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The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 841 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 3 active recall campaigns.
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 841 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 309 complaints, typically surfacing around 36,126 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Grand Cherokee | 1,344 | 2 |
| 2016 Grand Cherokee | 307 | 3 |
| 2017 Grand Cherokee | 362 | 2 |
| 2018 Grand Cherokee (this page) | 841 | 3 |
| 2019 Grand Cherokee | 357 | 4 |
| 2020 Grand Cherokee | 226 | 2 |
| 2021 Grand Cherokee | 397 | 6 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
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.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 52,834 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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.
By year, 2018 (around 800 complaints) is the weaker year of that window; 2020 is the cleanest. Nothing grenade-grade.
Not the engine — the supporting cast:
Yes, with the configuration in mind:
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.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
If the floor mat prevents the accelerator pedal from returning to idle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
If the floor mat prevents the accelerator pedal from returning to idle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA23001 on NHTSA →
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 →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 841 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.
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: 78 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.
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 309 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 36,126 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 841 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 36,126 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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.
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.
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.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 841 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.