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Jeep

2018 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE has 1198 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 656. The most common issue is electrical problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: dash and radio shut off while driving on the freeway. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 15 fire reports filed.

15 fire reports 48 crash reports 24 injuries

1198

Total Complaints

11

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

338 complaints
28%
  • DASH AND RADIO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY
  • DISPLAY DASH SCREEN SHUTS OFF AND ON APPX EVERY 30 SECONDS, REBOOTS, AND OVERHEATS, DRIVING OR STATIONARY.
  • UNCONNECT SYSTEM IN MY 2018 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND TURNS OFF AND ON BY ITSELF EVER 60 SECONDS WHETHER YOU ARE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. I BELIEVE IT STARTED THIS MORNING OR LAST NIGHT. YOU CANNOT USE BLUETOOTH, THE HEAT OR THE RADIO. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LESS THAN
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 6 fire reports💥 5 crashes

DASH AND RADIO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Based on 406 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 19K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
238
30-60K
85
60-100K
72
100-150K
10
150-200K
1
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 29K mi · 84 reports
0-30K
45
30-60K
20
60-100K
17
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 57 reports
0-30K
37
30-60K
11
60-100K
9
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 50 reports
0-30K
29
30-60K
6
60-100K
11
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 45 reports
0-30K
27
30-60K
11
60-100K
7
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 37 reports
0-30K
14
30-60K
8
60-100K
13
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 28 reports
0-30K
22
30-60K
5
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (11)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION01/05/2018

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.

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.

Above-average theft risk

#23 most stolen in 2025

The Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE was the #23 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Popular SUV; parts and tuning demand

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,087
Per month
$174
Per mile
17.4¢
MPG
23
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,527/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,826
Full coverage / month
$152
Liability only / year
$626
vs US avg
+9%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.06x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1826

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
24K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
20K mi

4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2018 GRAND CHEROKEE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1198 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ELECTRICAL: DASH AND RADIO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: DISPLAY DASH SCREEN SHUTS OFF AND ON APPX EVERY 30 SECONDS, REBOOTS, AND OVERHEATS, DRIVING OR STATIONARY.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: I DROVE THIS VEHICLE TO WORK AND PARKED IT IN A PARKING STRUCTURE AT 8:00 IN THE MORNING. BY 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE SAT ALL DAY IN THE STRUCTURE. UNKNOWN AS TO WHY IT CAUGHT FIRE, BUT THE FIRE ORIGINATED SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TOOK

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: I HAVE A FEW OCCURRENCES TO TELL ABOUT. 1. WHEN TAKING IT THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH CAR WASH IT WAS PROPELLED FORWARD AT AN UNSAFE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL BUT STILL WAS SHOT FORWARD AND THE BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED QUICKLY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. 2. AFTER COMING OFF A FREEWAY AND COMING

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
1198
Recalls
11
Fire reports
15
Crash reports
48
Injury reports
24
Segment avg
656

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2018 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE