The 2018 Jeep Wrangler is associated with 1811 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 14 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Steering, accounting for 672 reports (37% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 10 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2L 4-Cyl hybrid and 3.6l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 24 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 1811 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 14 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Steering (672 / 37%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 22 crash / 25 fire / 13 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 18–24 MPG (10 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 |
| New Wrangler 4WD Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 23 MPG | 25 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| New Wrangler Unlimited 4WD Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 22 MPG | 24 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| New Wrangler Unlimited 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| New Wrangler 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 17 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| New Wrangler 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| New Wrangler Unlimited 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 17 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Wrangler 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 5-spd | 17 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Wrangler 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 17 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Wrangler Unlimited 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 5-spd | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Wrangler Unlimited 4WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / 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 |
| 2 DR 4WD Later Release | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | | 27.900000000000002% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Jeep Wrangler models.
View complete 2018 Jeep Wrangler 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 Wrangler problems & component breakdown (160 categories) →
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers replaced the harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or the spare tire carrier/harness assembly, as necessary, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired by January 15, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 77B.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
View all 2018 Jeep Wrangler recalls & campaign history (14 campaigns) →