2018 Jeep Cherokee: Reliability Data

964
Total Complaints
31,436mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
18
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

18,500 25th Percentile
31,436 Median Mileage
46,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Power Train
275
Electrical System
183
Unknown Or Other
171
Engine
154
Service Brakes
33
Steering
29
Fuel/Propulsion System
26
Vehicle Speed Control
20
Air Bags
16
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
15

Severity Assessment

18
Crashes
8
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AND EMERGENCY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP, 7911..."
"PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT"
"THIS COMPLAINT IS NOT SPECIFIC TO MY CURRENT VEHICLE. THE HEAD RESTS IN ALL NEWER VEHICLES ARE MAKING THOSE OF US WHO ARE NOT OVERWEIGHT AND HAVE GOOD POSTURE SIT IN AN AWKWARD POSITION WITH OUR HEADS PUSHED FORWARD. THIS IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND WE CAN'T TURN THE HEAD RESTS AROUND BECAUSE THEN TH..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Power Train 275 complaints
25th: 19,625 mi Median: 37,300 mi 75th: 57,750 mi
Electrical System 183 complaints
25th: 20,750 mi Median: 35,250 mi 75th: 46,000 mi
Unknown Or Other 171 complaints
25th: 17,000 mi Median: 30,000 mi 75th: 41,000 mi
Engine 154 complaints
25th: 16,919 mi Median: 27,000 mi 75th: 42,050 mi
Service Brakes 33 complaints
25th: 25,396 mi Median: 36,050 mi 75th: 43,250 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

TX: 82 IL: 69 CA: 69 TN: 50 NC: 50 FL: 49 GA: 48 PA: 38 SC: 38 NY: 34

Who Files Complaints?

1.7%
Original Owners
98.3%
Second+ Owners

Jeep Cherokee — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

YearComplaintsCrashes
199036818
199129714
199217521
199357160
199461868
1995732110
199658472
199749660
199855342
199951649
200050632
200132933
2014393297
2015262980
2016201352
2017188641
2019227165
202031511
202117316
2022602

Active Recalls (7)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Campaign 18V282000 | 01/05/2018
A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U39.
Axle Shaft
Campaign 18V494000 | 26/07/2018
If the halfshaft bearing cage breaks, the halfshaft may not be able to transmit engine power, causing a loss of drive or it can allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Wiring
Campaign 18V332000 | 17/05/2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise
Labels
Campaign 17V543000 | 31/08/2017
The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.
Front Underhood
Campaign 18V524000 | 09/08/2018
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Engine
Campaign 17V670000 | 24/10/2017
If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.
Power Train
Campaign 25V011000 | 29/04/2025
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
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.

Extend Your Transmission Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

  • Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
  • Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
  • Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
  • Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
  • Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately

Looking for a replacement?

Based on the data above, here are relevant options.

Affiliate link

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28