The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is associated with 682 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 7 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 200 reports (29% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 17 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 3.6l 6-cyl, 6.4l 8-cyl, 6.2l 8-cyl, 2.4l 4-cyl, 3.2l 6-cyl, and 5.7l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 13 to 25 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 682 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 7 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (200 / 29%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 11 crash / 5 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 13–25 MPG (17 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,200 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee SRT 4WD | 6.4L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 13 MPG | 19 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee TrackHawk 4WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 11 MPG | 17 MPG | 13 MPG | — | $5,850 / yr |
| Cherokee FWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Cherokee FWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| Cherokee FWD | 3.2L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| Cherokee 4WD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Cherokee 4WD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Cherokee 4WD | 3.2L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II | 2.4L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 27 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II | 3.2L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,350 / yr |
| Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD | 3.2L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,350 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 5.7L 8-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 14 MPG | 22 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,150 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV 2WD | | | | | 17.4% |
| SUV 4WD | | | | | 16.900000000000002% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Jeep Cherokee models.
View complete 2018 Jeep Cherokee crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Jeep Cherokee problems & component breakdown (94 categories) →
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
View all 2018 Jeep Cherokee recalls & campaign history (7 campaigns) →