AI Damage2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee filed 855 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 407 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 855
- involving a crash
- 42
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 407
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 40% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 15% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 5% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 339 complaints (40% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 116.
- Engine: 125 complaints (15% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
- Powertrain: 75 complaints (9% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 42.
- Service brakes: 62 complaints (7% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 44 complaints (5% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 7 complaints
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 6.2 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- 6.4 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3 L · diesel · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 22 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 855 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 339 | 5 | 116 |
| Engine | 125 | 6 | 38 |
| Powertrain | 75 | 7 | 42 |
| Service brakes | 62 | 10 | 14 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 44 | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 43 | 0 | 19 |
| Vehicle speed control | 38 | 11 | 2 |
| Air bags | 24 | 10 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 22 | 0 | 15 |
| Fuel system | 19 | 0 | 24 |
| Engine and cooling | 17 | 0 | 53 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 17 | 5 | 0 |
| Structure | 16 | 1 | 32 |
| Suspension | 16 | 0 | 11 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive; the driver sustained injuries to the head and lower back, and medical attention was provided. The air bags did not deploy. There was no reported fire or police report filed.
Air Bags Failed to Deploy During An Accident Vehicle Hit A Tree No Warning Lamps Prior To Accident Vehicle Towed Due To Damage Vehicle Deemed Totaled By Insurance Company
Brakes failed when attempting to slow down, ABS kicked in on dry blacktop with no lights on dash before locking up and throwing the vehicle off of the road. Caused me to wreck into a tree head on at 50 mph. Seatbelt did not lock up and airbags did not deploy.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the vehicle inadvertently rolled forward, hitting a concrete parking block, which damaged the front bumper. No injury was sustained. No police report was filed.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags deployed. The contact stated that the forward collision automatic braking system failed to engage. The contact sustained back pain. The contact also sustained trauma and had been seeking assistance from a therapist.
Yesterday, I was put in a EXTREMELY unsafe situation with my vehicle where the UConnect screen turned off my blind spot detection. I was unaware until I attempted to merge into another lane and hit another car!!!
The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact hit her head and her left leg on the steering wheel. The other driver was treated at the scene for unknown injuries. The contact sought medical attention at the hospital; no injuries were treated. A police report was filed.
My car slipped into reverse and rolled down my lawn across a busy street and hit a tree. The emergency braking system did not engage. I was able to drive the car back to where it was parked. I then tested to see if I could have accidentally put the car in reverse when I got out it.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 47 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 2% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Grand Cherokee has 292 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 855, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward…
The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement. The Tech May Find Damaged and/or Worn Transmission Output Shaft Splines (850RE…
- Qudra Lift Reman Compressor Excessive Repairs on Quadra Lift Reman Compressors Part Numbers
68041137AF / R8572790AA / 68087233AA / 52124932AE / 52124934AE / 68064343AC Purpose The Star Parts Catalog has been updated to support component-level repair of the Quadra-Lift air suspension system. Replace only the…
- EVAPORATOR - AIR CONDITIONING
- Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
- Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot
Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
- Power Liftgate Inoperative
- The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following…
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may…
- Active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00, B1A15-00,…
Active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00, B1A15-00, B1A16-00, and B1A17-00 in The Radio Frequency Hub (RFH)
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning…
- Service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV…
Service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV transmissions that have fault codes P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
- Water Pump & Chain Case Cover
- Flash
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● P0420…
NHTSA lists 407 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
- Grand Cherokee 2016586 sources
- Grand Cherokee 2017621 sources
- Grand Cherokee 2019849 sources
- Grand Cherokee 2020768 sources
- Grand Cherokee 20211,736 sources
- Grand Cherokee 2022820 sources
- Grand Cherokee 20231,232 sources
- Grand Cherokee 2024799 sources
- Grand Cherokee 2025475 sources
- Grand Cherokee 2026262 sources
- Grand Cherokee 202732 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 855. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (45%), warning lights, check engine (14%), A/C or heater (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA lists 407 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.