED.
Engine, Aug 7, 2020
EXCESSIVE OIL LOSS IN ENGINE. LITTLE OIL ON DIPSTICK. OIL CHANGE IS NOT DUE FOR ANOTHER 4,774 MILES. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN DRIVING NO MORE THAN 1/2 MILE.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 7, 2020
VEHICLE STALLS AT START OF DAY AFTER DRIVING NO MORE THAN A HALF A MILE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS IN TRAFFIC. BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AFTER STALLS AND DOES NOT START. LETTING IT SIT FOR AWHILE IT EVENTUALLY STARTS. BATTERY WAS FULLY TESTED AND HOLDS CHARGE. DECIDED TO PARK VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER AS TO NOT RISK TRAFFIC CRASH.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 27, 2020
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN, I LOST ALL CONTROL. A MESSAGE POPPED UP THAT SAID 'APPLY BRAKE AND PUT IN PARK OR NEUTRAL' THE ENGINE SLOWLY LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR BEEPS AND SAID 'LOW BATTERY' BUT ALL LIGHTS AND VOLTAGE READING WAS COMPLETELY NORMAL. I TURNED CAR OFF, RESTARTED CAR, AND IT WAS FINE, I DRIVE IT ANOTHER 100 METERS AND IT REPEATS THIS EXACT CYCLE ALL THE WAY HOME.
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2020
THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE. THE ON BOARD SCREEN WILL SUDDENLY SHOW "SERVICE SHIFTER" AND ALL THE SHIFTER INDICATOR LIGHTS GO RED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO AT INITIAL STARTS. WHEN VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED, EVERYTHING RETURNS TO NORMAL. DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT SAYS OVERHEATING PROBLEMS CAN ENSUE.
Engine, Jul 19, 2020
IN MARCH, DRIVING DOWN RED ROAD - CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND THEN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. AS IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT TO THE RIGHT LANE AS TO AVOID THE TRAFFIC. CALLED TOW TRUCK AND WHEN THEY CAME, WENT TO JUMP THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO NEED - CAR STARTED. WENT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR THAT I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE OIL IS LOW. PANDEMIC CAME SO DIDN'T DRIVE MUCH - LAST THURSDAY, 7/18, I GOT IN THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T START AGAIN - I WAITED A WHILE AND IT HESITATED STARTING. FINALLY STARTED AND WENT TO DO GROCERIES. LEAVING THE STORE, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, THE CAR DID NOT START AT ALL, CONTINUED TO TRY AND IT FINALLY STARTED. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER 7/17/20 - STILL 1,000 MILES TO GO BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE AND AGAIN, THEY SAID I HAVE TO DO THE OIL CHANGE NOW EVERY 2500 MILES. THE CAR HAS SYNTHETIC OIL - I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHANGE EVERY 2500 MILES AS THE OIL IS ALSO MORE EXPENSIVE. TODAY 7/18, CAR DID NOT START AGAIN, SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT STARTED AND NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. READ ONLINE CAR HAS ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN AND STALLING AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS IT MAY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN. HEADING TO THE DEALER AGAIN TOMORROW MORNING BECAUSE NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THE ISSUE OF THE CAR NOT STARTING, SHUTTING DOWN AND STALLING.