2018 Jeep Cherokee: Problems & Reliability
SOLID2018 Jeep Cherokee: SOLID — 690 owner complaints (2.88 per 1,000 sold), a typical complaint rate for ~8 years on the road; top issue: powertrain / transmission (297 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.09, where 1.00 is a typical Cherokee year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25). Severity drives it: 69% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel). The raw count looks high, but the 2018 has had about 8 years on the road to collect complaints; per year on the road it is in line with or better than the rest of the Cherokee.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, published U.S. sales, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2016–2027 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
690
NHTSA complaints
2.88
Complaints per 1,000 sold
208
Service bulletins
7
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2018 Jeep Cherokee problems
Powertrain / transmission is the clear leader, named in 43% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2018 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 297 | 43% |
| Electrical system | 190 | 28% |
| Unknown or other | 175 | 25% |
| Engine | 155 | 22% |
| Service brakes | 36 | 5% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2018 Jeep Cherokee recalls
7 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018, reported between Aug 31, 2017 and Jan 16, 2025.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V011000 | Jan 16, 2025 | Powertrain / transmission |
| 18V524000 | Aug 9, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood |
| 18V494000 | Jul 26, 2018 | Powertrain / transmission › Axle assembly › Axle shaft |
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring |
| 18V282000 | May 1, 2018 | Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings |
| 17V670000 | Oct 24, 2017 | Engine & cooling › Engine |
| 17V543000 | Aug 31, 2017 | Equipment › Other › Labels |
2018 Jeep Cherokee service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 208 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2018 — close to the 188 of the median Cherokee year from 2016 to 2027. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (69), structure (37), powertrain / transmission (32). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2018 vs. the year before and after
From the 2017 to the 2018, owner complaints fell 48% (1,339 → 690) — an improvement. The 2019 that followed jumped 2.3× (690 → 1,581), so the 2018 is the cleaner of the two by count.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Cherokee | CAUTION | 1,339 | 254 | 6 | — |
| 2018 (this page) | SOLID | 690 | 208 | 7 | — |
| 2019 Cherokee | AVOID | 1,581 | 404 | 11 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Jeep Cherokee years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2018 Jeep Cherokee
Powertrain / transmission (297 complaints on the 2018): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Electrical system (190 complaints on the 2018): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Engine (155 complaints on the 2018): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Service brakes (36 complaints on the 2018): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Steering (30 complaints on the 2018): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Recalls: confirm all 7 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2018 Jeep Cherokee — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2018 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
2018 Jeep Cherokee: SOLID — 690 owner complaints (2.88 per 1,000 sold), a typical complaint rate for ~8 years on the road; top issue: powertrain / transmission (297 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.09, where 1.00 is a typical Cherokee year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25).
What are the most common 2018 Jeep Cherokee problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee are powertrain / transmission (297, 43%), electrical system (190, 28%), unknown or other (175, 25%). The manufacturer has 208 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee have?
7 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, most recently 25V011000 (Jan 16, 2025, powertrain / transmission); 18V524000 (Aug 9, 2018, electrical system); 18V494000 (Jul 26, 2018, powertrain / transmission). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2018 Jeep Cherokee before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the per-1,000 rate divides complaints by published U.S. 2018 calendar-year sales; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.