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: suspension
342 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Oct 24, 2018
MY JEEP WRANGLER JL WITH UNDER 7000 MILES BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT HWY SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 -65. THIS VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKING, SHAKES THE WHOLE JEEP MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL. SHAKING WILL STOP ONCE YOU SLOW DOWN TO A SLOW SPEED OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS SO BAD MY CHILDREN, WHO WERE IN JEEP FOR ONE INSTANCE, WERE SCARED AND VISABLELY SHAKEN FROM THE EXPERIENCE. THIS HAD NOW HAPPEN 5 TIMES IN A THE SPAN OF A WEEK. *DT CONSUMER STATED TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL SHAKING. UPDATED 12/13/18*JB
Suspension, Oct 17, 2018
IT STARTED WITH THE 'DEATH WOBBLE' DRIVING INTERSTATE SPEED, 65, OVER A BRIDGE AND GO OVERING ONE OF THE BRIDGE SPANS SPACERS.THE "DEATH WOBBLE" IS A VERY DANGEROUS VIBRATION THAT OCCURS IN THE FRONT END OF A VEHICLE. WHEN A VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DEATH WOBBLE, THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM RAPIDLY TURNS BACK AND FORTH, MAKING CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE VERY HARD. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE DEATH WOBBLE ONCE IT STARTS IS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN UNTIL NORMAL STEERING CONTROL IS RESTORED. AT 65 THE WHOLE JEEP SHOCK AND MY WIFE AND I WERE QUITE SCARED. I PUT HAZARDS ON AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 10 MPH AND THE WOBBLE STOPPED. A FEW DAYS FROM THEN WE TOOK THE NEW 2018 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED WITH 3000 MILES INTO THE JEEP DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE DEATH WOBBLE. THEN UPON INVESTIGATION THE DISCOVERED 'ABOUT 10 NUTS AND BOLTS THAT WERE FINGER TIGHT'. EXACT WORDS FROM THE DEALER. THEY COMMENTED THEY WERE GOING TO REPORT THIS ISSUE AS WELL. SO BETWEEN THIS AND THE PENDING RECALL OF THE 'TRACKING BAR BRACKET', I AM SCARED OF AL THE WELDS ON THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS ALL THE BOLTS NOW. *DT CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH THE BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED IT STILL WOBBLES. UPDATED 12/12/18*JB
Steering, Suspension, Oct 17, 2018
TAKATA RECALL OVER STEERING PLAY IN STEERING FRONT OUTER TIRE WEAR AFTER ONLY 3K MILES IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2018
THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR RECALL RELATED TO THE TRACK BAR WELDS ON THE JL MODEL WRANGLERS AND WHEN I SEARCH MY VIN IT IS NOT INCLUDED BUT MANY OF THE WELDS ON MY FRAME ARE RUSTING ALREADY AND APPEAR TO BE "BAD" WELDS. I AM A PROFESSIONAL WELDER AND I KNOW WHAT A GOOD WELD LOOKS LIKE. PLEASE HELP ME ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH THE MANY "BAD" WELDS ON MY BRAND NEW JEEP.
Steering, Suspension, Oct 14, 2018
VEHICLE SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY BACK AND FORTH AFTER HITTING BUMP OR CHANGE IN PAVEMENT HEIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60 TO 70 MPH). THIS STARTED AFTER ROUGHLY 2800 MILES (6 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP). THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND FEELING THAT DRIVER WILL LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN LAST SIX DAYS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND PROBLEM OR RECREATE THIS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. AFTER HITTING BUMP YESTERDAY THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED BACK AND FORTH SHAKING WAS TO PULL TO SIDE OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WHILE THIS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND SHAKING DOES NOT OCCUR AT SLOWER SPEEDS (YET), I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH IF IT CANNOT BE FIXED.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Oct 13, 2018
THE WELDS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE HORRIBLE. THERE ARE LARGE PIECES OF SLAG WHEREVER THERE ARE WELDS. THERE ARE ALREADY PLACES WHERE SOME SLAG HAS FALLEN OFF AND SPOTS HAVE STARTED TO RUST. THE ENTIRE FRAME HAS SLAG ON IT AND HUGE MESSY WELDS. THERE ARE WELDS MISSING ALONG THE FRAME. THE FRAME WAS DENTED AND HIT WITH SOMETHING BEFORE BEING INSTALLED. ALL OF THESE THINGS CAN LEAD TO WEAKENING IN THE METAL OR FAILURE IN THE WELDS.
Suspension, Oct 10, 2018
FRONT TRACK BAR WELDS ARE OF POOR QUALITY, POROUS, LACK OF PENETRATION AND NOT CONTINUOUS AS A WELD SHOULD BE. WELDS APPREAR AS UNSAFE WELDS FOR HOLDING THE TRACK BAR IN PLACE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ALL OTHER WELDS ON VEHICLE HAVE RUST SHOWING ON LEADING EDGES AND ALSO LACK OF PENETRATION ON WELDS THOUGHT OUT THE WELD BEAD. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT WITH 195 TOTAL MILES.
Steering, Suspension, Oct 8, 2018
I HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE FAULTY TRACK BAR WELD AS OF YET, BUT I AM ABSOLUTELY NOT DRIVING UNTIL A FIX/REPLACEMENT HAS OCCURRED. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THEIR SAFETY AND MINE. I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW THIS PROBLEM CAN BE SATISFACTORILY FIXED. OBVIOUSLY CANNOT PUT A BAND AID ON IT
Steering, Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 6, 2018
MY JEEP HAS BEEN DRIFTING AND STEERING HAS BEEN AWFUL ON HIGHWAY, ESC AND SERVICE LIGHTS CAME ON. ALL WELDS UNDER THE VEHICLE ARE ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE, AND I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT FEEL SAFE RISKING MY LIFE AND MY CHILD'S LIFE IN THIS VEHICLE WITH WELDS AND COMPONENTS THAT LOOK AS IF THEY WILL BREAK OR FAIL AT ANY MOMENT
Suspension, Air bags, Sep 18, 2018, crash
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK - ROUGHLY 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY MY JEEP PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT. I HAD NO CONTROL, BOUNCED OFF A PHONE POLE AND MY AIRBAG WENT OFF. IT FELT AS IF SOMETHING IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE SIMPLY GAVE OUT. *DT I HAVE NOW BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 6 WEEKS.*DT *TT *TR *JS
Steering, Suspension, Sep 12, 2018
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE JEEP WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD REQUIRING CONSTANT STEERING CORRECTION AND SOMETIMES REQUIRING EXTRA FORCE TO BE PUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON MY OWN INVESTIGATION THERE IS A TSB OUT FOR THIS BUT IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM I ALSO TOOK THE TIME TO INSPECT MY STEERING COMPONENTS AND FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONS THEY WERE ONLY HAND TIGHT
Steering, Suspension, Aug 25, 2018
STEERING IS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND REQUIRE CONSTANT CORRECTION TO STAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THERE'S A HUGE DEAD SPOT IN IT AS WELL, I FEEL LIKE I'M IN A CARTOON DRIVING.
Suspension, Structure, Aug 16, 2018
WELDS ON TRACK BAR MOUNT NOT LINED UP CORRECTLY. THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE FRAME, LOTS OF SLAG, MISALIGNED WELDS, BAD PENETRATION, MALFORMED WELD CAPS, SPATTER, AND POROSITY. *DT *TR
Steering, Suspension, Aug 12, 2018
LOOSE STEERING, VEHICLE DRIFTS AND WANDERS WHILE DRIVING, CONSTANTLY NEEDING TO CORRECT STEERING TO GO STRAIGHT
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Aug 1, 2018
STEERING WHEEL BRACKET NOW WELDED ON TO FRAME PROPERLY. IT HAS FALLEN OFF CAR CAUSING STEERING TO BE FLOATING AND DANGEROUS
Suspension, Jul 30, 2018
IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED BALL JOINTS. THEY WERE LOOSE AND MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN STEERING.
Steering, Suspension, Apr 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HUDSON CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (625 ROUTE 440 SOUTH, JERSEY CITY, NJ 07305) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACK BAR FRACTURED AT THE AXLE FRAME AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.