2018 Jeep Cherokee

◆ Worse than typical
2018 Jeep Cherokee
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Jeep Cherokee Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2018 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 7 complaints 1985: 17 complaints 1985 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 57 complaints 1988: 97 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1990: 270 complaints 1990 1991: 233 complaints 1992: 113 complaints 1993: 418 complaints 1994: 519 complaints 1995: 608 complaints 1995 1996: 447 complaints 1997: 390 complaints 1998: 399 complaints 1999: 366 complaints 2000: 369 complaints 2000 2001: 229 complaints 2006: 17 complaints 2014: 2636 complaints 2015: 1776 complaints 2016: 1398 complaints 2016 2017: 1323 complaints 2018: 678 complaints 2018 2019: 1582 complaints 2020: 258 complaints 2021: 136 complaints 2021 2022: 44 complaints 2023: 3 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2018: 678 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19811
19820
19830
19847
198517
198621
198757
198897
1989191
1990270
1991233
1992113
1993418
1994519
1995608
1996447
1997390
1998399
1999366
2000369
2001229
200617
20142636
20151776
20161398
20171323
2018678
20191582
2020258
2021136
202244
20233
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 42%

42% of complaints: power train — 288 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 28%

28% of complaints: electrical system — 187 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260326

ENGINE 23%

23% of complaints: engine — 155 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes — 34 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
STEERING 4%

4% of complaints: steering — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20171013 — equipment, wheels

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.

Campaign 17V543000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171205 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 17V670000 — check if this car was fixed

2018 — complaint volume: 678
R 20180524 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 18V282000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180604 — electrical system, vehicle speed control

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V332000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180920 — power train

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 18V494000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181002 — electrical system

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...

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20260219 — power train

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.

Remedy: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 25V011000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2018 Jeep Cherokee — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (288 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (187 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (155 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 17V543000 (equipment, wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V670000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V282000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V332000 (electrical system, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V494000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V524000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V011000 (power train) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2015 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2018 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Jeep Cherokee is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.