The Lemon IndexAll cars · Jeep Grand Cherokee
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee is worse than average by owner complaints: 278 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 120, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 13 to 25 mpg combined. The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2011–2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 21.5M views. The 2018 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.2M views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Battery Replacement - 2011-2022LJs Garage · 634K views · 11 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring2.2M views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Headlight Bulb Replacement (2011-2019)Inspiring Builds · 893K views · 5 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x41.2M views
Shifting The Transfer Case In and Out of Neutral On a 2018 Jeep Grand CherokeeBusMaster99 · 264K views · 10 videos - Transmission & shifter578K views
How to Use Transmission Oil Dipstick 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 218K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door439K views
How to Replace HVAC Blend Door Actuator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 127K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils392K views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Spark Plug Replacement | 2018 WK2 3.6LOutJeeping · 211K views · 2 videos - Cooling system285K views
How to Replace Radiator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 195K views · 2 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets207K views
How to Replace Oil Filter Housing and Cooler 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 207K views
Before you buy, watch
Jeep Grand Cherokee Common Problems - 2011-2022 WK2Kurt of Trades · 497K views
Top 5 Problems Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2021 4th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 472K views
Is The Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 2014-2021 Reliable?! What You Need To Know! 3.6 V6, 4WD, OverlandLJs Garage · 290K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 855 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 57K miles on the car (266 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 5K–51K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 4K–42K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 4K–41K miles
Recalls 11
- brakes 2024
A malfunction in the antilock-brake system (ABS) module may incorrectly illuminate the brake lights and disable the ABS and electronic stability control (ESC).
- engine 2023
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.
- fuel system, diesel 2022
A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Show all 11 recalls
- brakes 2022
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.
- engine 2020
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system.
- equipment 2018
The driver's floor mat may have insufficient clearance between the mat and the accelerator pedal, possibly preventing the pedal from returning to the idle position.
- equipment 2018
These floor mats may have insufficient clearance between the mat and the accelerator pedal, possibly inhibiting the pedal from returning to an idle position.
- electrical 2018
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.
- electrical 2018
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The fuel line may separate.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 447 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ACTUATOR, A/C and Heater Before replacing HVAC actuator, please contact either Thomas Conway…
- CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminates, Recent PCM Replace Or Flash Update Performed, DTC P057B…
- Battery Vent Tube Does Not Align With Some New Battery Installations
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–6150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Uconnect message came up stating that my engine light came on when all actuality it was not, however, I noticed my vents blowing out cool air when I had on the heat. My car was in motion I was driving down a city street.
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 11089195
More owner reports
Infotainment system freezes and shuts off on its own when driving. System does its own reboot and can become non functional
NHTSA complaint 11423353
Evaporative emission system incorrect purge flow for a predetermined period of time. Engine light is on. Brought car new.
NHTSA complaint 11317501
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 120; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (38%), engine (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
11 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?
13 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,200 and 57,000 miles. The middle report was at 24,500 miles, from 266 complaints.
Does the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $6150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
What Jeep Grand Cherokee year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works