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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Jeep Renegade engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Jeep Renegade have filed 109 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 20,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
109
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Renegade | 82 |
| 2016 Renegade | 110 |
| 2017 Renegade | 144 |
| 2018 Renegade (this page) | 109 |
| 2019 Renegade | 8 |
| 2020 Renegade | 11 |
| 2021 Renegade | 4 |
| 2022 Renegade | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 109 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Jeep Renegade, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 109 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 8 model years of Jeep Renegade in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
"2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XS1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. ● Excessive oil consumption This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test and possibly replacing the long block. "
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. ● Excessive oil consumption. This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test and possibly replacing the long block."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On "
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On "
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Renegade's 2.4L engine burns oil at rates owners describe as alarming: 1 quart per 1,000 miles is common, with some reporting consumption as high as 2 quarts per 750 miles. Oil levels drop so far between service intervals that the engine cuts power without warning. A stall can happen at 70 mph on an interstate, at a traffic light, or while turning—no warning light alerts the driver until after the engine dies. Owners pull dipsticks and find them barely registering.
Dealerships acknowledge the consumption but cite FCA guidelines allowing up to 1 quart per 2,000 miles as "normal," so they refuse warranty work until the vehicle fails a formal oil consumption test. One owner had to drive 35 miles to the dealership five times in 5,000 miles for test measurements—only to miss warranty approval by one quart. Another owner was told an engine replacement approval belonged to a different vehicle after months of delays. Owners report dealerships charge for diagnostic oil changes despite warranty coverage and demand repeated documentation.
The real hazard is that the low oil warning system fails. The light flashes for a half-second after stall or only during hard cornering, leaving drivers no time to pull safely. Restarts are difficult and take multiple attempts. A few owners mention cracked oil pump housings or blown head gaskets; one saw oil and coolant mixing at 80,000 miles. FCA issued recall W80 for oil consumption and references a "current campaign" involving software updates, but owners report these don't fix the stalling. A class action lawsuit is underway, though coverage reportedly ends at 100,000 miles—leaving older used buyers with no recourse.
Same Jeep Renegade engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption leading to low oil pressure and engine stall
Owners report the 2.4L engine consumes oil at rates far exceeding normal specifications—typically 1 quart per 1,000 miles or more—leading to dangerously low oil levels between service intervals. Once oil level drops critically, a low oil pressure safety mechanism cuts ignition without warning, leaving drivers stranded in traffic, on highways, or at intersections. The engine usually restarts after several attempts.
When: Occurs between 2,000 and 5,000 miles after oil changes, though some owners report it as early as 2,000 miles and continuing through vehicle life (one complaint at 131,350 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil pressure warning light illuminates briefly or flashes when turning corners; Engine stalls abruptly without warning while driving, idling, or making turns; Difficulty restarting; requires multiple attempts or minutes to restart; No warning light alerting driver to low oil until stall occurs; Sputtering or rough running after restart; Loss of power steering when engine cuts off; Check engine light may illuminate after stall event
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure warning (OBD light behavior), U1428, D2171
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships initially perform oil changes and schedule oil consumption tests (measuring oil loss over 1,000–5,000 mile intervals). If consumption exceeds manufacturer threshold (roughly 1 quart per 2,000 miles per FCA guidelines), engine replacement may be approved under warranty or extended oil consumption warranty. However, owners report denials, delayed approvals, and repeated documentation requests. One owner cited repair cost of $86 for diagnostic oil change at dealer; others mention $78.25 oil change charges and approval delays spanning months. PCV valve replacement attempted in at least one case without resolving issue. One owner documented approval for engine replacement later discovered to belong to a different vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA issued recall W80 for oil consumption (status unknown in most narratives). TSB 09-010-25 referenced in one complaint. FCA guidelines allow up to 1 quart per 2,000 miles as 'normal' and decline engine replacement until consumption test confirms oil loss exceeds that threshold. Dealerships cite this threshold as reason to deny warranty coverage or delay repairs. Some narratives reference 'current campaign for repairs' and extended warranty program (reportedly limited to vehicles under 100,000 miles). Jeep issued software/PCM updates in some cases; one owner reports this was ineffective. Class action lawsuit referenced by multiple owners.
Engine stall due to low oil without adequate warning system
Critical safety defect: the engine is programmed to shut down when oil pressure drops critically low, but no reliable warning alert precedes the stall. Drivers report the low oil pressure light either does not illuminate at all, illuminates only momentarily (half-second to a few seconds) after the stall occurs, or flashes only under certain driving conditions (turns, curves). This leaves drivers unable to pull safely to the roadside before the engine cuts off on highways, at busy intersections, or in heavy traffic.
When: Occurs within first 6 months to 3 years of ownership; mileage ranges from 2,000 to 88,000 miles in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off while driving at highway speeds (35–90 MPH) without prior warning; Engine stalls at traffic lights or during stop-and-go driving; Engine shuts off while turning (left or right), especially on downhill turns; No warning light before stall; light may flash briefly after stall or only when making specific maneuvers; Loss of power steering and braking assist upon stall; Difficulty restarting; multiple attempts required or several minutes elapse before engine starts; High engine cranking noise or hissing sound on restart attempts
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure warning circuit (functional only after stall)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosis typically confirms low oil level on dipstick after stall. Oil topped off or oil change performed; no root cause repair offered beyond oil consumption test. One narrative mentions oil leak diagnosis by independent mechanic; another references cracked oil pump housing/balance shaft module (BSM) as potential cause, though not confirmed by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA has not issued a recall specifically for the stall hazard or the warning system deficiency. Dealerships and FCA representatives state the vehicle 'operates as designed' and advise owners to check oil dipstick every 1,000 miles. One owner cited a 'current campaign for repairs' involving PCM software reprogramming, which proved ineffective in at least one case. Manufacturer denies responsibility for stalls unrelated to formal recall criteria.
Engine overheating and coolant-oil mixing
Engine overheats and coolant enters cylinders, mixing with oil and damaging internal engine components. In one case, blown head gasket occurred at 80,000 miles despite regular maintenance; radiator, thermostat, and engine damage confirmed but vehicle was not repaired.
When: Reported at 80,000 miles after regular maintenance schedule
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheat message displayed on dashboard; Coolant warning light illuminated; Oil and coolant mixing in engine
Repairs/costs cited: Towed to dealer and independent mechanic; both confirmed blown head gasket. Vehicle towed to Jim Burke Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram but remained unrepaired at time of complaint.
Power loss or reduced power during acceleration
Vehicle loses acceleration or motive power while driving, sometimes accompanied by check engine light or 'power reduced' warning on dashboard. In some cases, power is restored after waiting several minutes.
When: Occurs at various mileages; one case at 59,192 miles, another at highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power while driving; Failure to accelerate despite pressing accelerator; Check engine light or 'reduce power' light illuminates; Vehicle limps to roadside or comes to stop; Power may return after vehicle sits a few minutes; Rough running before power loss
Codes mentioned: U1428, D2171
Repairs/costs cited: One owner used personal diagnostic tool and retrieved codes but did not seek dealer repair. Other narratives indicate owners took vehicles to dealers with minimal follow-up detail on repair attempts.
Synthesized from 109 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Was on a busy highway and without warning, car started driving rough and engine light noted to be flashing. Just made it to side of road before engine lost power. Notified by dealership the next day that there was an internal failure of the engine and a new engine was needed. 88,000 miles and regular maintenance performed at a service station. Defective fuel pump was also replaced at 66,000…
Twice now car has just stalled/shut off without warning. Engine light at that time suddenly shows "low engine oil pressure". Taken to dealer twice and oil level low-->oil change done and problem resolved for ~ 3k miles. First time happened around 4-5k miles after oil change, 2nd time happened around 4k after oil change. Oil consumption test at 1k after last oil change shows engine is burning…
Engine oil consumption issues
The check engine light comes on. The code reads P219A. Which means there's an air to fuel ratio off. It sounds like it's gonna stall.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the oil level was extremely low. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact indicated an oil consumption test had been performed. No further information was available. The…
Had engine trouble with your 2018 Jeep Renegade?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2018 Jeep Renegade?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 109 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 69 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 5,249 and 41,410 miles, with the median around 20,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,249; a quarter make it past 41,410. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Jeep/Renegade.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.