The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 853 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 309 complaints (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Jeep Grand Cherokee owner complaints by model year
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
11
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.
6 fire-related complaints and 5 crash-related complaints on the electrical system
Engine: 80 complaints, classified severe
Powertrain: 71 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 4.6/10 — below the segment average
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★3/5
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.
Buying a used 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Check these first
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.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 309 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
engine — 80 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 71 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
brakes — 45 owner reports
· ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 11 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.6/10 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.
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.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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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.
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…
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…
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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles
A vehicle that can be started and shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle rollaway. Disabled ABS and ESC systems can reduce vehicle handling and control in certain driving situations. Brake lights that incorrectly illuminate can fail to properly indicate the driver's intention to following traffic. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated pressure transducer and update the ABS module software, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 94B. This recall replaces previous recall number 22V-426. Vehicles previously remedied under 22V-426 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3
Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.6 out of 10 based on 853 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: 80 complaints, classified severe; Powertrain: 71 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 4.6/10 — below the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 309 owner complaints filed. 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.
Is the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good used car to buy?
It scores 4.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 853 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. 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.
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. 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. 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 853 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 12 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.
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