2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
853 NHTSA owner complaints · 11 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The WK2 Grand Cherokee (2011–2021) is a long-lived platform whose complaint record tells you which components Jeep fixed and when. The 2011–2012 years carry electrical complaints — the Totally Integrated Power Module, which controls fuel pump and lighting, was the subject of an investigation and a recall — along with the early Pentastar V6 cylinder-head issue. Read the full note on the model page. 2018 specifically: 853 complaints on record, score 54/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Jeep Cherokee 2014 to 2023: the nine-speed years and the years that fixed it, including 2018 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 853 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 106.62
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The Jeep was giving me a warning sign. It said stop slowly. Your jeep will shut off so I replaced the two batteries. As my Mechanic told me I replaced the alternator. I also replaced the ground wires. Nothing is making my jeep start. We ran the codes on the jeep and it came back as a U0100 code with the PCM system. No connection error. we looked up the recall information and a recall popped up for this 2018 jeep Gran…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that since the vehicle was purchased, there was an abnormally strong coolant odor coming from the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the coolant reservoir was recently refilled, and the odor might be due to an overflow. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where…
The transmission goes into neutral. It has gone into neutral on the highway,local streets, also from a stop. From a stop in drive the electronic D on the instrument panel starts flashing. I turn on the hazards put transmission shifter in Park and start engine. This problem is intermittent, it can be cold or hot, it has happened 4x in 2 years. No accidents thankfully. The engine does not stall, the transmission goes i…
Recalls: 11 campaigns (6 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 18V280000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 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. |
| 24V838000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may incorrectly illuminate the brake lights and disable the ABS and electronic stability control (ESC). |
| 23V411000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall. |
| 22V406000 | Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation. |
| 22V426000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may illuminate the brake lights, and allow the vehicle to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied. |
| 18V524000 | Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 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… |
| 18V048000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk vehicles equipped with a 6.2L Supercharged Engine. The fuel line may separate. |
| 20V699000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 21 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,950
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Electrical System339 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other267 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine123 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train75 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Service Brakes63 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
- Fuel/Propulsion System44 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Jeep Grand Cherokee years
Jeep Grand Cherokee years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (339 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 54/100, computed from 853 NHTSA complaints and 11 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee's most common problem?
339 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost to run per year?
About $6,765 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $33,828 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 6 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/05/2018. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 853 complaints, 11 recalls on record
- 853 NHTSA complaints on record (106.6/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (91.5/yr)
- 11 recall campaigns, 6 touching safety-critical systems