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: other or unspecified
212 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2018
UNACCEPTABLE WELDS ON FRAME. MANY WITH POROSITY AND SPATTER.*DT THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS A BUYBACK FOR UNRESOLVED STEERING FAILURES. *JS
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 23, 2018
ABOUT A WEEK AND HALF AGO I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AND TURNED THE VEHICLE ON (STILL IN PARK) WHEN I RECEIVED TWO WARNING/SERVICE ALERTS. FIRST WAS, "SERVICE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL", AND SECOND, "STOP/START UNAVAILABLE SERVICE STOP/START SYSTEM". FYI, THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN IN MY POSSESSION FOR A FEW MONTHS, SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. I HAVE ATTACHED THE IMAGES OF THE WARNINGS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2018
THERE ARE SEVERAL LOCATIONS ON THE FRAME OF MY VEHICLE WITH POOR WELDS. THE BEAD IS NOT UNIFORM, PENETRATION IS POOR, AND THERE IS SOME POROSITY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2018
2018 JEEP WRANGLER JLU SPORT. DURING DRIVING AT 75MPH, COLD AIR WAS FOUND COMING OUT OF GLOVE BOX SEAMS. OPENED GLOVEBOX AND COLD AIR IS POURING OUT. THIS IS WHEN THE HEATER IS ON. JEEP DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2018
2018 JEEP WRANGLER JLU SPORT. THE AC/HEATER IS OUTPUTTING A STRANGE MOLDY SMELL THAT SMELLS LIKE ROTTING SHOES. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND STATIONARY AND AGAIN APPROXIMATELY EVERY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THIS IS A BIG ISSUE FOR ME AS I AM ALLERGIC TO MOLDS. JEEP SEEMS TO BE BLOWING OFF THE ISSUE AND REFUSES TO DO MUCH ABOUT IT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2018
WELDS ON 2018 JEEP WRANGLER JLU SPORT FRAME ARE BAD IN MANY WAYS. PROBLEMS INCLUDE: -INCOMPLETE WELD IF TRACK BAR WELD WHICH COULD CAUSE FAILURE AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL -POROUS WELDS - MANY OF THE WELDS ARE POROUS -LACK OF PENETRATION -OVERWELD AKA WELD DRIP -NEARLY 90% OF THE WELDS HAVE WELD SLAG THAT WAS NOT CLEANED OFF BEFORE PAINTING. RESULTING IN PARTS OF THE WELD NOT BEING PAINTED AND PRONE TO RUST AND EVENTUAL FAULURE -THERE IS ALSO A GREAT DEAL OF WELD SPRAY THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLEANED OFF -THERE ARE ALSO WELDS THAT WERE NOT COMPLETED...FOR INSTANCE THERE IS ONE ON EACH SIDE IN THE REAR WHERE THEY ONLY WELDED HALF OF THE TUBING THAT SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A COMPLETE WELD AROUND ITS CIRCUMFERENCE. WELDS WERE EXAMINED BY PRESTIGE JEEP AND A DISTRICT REP WHO SAID THEIR WERE FINE HOWEVER THIS WAS NOT A CERTIFIED WELDING INSPECTOR. CASE WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF JEEP CARES/JEEP WAVES WHO LOOKED OVER SOME 160 PHOTOS I SENT OF THE WELDS AT WHICH POINT THEY SAID THIS ISN'T A CONCERN. IRREGARDLESS OF THE SAFETY ISSUES...AT MINIMUM THERE SHOULD BE PAINT ON THE WELDS ON MY FRAME. THE SAFETY ISSUES THEMSELVES ARE FRIGHTENING AS ONE OTHER OWNER OF THE SAME VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD HIS TRACK BAR BRACKET BREAK OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. HE IS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE MANY PHOTOS THAT I AM HAPPY TO SEND IN HOWEVER, YOUR SITE ONLY ALLOWS 5. THIS JEEP IS 3 WEEKS OLD AT THE TIME OF THESE PHOTOS AND HAS SEEN RAIN 4 TIMES. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURES THERE ARE HOLES AND POROSITY IN THESE WELDS. THE COPPER SPOTS ON THE WELDS ARE SLAG THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLEANED OFF BEFORE PAINT AS PAINT WILL NOT ADHERE STRONGLY TO SLAG AND WHEN THE SLAG FALLS OFF IT WILL LEAVE THE WELDS UNCOVERED. JEEP IS REFUSING TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE AND I AM NOW SEARCHING FOR A CERTIFIED WELDING INSPECTOR TO EXAMINE BEFORE BRING IT TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2018
MY REAR GLASS IMPLODED WHILE THE JEEP WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS 30 FEET AWAY HEARD A POP, TURNED AROUND AND SAW THE GLASS ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING HITTING THE GLASS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN 75 DEGREES. IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 25, 2018
REAR CAMERA INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO TURN ON AND DISPLAY WHEN CAR IS PUT INTO REVERSE AND DRIVING IN REVERSE. JEEP DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS ISSUE IS NOT REPORTED AND NO KNOWN SOLUTION EXISTS. LEAVING THE JEEP OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS RESOLVES THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO A SOFTWARE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT RESOLVE WITH A "RESET" OF THE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SYSTEM. MULTIPLE USERS HAVE REPORTED THE EXACT ISSUE IN ON-LINE JEEP FORUMS.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 8, 2018, fire
AS I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED THAT FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE JEEP. I MERGED TWO LANES OVER TO TRY TO TURN ON A SIDE STREET AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I PUT THE JEEP IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WE RAN UP A NEAR BY HILL, TURNED AROUND AND THE ENTIRE JEEP WAS ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. IT BURNED FOR AN HOUR. IT IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *TT *DT*JB
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2018
ON 2/9/18, FLEW FROM BOSTON TO PICK UP PURCHASE OF NEW 2018 ALL-PURPLE, 2-DOOR 40K JEEP AT CANANDAIGUA NY JEEP DEALERSHIP. (NONE AVAILABLE IN MASS.) UPON DELIVERY ON LOT, DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. SALESMAN ROBERTS STATED TO US THAT ALL JEEPS ARE QUIRKY; DOORS MUST BE SLAMMED TO CLOSE. DURING 400-MILE HIGHWAY DRIVE HOME, DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO RE-CLOSE DOOR REPEATEDLY DURING DRIVE. REPORTED PROBLEM TO (ABSENTEE) OWNERS HARRY/SCOTT KESEL, CHRYSLER CORPORATE STEVE STANDER, AND 1-800-JEEP REP D. PITTMAN; ALSO BROUGHT CAR TO KELLY JEEP SERVICE (LYNNFIELD, MA). ALL JEEP REPS TOLD ME THAT JEEP CABINS ARE AIRTIGHT WHEN CLOSED, CAUSING DOOR PROBLEM. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN IF YOU SKIP THE DRIVER SIDE AND ENTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. JEEP REPS TOLD ME TO LIVE WITH PROBLEM - NO REPAIR NECESSARY, AND INSTRUCTED ME TO: ENTER CAR DRIVER'S SIDE, TURN ON IGNITION; POWER DOWN WINDOW; RE-OPEN DOOR; SLAM AGAIN. DUE TO IMPENDING DANGER, THIS CAR HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN SINCE PURCHASE AND IS AT SERVICE DEPT. FOR 35 DAYS, MILEAGE: 400. I DO NOT WANT MY DAUGHTERS DRIVING THIS JEEP FOR OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS AND TO PREVENT THEM FROM BEING TARGETED IN A DARK PARKING LOT BECAUSE OF THIS NOTICEABLE DIVERSION TO ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE DOOR. NO FACTORY OR ZONE AREA MANAGER HAS INSPECTED, NOR HAS CANANDAIGUA DEALER OWNER, WHO PRACTICED OTHER FALSE AND DECEPTIVE SALES TACTICS ON ME. DEALERSHIP OWNER SCOTT KESEL WILL NOT TAKE BACK THE CAR OR COMPENSATE LOSS OF $6,000 FOR A TRADE-IN. HE BLAMES JEEP FACTORY; JEEP BLAMES DEALERSHIP. BOTH CLAIM THAT THE OTHER PARTY IS RESPONSIBLE. CHRYSLER CORPORATE REP SAID CORPORATE DOESN'T SPEAK TO OR INFLUENCE DEALER OWNER'S RESPONSE TO CUSTOMERS -- HANDS OFF. DEALER SAID HE'LL DO WHAT EVER CHRYSLER DIRECTS HIM TO DO. I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT I DON'T HAVE AND CAN'T USE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2018
WHILE THE DEFROST WAS ON HEAT, AND WITH COLD TEPERATURES OUTSIDE, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON ITS OWN
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2018
SENT TO TOWER IN PLYMOUTH MI TO WELD JEEP FRAMES THAT ROBOT WAS NOT WELDING CORRECTLY. TOLD TO JUST COVER THEM UP AND THEY WILL JUST PAINT FRAMES. TOLD THEY HAVE TO MEET THEIR PRODUCTION NUMBERS. I WOULD NOT DRIVE OR WANT ANYONE ELSE TO DRIVE ONE OF THESE.*DT*JB