2018 Jeep Cherokee Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee. Part of Generation 5 (KL) — 2014–2023.

20172019
Complaints
971
per 10K Sold
40.5
US Sales
239,437
Crashes
18
Fires
8
Injuries
7
Fatalities
Recalls
7

Worst 2018 Jeep Cherokee Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1280 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:48,624 mi
#2184 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:40,356 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#3154 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:36,247 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee.

Transmission / Drivetrain
280
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,624
Electrical Faults
184
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
40,356
Engine Problems
154
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
36,247
Brakes
33
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
34,671
Steering Defects
29
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
22,810
Fuel System
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
13,709
Unintended Acceleration
20
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,450
Airbags
16
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
19,000
Electronic Stability Control
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
32,485
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
46,613
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Adas:Rear Occupant Alert (Roa):Camera/Sensor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Software
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Warning
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 Jeep Cherokee

7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,963,861 vehicles.

25V011000Transmission / Drivetrain
~63,130 affected

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.

18V524000Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
~12,779 affected

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.

18V494000Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft
~702 affected

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.

18V332000Electrical System:software · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control · Electrical System:wiring
~4,815,661 affected

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.

18V282000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
~48,990 affected

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.

17V670000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
~357 affected

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.

17V543000Equipment:other:labels · Wheels:rim
~22,242 affected

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."

Other Jeep Cherokee Years

2018 Jeep Cherokee — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2018 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee has 971 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 7 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 280 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (280 complaints, avg 48,624 mi); Electrical Faults (184 complaints, avg 40,356 mi); Engine Problems (154 complaints, avg 36,247 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 40,023 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee include 18 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,963,861 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Jeep Cherokee reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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