2018 Jeep Cherokee
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 292 of 683 complaints (43%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 1,333 in 2017 to 683 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–2,850 | 2,500–3,400 | 2,500–3,400 | 2,400–2,950 | 2,400–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–25 | 21–25 | 21–25 | 21–26 | 21–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 25–30 | 18–21 / 24–30 | 18–21 / 24–30 | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 361–414 | 361–432 | 361–432 | 345–432 | 345–432 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,406 | 1,333 | 683 | 1,631 | 292 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 37 | 24 | 11 | 40 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 27 | 27 | 7 | 37 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 292 of 683 NHTSA complaints (43%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee get?
EPA rates it 21–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
EPA estimates $2,500–$3,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 361 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 361 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,000 | 377 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 378 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 378 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,100 | 388 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 385 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $3,400 (high) | 416 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 412 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel Drive | Midgrade | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,400 (high) | 432 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 159 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 292 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 190 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 52 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 19 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 174 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
POWER TRAIN · Campaign 25V011000 · Jan 16, 2025
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · Campaign 18V524000 · Aug 14, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · Campaign 18V494000 · Aug 1, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 18V332000 · May 22, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 18V282000 · May 4, 2018
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine. These vehicles may have been manufactured with a fuel tube that may leak fuel into the engine compartment.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 17V670000 · Oct 25, 2017
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
Consequence: If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
WHEELS:RIM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 17V543000 · Sep 5, 2017
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The tire and rim size information required to be on the Certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.