repaired · 2026 Q3
Power train
Risk. A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
2018 Jeep CherokeeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 692 owner complaints about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, most often about the power train. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-011 the manufacturer reports only 37% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Jeep Cherokee has problems
692 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
299Power train1 crash/fire/injury
190Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
155Engine3 crash/fire/injury
34Service brakes
30Steering
26Fuel/propulsion system
20Vehicle speed control
16Air bags
15Electronic stability control (ESC)
4314 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 299 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 190 | 3 |
| Engine | 155 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 34 | 2 |
| Steering | 30 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 26 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 0 |
| Air bags | 16 | 5 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 15 | 1 |
| 14 other systems | 43 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2018 Jeep Cherokee recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q1
Wiring: front underhood
Risk. A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Axle assembly: axle shaft
Risk. If the halfshaft bearing cage breaks, the halfshaft may not be able to transmit engine power, causing a loss of drive or it can allow the vehicle to move while…
repaired · 2019 Q4
Electrical system: software
Risk. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Show 3 more recalls
repaired · 2019 Q3
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2019 Q1
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q1
Other: labels
Risk. The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Jeep.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
41kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 146 power train complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.
52under 30k miles126under 100k miles20100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
9 owners mentioned a cost$2,500median
Middle half: $1,000 – $5,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2018 vs. every other Cherokee year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cherokee median. How we score
'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'06'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2018 Jeep Cherokee safety ratings
2018 Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Cherokee owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My 2018 Jeep Cherokee had Safety Recall 01C completed on XXX. According to Stellantis TSB 21-027-26 Rev. A, completing Recall 01C grants the vehicle an unlimited mile warranty extension for mechanical PTU failures. Gresham Jeep diagnosed the vehicle with the exact mechanical failure code, but their…
Car threw a service 4 wheel drive light. Certain vehicles have been issued an extended warranty for the same problem. We took it to a local mechanic and it threw 3 codes. Replace transfer case. Replace PTU and replace the module. All 3 stated there was a bulletin issued in April 2026 for the…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving, the "4WD System Service Required" message was displayed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); and associated the failure with the recall. The manufacturer was notified…
Own a 2018 Cherokee?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.