2018 Jeep Wrangler

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2018 Jeep Wrangler
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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 Wrangler Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2018 highlighted. 1984: 0 complaints 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 1 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 50 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 79 complaints 1990 1991: 76 complaints 1992: 77 complaints 1993: 108 complaints 1994: 151 complaints 1995: 202 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 401 complaints 1998: 265 complaints 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 251 complaints 2001: 170 complaints 2002: 108 complaints 2002 2003: 98 complaints 2004: 192 complaints 2005: 649 complaints 2006: 730 complaints 2007: 555 complaints 2008: 872 complaints 2008 2009: 368 complaints 2010: 684 complaints 2011: 481 complaints 2012: 829 complaints 2013: 646 complaints 2014: 647 complaints 2014 2015: 453 complaints 2016: 451 complaints 2017: 304 complaints 2018: 1789 complaints 2018 2019: 721 complaints 2020: 592 complaints 2020 2021: 884 complaints 2022: 369 complaints 2023: 330 complaints 2024: 638 complaints 2025: 56 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2018: 1789 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19850
19861
198738
198850
198962
199079
199176
199277
1993108
1994151
1995202
19962
1997401
1998265
1999213
2000251
2001170
2002108
200398
2004192
2005649
2006730
2007555
2008872
2009368
2010684
2011481
2012829
2013646
2014647
2015453
2016451
2017304
20181789
2019721
2020592
2021884
2022369
2023330
2024638
202556
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 62%

62% of complaints: steering — 1110 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SUSPENSION 19%

19% of complaints: suspension — 341 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 249 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 163 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, he noticed an abnormal melted metal odor. The contact veered to the side of the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231115

The contact owned a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle had lost power and had shifting issues with the manual transmission.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231013

ENGINE 5%

5% of complaints: engine — 97 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle had lost power and had shifting issues with the manual transmission.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231013

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180408

SAFETY TIMELINE

2018 — complaint volume: 1789
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 20180621 — steering

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V343000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180628 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180911 — seats, structure

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V231000 — 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

R 20181024 — structure

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V675000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20181116 — DP (closed 20190917)

Frame Weld Deficiencies

R 20181206 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V786000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190419 — EA (closed 20240919)

Electrical overstress

R 20190509 — equipment

Erwin Hymer Group USA LP dba American Fastbacks (EHGUSA-AF) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles sold with a roof top tent installed.

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190729 — PE (closed 20191212)

Seat belt buckle bracket failure

I 20190916 — PE (closed 20231029)

Frame weld deficiencies

R 20200326 — seat belts

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V680000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200430 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V124000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210304 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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...

Campaign 21V028000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20231116 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 23V116000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240926 — back over prevention, exterior lighting

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 24V676000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20241003 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 24V652000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2018 Jeep Wrangler — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (1110 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (341 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (249 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 18V332000 (electrical system, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V343000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V280000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V231000 (seats, structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V524000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V675000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V786000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V320000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V680000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V124000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V028000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V116000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V676000 (back over prevention, exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V652000 (electrical system) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1988 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2021 ■ 2008 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2018 Jeep Wrangler reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have?

14 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.