The Lemon Index2018 Jeep Wrangler.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 1,270 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 523, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 14 recalls, and it gets 18 mpg combined. The best Jeep Wrangler year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2007–2018 Jeep Wrangler (JK), 30.1M views. The 2018 is the same Jeep.
What owners say it costs
- Other repairs (parts or shop quote)$3008 videos · most $50–$1,000Hear it ▶
- Transmission$1,4004 videos · most $280–$2,000Hear it ▶
- Tires$3,0002 videos · most $2,000–$4,000Hear it ▶
Dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos (median, so one wild number can't swing it). Not verified sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Most-watched topics
- Death wobble & steering4.3M views
JK 2.5 Ton Steering Kit Install (07-18) — Core 4x4CORE 4X4 · 2.7M views · 10 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door1.2M views
Jeep NO HEAT Fast Pinpoint / Fix Wrangler JK Temperature Blend door actuatorNoNonsenseKnowHow · 592K views · 4 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets935K views
Jeep Wrangler JK JKU - Oil Cooler Filter Housing Replacement 3.6L Pentastar Doorman 926-876ATEM OFFROAD · 231K views · 7 videos - Cooling system594K views
How to change the coolant in your JK. DIY Jeep Coolant FlushJK Jeep · 154K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors508K views
Jeep JK First 5 Mods | Top 5 Mods For Your Wrangler JK - Throttle OutExtremeTerrain Jeep · 508K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4433K views
How To Run 40" Tires on Stock JK Axles; Ultimate JK Axle BuildBig Tire Garage · 175K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS420K views
How to fix ABS & Traction Control Light Jeep Wrangler JK | Wrangler ABS & Traction Control Light OnThe Odyssey · 223K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors420K views
DIY DOOR HANGER for Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Trucks - Works for JL / JT and JK too!Wayalife · 205K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Jeep Wrangler JK SUV 3rd Generation 2007-20181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 1.3M views
How Reliable Is a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon After 50,000 miles? Long-Term 2018 Wrangler ReviewEdmunds Cars · 820K views
2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler JK Comprehensive Buyer's GuideThe Fast Lane Car · 685K 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 1,827 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Wrangler 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 1K to 15K miles on the car (1,200 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 0K–12K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 3K–15K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 2K–48K miles
Recalls 14
- back over prevention 2024
The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light.
- electrical 2024
The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail.
- transmission & drivetrain 2023
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Show all 14 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2021
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- seat belts 2019
The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
- equipment 2019
The top cover of the roof top tent may crack or break, possibly resulting in the cover detaching from the vehicle while moving.
- latches/locks/linkages 2018
The right rear passenger door latch may not be in the correct location, possibly preventing the door from latching properly.
- body structure 2018
The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability.
- 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.
- steering 2018
The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
- 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.
- body structure 2018
The rear under body ladder rail may corrode, possibly reducing the strength of the rear floor pan and causing the left rear seat mount to become loose.
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 717 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts…
- Stop Start Inoperative, Auxiliary Battery Low Requires Charging, No Start
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
- ClosedSeat belt buckle bracket failure2019
- ClosedFrame weld deficiencies2019–2023
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 Wrangler 2 DR 4WD Later Release | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Jeep Wrangler JK 2 DR 4WD Early release | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
I experienced rapid steering oscillation this last thursday 10/17/19 on my
2018 Jeep Wrangler owner · NHTSA complaint 11269778
More owner reports
When I hit a bump at highway speeds the steering shakes violently. Death wobble. Dealership says parts to fix are ordered but will not be in for another month.
NHTSA complaint 11153976
Steering locked up while driving. Issue happened twice and the dealer stated they fixed it. Issue still persists
NHTSA complaint 11288615
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 5.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 523; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Wrangler year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2018 Jeep Wrangler problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (73%), suspension (22%) and electrical (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have?
14 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Wrangler problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 1,100 and 15,700 miles. The middle report was at 6,200 miles, from 1,200 complaints.
Does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Wrangler year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2017 and 2011.
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