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ProblemsByVin File / 2018-JEEP-CHEROKEE NHTSA data synced 8 hours ago
2018 · Jeep

Jeep Cherokee problems

677 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 4 active recall campaigns on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.0 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 Cherokee?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
278 reports · fails ~52,356 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
134 reports · fails ~41,148 mi · avg $850
moderate
engine
73 reports · fails ~32,419 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
steering
30 reports · fails ~26,041 mi · avg $700
severe
brakes
19 reports · fails ~100,000 mi · avg $450
moderate
airbags
10 reports · fails ~19,000 mi · avg $1,100
severe
cruise control
8 reports · fails ~34,022 mi · avg $600
moderate
suspension
6 reports · fails ~58,245 mi · avg $900
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2018 Cherokee's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2018 Cherokee?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 Cherokee · engine
A common issue with Jeeps with plastic oil filter housing is the oil filter housing cracks leading to oil leaks and engine damage.
2018 Cherokee · steering
Purchased my 2018 cherokee in feb 2018 and in october 2019 had vibration in steering wheel. Dealer said I had 4 warpped rotors that needed to be replaced at my expense. It seemed odd at only 18 months of normal driving, mostly highway.
12/31/2020 · at 25,976 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385969.0 · see steering pattern →
2018 Cherokee · powertrain
Service shifter keeps coming on my car while I'm driving since I bought it and it lights up all red next to the p r n d and you can't see your MPH on the screen or tell what gear you are in. I have to pull over turn my car off and open my door and then restart it for it to go…
12/30/2019 · at 15,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11291965.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2018 Cherokee · powertrain
I turned my Jeep on, put it into drive and the screen says service shifter. All lights on shorter are on.
12/27/2019 · at 20,103 mi · NHTSA ODI #11291531.0 · see powertrain pattern →
View all 677 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2018 Jeep Cherokee? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 4

severe NHTSA 17V543000 August 31, 2017

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

The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 18V494000 July 26, 2018

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

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 in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is U78.
severe NHTSA 17V670000 October 24, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2

If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.
View all 4 recalls →

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2018 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 677 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Jeep Cherokee has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 30 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 17,838–32,491 mi; Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 278 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,356 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 52,356 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Jeep Cherokee has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 677 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 8 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Jeep/Cherokee. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Jeep. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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