KnownCarProblems2018 Jeep Wrangler Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,827 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, most often about the steering (61% of complaints, typically around 5,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Wrangler model year since 2000 and has 14 recalls.
Most common 2018 Jeep Wrangler problems
Steering
1,117 complaints · 61%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, electric power assist system.
Same issue as many others: loose steering especially at highway speeds, and dead spots off center. Requires constant correction to stay in lane, which at highway speeds and next to trucks can be terrifying. Former Wrangler jk owner, so I know it's not a "Jeep thing". Seen many reports of lose ball joints, weak track…
Hello.this is regarding my 2018 Jeep Wrangler jl rubicon. I have been reading extensively about the frame welding recall (issued 10/5/18) that unfortunately does include my vehicle. We spent over fifty five thousand dollars on this Jeep, and are extremely disappointed in the build quality. Just to make sure that the…
Suspension
343 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 7,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Around 7000 miles we started to get a vibration that would last till we slowed down every time we hit a bump with our Wrangler jl at highway speed. It has since turned into a violent shake that will literally rattle your teeth. You can feel the shake throughout the whole care and especially on the wheel. The bump in…
Hi, I purchased a 2018 Jeep wrangle jlu new from you dealership and I have been having several significant issues with it recently. The most concerning is several issues with the steering. At highway speeds if you hit a bump like an expansion joint ; the steering wheel shakes aggressively and causes you to temporarily…
Electrical
268 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, software, wiring.
Driving down road yesterday with no rain, completely dry and 89 degrees, all the sudden my Jeep makes a dinging noise and the service electronic stability control light comes on. I called dealership they said if it came back on or didn't go off to schedule an apt. I ask if safe to drive, response was I guess not sure…
Electronic sway bar disconnect is affected by water and becomes inoperable. Now the vehicle is unsafe to drive since this motor affects the front sway bar and vehicle stability and is not being covered under warranty do to water damage. This motor is visible from under the vehicle and in a location that is exposed to…
Other or unspecified
212 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles.
Drove into the gas station, put my Jeep in park, put the emergency break on, turned it off and proceeded to fill up the tank, I did not top the tank off, got back in my Jeep started it back up, engine started fine, released emergency break put Jeep in drive put foot on gas to proceed out of the gas station Jeep pulled…
Whith only 6,ooo miles on my Wrangler I noticed some slight shimmying while driving on the main roads then when I got on the expressway I had just reached about 65mph and my Jeep started shaking uncontrollably which forced me to pull over and call a tow truck. It took almost two months for the part to come in (…
Transmission
177 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 27,500 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly, automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission.
Start engine, place foot on brake pedal, put vehicle in reverse. Before even letting foot completely off of brake pedal engine begins to stutter and completely stalls out. Have to put vehicle back in park and start vehicle back up and start process all over again hoping that vehicles engine does not continue to stall.…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21v028000 (power train). The contact called the local dealer and stated they were not aware of the recall and disregarded the recall. The contact stated that in may 2021, while her husband was driving 40 MPH, he started…
Engine
102 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 15,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Was driving on the freeway with my wife and five yr old son when we heard a loud pop underneath our 2018 Jeep Wrangler and instantly saw a trail of smoke behind US. We immediately pulled over to find transmission guild gushing from underneath with tons of smoke as well. We were hoping the smoke was probably just from…
Began smelling coolant (sweet smell), although could not find leak. At 15,600 miles (may 2020), vehicle was brought to Jeep dlr for service. Found small cracks in the plastic portion of the radiator. Now, at 18,600, the sweet smell is back. Will need to take it back in to Jeep dlr again.
Body and structure
97 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members, interior panels.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact discovered several cracks in the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the frame was poorly welded and the metal is contaminated. The contact spoke with stoneridge chrysler Jeep dodge (2700 stoneridge dr, pleasanton, ca 94588, [phone]) and pleaded…
Many welds on the frame to include the track bar are extremely porous. If/when the track bar weld gives the vehicle will result in a total loss of steering. Making it a high risk for accident and injury.
Brakes
68 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, pedals and linkages, antilock.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed clock spring. The contact was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated driving 30-35 MPH, the ABS warning light, the check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The odometer became inoperable. The vehicle lost power steering functionality and shifted into…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Jeep Wrangler recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a center brake light that fails to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full 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."
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full 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."
Transmission: clutch assembly
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full 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.
Transmission: clutch assembly
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Fca US llc will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." fca has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of february 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 4, 2021.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US, llc) is recalling certain 2018-2021 jeep wrangler and 2020-2021 jeep gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Transmission: clutch assembly
Risk: The overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began april 30, 2020. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is w12.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2018-2020 jeep wrangler and 2020 gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Fca US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed november 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began march 26, 2020. Owners may contact fca customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca's number for this recall is va6.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2011-2018 jeep wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Equipment
Risk: If the roof top tent cover detaches from the vehicle while moving, it can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall began may 9, 2019. Owners may contact american fastbacks customer service at 1-844-533-7997 extension 301. Note: vehicles in this recall are also included in recall 19v-190.
Full defect summary
Erwin hymer group USA lp dba american fastbacks (ehgusa-af) is recalling certain 2018 jeep wrangler vehicles sold with a roof top tent installed. The top cover of the roof top tent may crack or break, possibly resulting in the cover detaching from the vehicle while moving.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the right rear passenger door opens unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the right rear door latch reinforcement, free of charge. The recall begin december 6, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is ub6.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2018 jeep wrangler four-door vehicles. The right rear passenger door latch may not be in the correct location, possibly preventing the door from latching properly.
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: An unexpected reduction in steering ability, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the track bar bracket welds, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin november 17, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is ua5.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2018-2019 jeep wrangler vehicles. The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability.
Electrical: front underhood
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full 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.
Steering
Risk: If the weld seam splits, the steering wheel may lose center positioning causing a loss of steering responsiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began june 21, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u48.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2018 jeep wrangler vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
Electrical: software
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2014-2018 dodge journey, charger and durango, ram 2500, 3500, 3500 cab chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 cab chassis and 5500 cab chassis, jeep cherokee and grand cherokee and chrysler 300, 2014-2019 ram 1500, 2015-2018 dodge challenger, 2015-2017 chrysler 200, 2016-2018 ram 3500 cab chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 chrysler pacifica and 2018 jeep wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'park' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began june 28, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u43.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2018 dodge charger, durango and challenger, jeep grand cherokee and wrangler, chrysler 300, and ram 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: If the floor pan strength is reduced and/or the rear seat mount becomes loose, the rear seat may detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, coat the interior and exterior of the driver's side rear underbody ladder rail with three-part rust protection. The recall began september 11, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u27.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2018 jeep wrangler vehicles. The rear under body ladder rail may corrode, possibly reducing the strength of the rear floor pan and causing the left rear seat mount to become loose.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Frame weld deficiencies
Summary
On september 16, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) granted defect petition dp18-004 and opened preliminary evaluation pe19-012 to investigate allegations of deficient frame welds and their potential safety related effects on 2018-2019 jeep wranglers. Due to a previous steering related recall that was caused by a misaligned weld on the front track bar (NHTSA recall no. 18v-675), odi decided to include reports of steering shimmy or wobble, loose steering, and steering stiction (loss of power steering) as part of this investigation and parent petition (dp18-004). Odi received information from the vehicle manufacturer fiat chrysler automobiles (fca) via information request letters
Seat belt buckle bracket failure
Summary
On july 17, 2019, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation (pe) 19-008 after receiving three vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports alleging the driver's side seat belt buckle separated from the seat frame, rendering the seat belt non-functional. The voqs involved model year (my) 2015 and 2016 jeep wrangler (jk platform) that were configured for right-hand drive (rhd) use. On august 8, 2019, odi issued an information request (ir) letter to fca.the scope of the ir included all jk wrangler produced for sale in the u.s. (both left- and right-hand drive), and amongst other things, requested any reports or allegations of driver's seat belt bracket failures on
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Frame weld deficiencies
Summary
In a letter received on october 24, 2018, a citizen petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into frame weld deficiencies on model year (my) 2018 'jl' jeep wrangler vehicles. The petitioner described a broad list of frame weld deficiencies, including porous welds, excessive slag, lack of weld penetration, over penetration of welds, overweld or weld drip, and weld splash. The weld defects are allegedly located at a variety of locations on the frame assembly.on november 16, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a defect petition (dp18-004) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. On march 8, 2019,
Questions about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (1,117 complaints, typically around 5,000 miles); suspension (343 complaints, typically around 7,500 miles); electrical (268 complaints, typically around 15,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have?
- 14 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 12, 2024 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Jeep Wrangler?
- It is the most complained-about Wrangler model year since 2000, with 1,827 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.