2018 Jeep Cherokee Complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/26/2026

CAR INDICATING SERVICE 4WD MESSAGE. I HAD A SCAN DONE ON THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT IS A POWER TRANSFER UNIT ISSUE WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR YET PER MY VIN NUMBER, MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. I HAVE HAD THIS MESSAGE EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE 03/26.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/09/2026

Took my 2018 Jeep cherokee to dealership for a service appointment, a service the 4wheel drive light came on. We have experience hard transmission shifting and popping. The dealership haved checked our Jeep and told us that the replacement of the PTU had to be replaced. My wife is not driving the Jeep due to the fear of locking up and causing an accident.

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN — Filed 11/14/2023

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the transmission failed to shift into gear properly. The contact stated that the vehicle nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rear differential failure. The contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the 4WD warning light was later illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/13/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that on a rainy day while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle almost spun out of control due to a lack of traction. The message "4WD System Service Required" was displayed. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with a power transfer unit failure. The DTC: C14a7-97, associated with TSB: S1721000016 and NHTSA ID: 102247452 for the 4WD, was displayed. The manufacturer was contacted by phone about the failure and stated that the cost of the repair was not covered because the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 84, 400.

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/26/2026

My 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is subject to FCA Recall 01C/NHTSA 25V-011 for two-speed PTU failure. I have experienced 3 serious drivetrain events requiring towing. In April 2024, before the recall was announced, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration while entering an interstate/on-ramp, with loud grinding/revving and jerking. An independent repair facility replaced the transmission. On May 18, 2026, another drivetrain failure occurred. An authorized Jeep dealer confirmed PTU failure and performed Recall 01C. Dealer records state the PTU had “MAJOR INTERNAL DAMAGE” and document damage at the PTU/transmission interface, including a transmission-side stub shaft and damage/scored gears attributed to the old PTU gear. The vehicle remained at the dealer until approximately August 7. About 2 weeks later, the Service 4WD warning appeared, followed by loud drivetrain noise, jerking and severe loss of propulsion. The vehicle also rolled backward while in PARK unless the parking brake was applied and required another tow. The dealer diagnosed a failed left-front CV axle/halfshaft and attributes it to progressive wear, unrelated to the PTU repair. I am not claiming the PTU caused the axle failure; I am asking NHTSA to evaluate the timing and repeated loss-of-propulsion/PARK events. Additionally, the dealer performed a multipoint inspection about one week before the axle failure that marked the CV drive axle category as passing. As of Sept. 2, 2026, BOTH NHTSA and FCA/Mopar systems still listed Recall 01C as incomplete/unrepaired despite the dealer having performed the recall repair. I request review of these repeated safety failures, the recall remedy, and the continued incomplete recall status.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/06/2026

Noticed that while going slow and turning heard popping from the rear end. Had 3 different certified shops give me different answers to the cause. Had to attempt to find my wife a way to work. As stated previous We started at Becks for estimate and diagnosis. Then Daver Taylor transmission. Then I called Jeep Customer Care. Also dropped off our Jeep at Dealership. The day we picked it up from Dave Taylor and went to the dealership the SVC4x4 light came on. We not have it all together again. However we retained every parts that they said was faulty and replaced. Started our own research. Found it odd that our jeep had the same mechanical issues as stated in the previous campaigns. NHTSA 20V343 / FCA W47 and NHTSA 23V302 / FCA 45A, NHTSA Campaign Number 26V290. To this day no one has ever given a clear definition of what the root cause was.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 06/16/2026

I have a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The exact component causing the problem is UNKNOWN. While driving, a “Service Shifter” warning appeared on the dashboard and all of the gear indicator lights illuminated at the same time. After I turned the vehicle off and restarted it, the warning disappeared. On a separate occasion, a “4WD Service Unavailable” message appeared along with the SVC 4WD warning light. That warning also later disappeared. I am concerned about my safety because these warnings involve the vehicle’s shifter and four-wheel-drive system, and I do not know whether either system could malfunction while I am driving. The vehicle has not been inspected or diagnosed by a Jeep dealer or independent repair facility for this problem yet. I took the vehicle to Advance Auto Parts, where they connected a diagnostic scanner, but no codes were found with their scanner. The warnings have been intermittent and have disappeared after restarting the vehicle. There were no other symptoms that I noticed before the warnings appeared. The exact cause of the Service Shifter and SVC 4WD warnings is UNKNOWN.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/01/2025

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel, and the transmission was shifting very roughly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the battery was replaced several times out of pocket; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,270.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,STRUCTURE — Filed 06/25/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 25–30 MPH on the highway, the brakes locked up, and the vehicle failed to move. The "Service Brakes" message illuminated on the instrument panel after the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V523000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic brake module had failed due to water intrusion and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 03/09/2026

The rear defroster or related electrical wiring in the rear glass/liftgate area appears to have malfunctioned and shorted, causing a fire while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unattended. The fire resulted in the rear glass shattering/blowing out. The incident was recorded on a residential security camera. This posed a significant safety risk because the fire started while the vehicle was off, creating danger to occupants, bystanders, nearby vehicles, and surrounding property. There were no prior warning indicators, messages, or symptoms known before the failure. A dealership has inspected the vehicle and provided a repair estimate consistent with failure in the rear defroster/rear glass area. The vehicle and damaged components should be available for inspection. Based on the observed damage and location of the fire, this appears to be an electrical short involving the rear defroster system or related wiring.

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/16/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while she and her children were stopped at a light and making a left turn, another vehicle accelerated through the yellow light and collided with the front of her vehicle. The air bags did not deploy in her vehicle, but they deployed in the vehicle that collided with her vehicle. The contact stated no one in her vehicle sustained any injuries, and medical attention was not needed. The police arrived, and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/18/2023

I struck the back of a semi truck on the freeway at an estimated 35-40 miles per hour. I did not apply my brakes. Extensive damage to the entire front of my vehicle.

STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 04/02/2023

This vehicle is designed to be a flat tow vehicle for a class a motorhome. No one made me aware of the death wobble and this caused an accident which could have been deadly. We did 13,000 dollars in damages to my motorhome and jeep. After hours of research i found this to be a common problem from Jeep. i contacted the local jeep service department and they were not aware of this. Come to find out there is a jeep part to correct the problem, at a cost of $286.39 and a labor charge of $460.00 to install. If jeep is aware of this problem, why are they not advising the public to not flat tow this jeep until the necessary parts are installed. There is nothing in the manuals regarding this problem!

ENGINE — Filed 01/27/2022

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, she started to smell a burning odor. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact's father inspected the vehicle and noticed that the oil level was low; he also noticed that there was an oil leak but could not determine the location of the oil. The local dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V670000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/29/2021

Driving on Hwy 156 close to hanston city , Kansas a deer came out of nowhere and hit my car , as soon I hit the deer it hit the front of the keep, it lost power immediately, it was still running slowly and temperature on the dashboard said 186, all lights in the dashboard where red, smoke was coming out and I keep driving it till i find a dirt road. No airbags dispatched, there was oil and smoke all the time .

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 12/07/2020

ALL THE ENGINE OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE CAR AND STARTED TO SMOKE WHILE I WAS IN MOTION AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT WAS PERFECTLY FINE AT FIRST. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED BUT MY ENGINE IS NOW MESSING UP AND I ALMOST GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/22/2020

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.

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 12/17/2019

I HAVE A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE WITH UNDER 30,000 MILES ON IT. MY CAR'S STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE TAKING A RIGHT TURN. MY BRAKES AND STEERING WERE LOCKED, CAUSING ME TO DRIFT UP ON TO A CURB AND HIT A SIGN. NO WARNING OR INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I AM LEASING THE CAR FROM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH JEEPS, THAT THE CAR WILL BURN THROUGH OIL VERY QUICKLY, THAT NO LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND THAT THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN AS A 'SAFETY FEATURE.' I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO PROTECT MYSELF BEYOND GETTING OIL CHANGES EVERY 3K MILES AND THAT IT 'SHOULD' BE FINE. AGAIN, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN OR THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE PRIOR TO IT TURNING OFF WHILE IN MOTION. THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE IN MOTION WAS REFERRED TO AS A SAFETY FEATURE BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO WOULD ONLY OFFER ME AN OIL CHANGE AS A FIX.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) — Filed 10/27/2019

SERVICE SHIFTER MESSAGE COMING UP, ALL LIGHTS ON SHIFTER TURNING RED AND CAR NOT DRIVING PROPERLY. HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE IT GO AWAY.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/12/2019

MY VEHICLE WAS HIT WITH DIRECT IMPACT ON FRONT OF VEHICLE AND DRIVERS SIDE AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. BOTH VEHICLES INVOLVED WHERE IN MOTION

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/07/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SEAT, SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AFTER HIS HEAD STRUCK THE SIDE WINDOW. THE WINDOW BROKE AND INFLICTED A CUT ON THE CONTACT'S NECK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A LEG FRACTURE. THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS WERE TRAUMATIZED. THE DRIVER AND THE REST OF THE PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM VIA AN AMBULANCE FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CRASH, THE FUEL TANK LEAKED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/03/2019

I WAS COMPLETING A TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT COMPLETELY OFF CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CURB. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS ADVISED THIS HAPPENED DUE TO A SAFETY FEATURE OF MY CAR . WHEN THE CAR IS LOW ON OIL WHEN YOU TURN IT THROWS OFF THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR SO THE ENGINE DOESN'T BLOW UP . MY LAST OIL CHANGE WAS IN FEB MY CAR IS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL AND NO CHECK OIL LIGHT APPEARED .

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/22/2019

CAR CAUGHT FIRE. MANUFACTURER DID NOT INVESTIGATE. DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS TOWED TAMPERED WITH EVIDENCE

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/16/2019

I BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED THE CAR TO BRING IN THE RECYCLING BIN. I SHIFTED INTO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS PARK, RELEASED THE BREAK, AND EXITED THE CAR. AFTER I HAD EXITED, THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD TOWARD THE OPEN GARAGE. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP BACK INTO THE CAR IN ORDER TO STOP IT AND SUSTAINED A SERIOUS HAND INJURY AS THE JEEP'S DOOR SLAMMED INTO THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE AND CLOSED BACK UPON ME. SIMILAR RUNAWAY CAR EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED TO ME IN THIS CAR (WITH LESS DRAMATIC CONSEQUENCES) TWICE PRIOR, BUT NEVER IN 25 YEARS BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS 2018 GRAND CHEROKEE. SOME 2018 JEEPS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR FAULTY PARK LOCK RODS, SO MY CONCERN IS THAT THE EVENTS I EXPERIENCED HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE INABILITY TO ACHIEVE PARK. EVEN IF I ERRONEOUSLY PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT SHOULD TYPICALLY HAVE STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AS SOON AS I RELEASED THE BREAK, ALERTING ME THAT THE CAR WAS IN GEAR. INSTEAD, NOTHING HAPPENED FOR 3 SECONDS - THIS PROVIDED A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND WORSE, GAVE ME ENOUGH OPPORTUNITY TO EXIT. THIS DELAY CAN BE REPRODUCED WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. LASTLY, WHEN THE DOOR IN THE GRAND CHEROKEE IS OPENED WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR, IT SIMPLY BEEPS ONCE - A VERY MINIMAL AND INADEQUATE ALERT SYSTEM.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/14/2018

A FEW MINUTES AFTER PARKING MY CAR, NEIGHBORS REPORTED AN "EXPLOSION" AND LOOKED OUTSIDE TO SEE THE FRONT OF THE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES *BF UPDATED 11/26/18*JB