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

Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

835 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 3 active recall campaigns on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

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

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 Grand Cherokee?
Avoid — the engine

The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.

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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Stories from the shop

Good news up front: the 2018 Grand Cherokee’s 3.6 V6 and eight-speed combo is not on our worst-platforms list, and the reasons matter for a buyer who’s heard the “Jeep unreliable” line.

Why the drivetrain is the solid part

  • The 3.6 Pentastar here is Chrysler’s own engine — not the GM 3.6 that sits at number three on our list. Different engine, and the bad early-Pentastar cylinder-head era was 2011-2013, not 2018.
  • The transmission is the ZF 8HP eight-speed — one of the better automatics in production. It is not the troublesome ZF nine-speed found in the smaller Cherokee. Don’t confuse the two.

By year, 2018 (around 800 complaints) is the weaker year of that window; 2020 is the cleanest. Nothing grenade-grade.

What actually goes wrong

Not the engine — the supporting cast:

  • 3.6 oil filter housing / cooler leaks — near-universal on these. The part is cheap-ish, the labor isn’t. Assume you’ll do it.
  • Electrical gremlins — typical of the era.
  • Quadra-Lift air suspension (if equipped) — the budget killer. Bags and compressors are expensive when they age out.

Should you buy one?

Yes, with the configuration in mind:

  • A base steel-spring 2018 with the oil-housing leak already addressed and records is a good buy.
  • An air-suspension one with no service history is a maybe — price in the suspension.
  • Run the VIN for open recalls and confirm them closed.

The powertrain will go the distance; budget for the oil housing and be wary of neglected air suspension. If you’re weighing an air-suspension truck against a repair budget, the warranty calculator is exactly the tool — that’s where the math gets real on this one.

— Mark Driver

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
309 reports · fails ~36,126 mi · avg $850
moderate
engine
76 reports · fails ~52,834 mi · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
66 reports · fails ~26,759 mi · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
45 reports · fails ~54,582 mi · avg $450
severe
airbags
22 reports · fails ~24,159 mi · avg $1,100
severe
steering
14 reports · fails ~19,841 mi · avg $700
severe
suspension
14 reports · fails ~32,373 mi · avg $900
severe
cruise control
13 reports · fails ~15,058 mi · avg $600
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2018 Grand 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 Grand 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 Grand Cherokee · lighting
The turn signals in the front headlights have a known wiring issue and stop working. The unit is all one part, non serviceable and you have to replace the entire headlight assembly at $2055. This causes a significant safety risk to everyone on the road as you are not able to…
2018 Grand Cherokee · electrical
Instrument panel/ Main display screen is delaminating. Causing inability to use navigation, seat heaters, UConnect, Apps or set any presets, media, radio or any other item from main display. Safety features from main menu are inaccessible, navigation is impeded at any moment and…
2018 Grand Cherokee · electrical
I have noticed the upper edge on my radio screen appears to the bubbling or separating from itself. It has recently become worse and causes "touches" on the screen. It makes calls and ends calls, switches the screen on and off, changes heating settings, disconnects devices,…
2018 Grand Cherokee · fuel system
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started shaking…
12/28/2022 · at 35,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11499182.0 · see fuel system pattern →
View all 835 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2018 Jeep Grand 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 3

severe NHTSA 18V759000 October 29, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Street and Racing Technology (SRT) and Trackhawk vehicles

If the floor mat prevents the accelerator pedal from returning to idle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the affected floor mats, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB3.
severe NHTSA 18E097000 October 29, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Floor Mats, part numbers 6ML07TRMAA and 6GA92TRMAA, sold as accessory equipment for 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Street and Racing Technology ("SRT") and Trackhawk vehicles

If the floor mat prevents the accelerator pedal from returning to idle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the affected floor mats, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB5.
severe NHTSA 18V048000 January 11, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk vehicles equipped with a 6

If the fuel line separates, the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a fuel line separation increases the risk of an engine compartment fire and injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the fuel line, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U02.

Under investigation 2 open at NHTSA

EA Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery · opened March 2023

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA23001 on 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 Grand Cherokee reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 835 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Jeep Grand 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 Grand Cherokee?

On the NHTSA data, the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 6 fire-related complaints and 5 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Engine: 76 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 12,000–90,000 mi; Powertrain: 66 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 4,000–36,000 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average. 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 Grand Cherokee?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 309 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 36,126 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 36,126 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Jeep Grand 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 Grand Cherokee?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 835 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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/Grand 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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