2018 Jeep Wrangler
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,822 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 22 involved a crash and 25 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 12, 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a center brake light that fails to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers replaced the harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or the spare tire carrier/harness assembly, as necessary, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired by January 15, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 77B.
Campaign 24V676000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelSep 5, 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
Campaign 24V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, clutch assemblyFeb 23, 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Campaign 23V116000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, clutch assemblyJan 28, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.
Campaign 21V028000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, clutch assemblyMar 3, 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
The overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W12.
Campaign 20V124000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageSep 26, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
Campaign 19V680000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentApr 23, 2019
Erwin Hymer Group USA LP dba American Fastbacks (EHGUSA-AF) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles sold with a roof top tent installed. The top cover of the roof top tent may crack or break, possibly resulting in the cover detaching from the vehicle while moving.
If the roof top tent cover detaches from the vehicle while moving, it can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact American Fastbacks customer service at 1-844-533-7997 extension 301. Note: Vehicles in this recall are also included in recall 19V-190.
Campaign 19V320000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchNov 8, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler four-door vehicles. The right rear passenger door latch may not be in the correct location, possibly preventing the door from latching properly.
If the right rear passenger door opens unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the right rear door latch reinforcement, free of charge. The recall begin December 6, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB6.
Campaign 18V786000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, frame and membersSep 28, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability.
An unexpected reduction in steering ability, can increase the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the track bar bracket welds, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA5.
Campaign 18V675000 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
SteeringMay 25, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
If the weld seam splits, the steering wheel may lose center positioning causing a loss of steering responsiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U48.
Campaign 18V343000 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
Power train, automatic transmissionMay 1, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Campaign 18V280000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, frame and membersApr 12, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The rear under body ladder rail may corrode, possibly reducing the strength of the rear floor pan and causing the left rear seat mount to become loose.
If the floor pan strength is reduced and/or the rear seat mount becomes loose, the rear seat may detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, coat the interior and exterior of the driver's side rear underbody ladder rail with three-part rust protection. The recall began September 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U27.
Campaign 18V231000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
267 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 9, 2022
Power steering and digital speedometer cut out without notice. Seems to be an electrical issue as it will throw a handful of lights at once and sometimes read "no bus". Has happened numerous times. Dealership replaced the aux battery. Did not resolve. Private dealerships are afraid to even touch it. Dealership I purchased it from "can't look at it until March" (5 months from now). There are reports of this all over forums and YouTube. Reached out to Chrysler directly and they basically just said "sorry your warranty is up".
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Nov 8, 2022
When driving steering stops working transmission won’t shift wipers come on speedometer stops working radio gets loud engine cooling fan turns on fast and loud warning lights come on in dash abs, trac control, air bag, and service shifter. Have to restart vehicle and tap on small electrical connector behind the glove box to return to normal. Sometimes the vehicle won’t start or shift out of park. Problem is ongoing happens when idling sitting still or driving down the road
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2022
My jeeps backup camera randomly works. This is a huge safety issue. I’ve taken it to Jeep who said there were no recalls and made me pay close to $300 out of pocket to “update” my radio system. I am still having the issues and can’t afford to keep taking the vehicle back to troubleshoot further. This is a major safety issue as it’s not guaranteed my camera will work and if it does fail there is no telling when it will start working again. If you search forums you’ll see this issue being present with jeeps since 2016 to now. All different years. Please let me know what can be done or if additional info is needed.
Electrical system, Oct 8, 2022
I have had repeated issues attempting to start the vehicle and it will not turn over. This usually occurs after I have driven the vehicle for at least 45 min. All lights and components turn on but the engine will not turn over, no indication that the engine is engaging. I tried starting in neutral and it does not engage. Battery is new, terminals are clean and fit properly. Vehicle is grounded. Sometimes after a half hour or more it will start. This happens at least once a week. Taken to mechanic e times and cannot get it to repeat.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2022
All warning lights on the dash lit up. All gauges (tach, speed, fuel) fell to zero while I was traveling at 55 mph. Engine stayed running. Power steering failed but would engage intermittently causing over steering when it caught. Found a safe place to get off the road and turned vehicle off for 1/2 hour. The vehicle ran fine afterward. Limped it to the dealer a day later and they diagnosed it as a "star connector" problem. They said they've seen it before. There's much discussion on the internet about it occurring with the 2018 Wranglers. Jeep said that the replacement connector is just the same as the one which failed so this could happen again if the connector is not improved. Loss of steering is life threatening especially when it goes on and off intermittently.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 20, 2022
1. On numerous occasions my Jeep has suffered an electrical issue that renders the power steering, power brakes and other components in-operable. My dash goes blank, then restarts showing just about every system feature as needing serviced. The dealer has tried twice to fix it stating that a Star Connector has overheated and is the cause for the problem. This is a huge safety issue and I no longer feel I can trust it to not happen again. 2. The vehicle is impossible to drive without the power steering and brakes. The wipers stick on along with the electronic radiator fan. 3. Yes, The dealer has reproduced this and stated so on the repair invoice. Stating multiple codes in multiple modules for loss communication. 4. No, the vehicle or component has not been inspected by anyone other than the dealer. 5. No warning whatsoever! It has now happened for a fourth time and is back at the dealer.
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2022
Driving down the road wipers turned on and wouldn’t go off, all warning lights started flashing, jeep started to slow down, not accelerate, wanted to stall. Radio turned up on its own. Another occurrence I stopped at a stop sign and the jeep wouldn’t go, I tried to put it in park and it wouldn’t go into park, had to turn the jeep off and back on. Safety issues!! There should be a recall on jeeps for these issues I have read so many problems like this and it is NOT SAFE
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2022
Jeep JL shows various warnings about engine revs and sometimes loss of power steering while driving at all speeds. Sometimes the Jeep will not get out of park and this issue is intermittent. Have taken it to the dealership and they cannot find anything wrong. From reading forums it would appear there is a bad wiring harness that causes this but it is terrifying when it can happen randomly and then just goes away on its own like nothing happened. I have various videos of this happening while parked. This issue seems to affect many of the JLs and rubicons. It has been happening for about 3 weeks now. Jeep does not admit or see the issue and the error codes thrown would indicate literally everything is wrong with the jeep. Can provide videos of this parked but it can and does happen randomly while driving.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 24, 2022
April 2022 - Driving down US 30 in Ohio had the electronic stability control warning light come on. Took to dealership and was advised that no codes were stored therefore no work could be done on the Jeep. Next time the ESC warning came on it also gave service gear shifter, stop/start not available along with loss of traction control. Was told it was the wiring harness getting moisture and had been replaced. Drove Jeep maybe 100 miles and same codes came on with loss of power steering at a speed of 70 mph on I-75. This time Jeep was in the shop for 45 days with no luck of pinpointing the issue. Was told by the dealership to continue to drive the Jeep until the warning lights trigger more often. Had to put Jeep In the ditch due to losing power steering. Now Jeep is not wanting to turn over and when it does start not able to get the Jeep to go into ANY gear. I can not believe I traded in my husband's Hyundai in for this paperweight as I do not feel safe driving it.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 22, 2022
The vehicle intermittently fails to shift into gear when started. This also happens intermittently while driving (when stopped the engine turns off while the brake pedal is depressed. When the engine restarts to go forward it behaves as if it is in neutral and won't engage.) Additionally, on occasion, the instrument panel fails to function while in operation. There is a blog thread on this issue as experienced by others: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/service-shifter.24255/ ***Note, the date listed below is when we first began experiencing this issue. This is an ongoing issue which is experience 5 or more times per week. The vehicle has been in and out of the shop without resolution. The cost is out of pocket. The vehicle is currently sitting at the dealership shop considered "unsafe to operate" while we wait on a solution.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2022
I have two issues to report. First issue was while driving on interstate the dash went completely out. Had no idea my speed, fuel level, navigation....nothing. I slowed down to get off the road. Stopped and turned off engine. Turned it back on and nothing. Then it just popped on. I was able to continue on my way. Then I started having the second issue. Second issue to report. The Uconnect display monitor touch screen system is delaminating and now it changes stations, systems (navigation, weather, etc) on its own. I checked the Jeep blogs and this is a consistent problem for the past 8 years. There is an adhesive problem that Jeep/Chrysler is well aware of. To stop this flickering of stations from happening, I have to drive with one hand and take my finger on the other hand keeping it constantly pressed against SXM button . Or turn off the radio. This is a 4 1/2 yr old jeep with 68,000 miles. Jeep will not do anything except replace it at retail cost. I am not alone with this issue. There are 100's of stories on the internet blogs. This should be a recall issue to protect the consumers from extremely poor quality from a company like Chrysler. They knew this was a quality issue jet continued producing a faulty product. They should be better than this and held accountable.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 18, 2022
Several messages display simultaneously on and off as the vehicle is in motion which results in power being lost, then restored in a matter of minutes which are critical when traveling in traffic or on the interstate. Steering and brakes are the first to go, but the car remains operational. The gauges display as if the car is stationary with check engine, brake, start stop disabled, traction control and many other lights displaying in error as these things are happening.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2022
Since May of this year I have been trying to get my vehicle diagnosed and repaired. Multiple warning lights and messages go off at various times. Vehicle loses power steering and speed detection at a minimum. I have been to 3 different dealers at 5 separate times. A STAR case was opened by Fiat/Chrysler but was closed despite lack of diagnosis by dealer and concerns that the vehicle was not safe to drive. I have spent thousands of dollars and communicated multiple times to Fiat with no resolution. I have noted on various forums people complaining of similar issues. The following warnings are noted at frequent intervals; ABS needs service, shift module needs service, do not shift, do not turn off power, traction control, battery warnings and many more. Every possible warning indicator is coding. At previous dealer visit to current, the dealer advised that they could not diagnose and told me to pick up the vehicle. I advised Fiat and they supported me getting my vehicle despite concerns that it was unsafe. All documented.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving the display screen went blank. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle lost power steering and was shaking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery and sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle also failed to start. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Lane departure, Jul 9, 2022
The power steering went out while driving, check engine light came on, ABS Service, Service Shifter, Start/Stop unavailable, Service 4wd, Auto Park Disabled, Blind Spot Alert, Electronic Stability Control Service, Parking Sense Off. I could not shift out of Park. Many people are having this problem with their 2018 Wrangler JL and JLU and later models. All you have to do is Google this or go to YouTube to see. It may be a faulty ECU. In any case, this is a problem and a safety hazard.
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2022
When driving, vehicle will start throwing codes and lights, losing power steering and at times after this happens will not shift out of park. Also after this happens sometimes it will not start or shut off.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 24, 2022
My Jeep has been having electrical problems many warnings across the dash including lost communication with ABS module this has been going on for about a month sometimes the fault won’t let the Jeep go into gear I brought it to the local dealership they had it for the entire day and was told they can’t find anything and that it would actually have to be happening for them to figure it out yesterday I was driving with my kids in the Jeep and the electrical want crazy and then I lost total steering while doing 55 miles per hour After my heart went through my chest I was able to get the vehicle stopped so according to my Jeep dealer I need to be in a near death crash in order for them to figure out the problem I wonder if any unexplained deaths involving newer Jeep Wrangler could be attributed to these electrical issues
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2022
The electronic dash unit (Stereo) that controls Navigation, climate, media and all other consumer input, changes the screen without touching it. The 8.4 unit is the main point of contact for a driver with the vehicle. The navigation blinks and switches areas with no touch on the screen. The dangers of the distraction is obvious to me. If they can’t make a decent unit for their expensive vehicles, maybe they should leave it out or just stop making vehicles. It’s obvious they have zero concern for customers’ safety. This is a known issue to Jeep, Chrysler, Stellantis or whatever the carmaker-du jour is!! It’s sickening what a company can get away with in this country.
Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 13, 2022
In the middle of the intersection, the power steering turned off and the steering wheel locked. I could not move the steering. All dashboard lights came on as well as the emergency brakes. The gear shift also locked and refused to shift into any toner gear. The vehicle was completely disabled and would not restart. This is the 5 time this has happened. I took it to get serviced at my local jeep Chrysler dodge dealership and I am still receiving the same issue.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 11, 2022
When driving or starting up the dashboard & radio will be pitch black not showing anything. Now when I started it up the other day I went to stop at a light and the Auto Shut Off warning light popped on and just stopped working. It will frequently reboot itself by radio standards and shut down the entire jeep system.
Steering, Electrical system, Lane departure, Jun 10, 2022
Service shifter comes on and can’t go into. While driving it’ll notify again and lock my steering making every hard to turn. Having to wait 10-30 mins just for to reset and get into gear then coming back on days later.
Electrical system, May 30, 2022
All electrical system failure. Loss of ABS, power steering, cruise control, transmission shifting, traction control, auto start, sway bar disconnect. Fan overruns. All dash warning lights come on. Electrical system will return to normal after several restarts and then randomly fail again.
Electrical system, May 23, 2022
The U-Connect screen is de-laminating. It is also disconnecting the Bluetooth connections for the phone and directions, changing input selections and volume randomly. This is causing me to have to use my phone and try to reconnect or look at the screen to see what's going on. This is causing me to be distracted while driving and also having to stop several times causing delays to deal with the screen not working properly.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, May 18, 2022
Electrical system failure. All indicator lights come on and all safety feature warning lights activate. Automobile loses power and power steering stops working. Automobile then veered right into traffic other lanes of traffic on freeway. The problem has been confirmed by Ken Ganley Chrysler. The vehicle was inspected by Ken Ganley Automotive. Has been taken to the repair shop 4 times. Same problem continues to happen. Several warning lights came on all at once and vehicle lost power steering causing vehicle to veer right abruptly. Problem first occurred at the beginning of April 2022.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 16, 2022
This car lost power steering while driving on the expresway. The lights blink, windshield wipers go off, and all the warning lights flash. It will stop and not allow you to drive. I was told it was fixed after a software update but it continues to happen and it's gotten worse. They are now saying it needs a wire harness replacement. This vehicle is very dangerous.