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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is associated with 682 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 7 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 200 reports (29% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 17 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 3.6l 6-cyl, 6.4l 8-cyl, 6.2l 8-cyl, 2.4l 4-cyl, 3.2l 6-cyl, and 5.7l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 13 to 25 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 682 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 7 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (200 / 29%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 11 crash / 5 fire / 3 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 4 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 13–25 MPG across 17 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Grand Cherokee 2WD Diesel 3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 22 MPG 30 MPG 25 MPG — $3,200 / yr
Grand Cherokee 2WD 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 19 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Grand Cherokee SRT 4WD 6.4L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 13 MPG 19 MPG 15 MPG — $5,050 / yr
Grand Cherokee TrackHawk 4WD 6.2L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 11 MPG 17 MPG 13 MPG — $5,850 / yr
Cherokee FWD 2.4L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 30 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Cherokee FWD 2.4L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 30 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Cherokee FWD 3.2L 6-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 29 MPG 24 MPG — $2,900 / yr
Grand Cherokee 4WD Diesel 3L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 21 MPG 28 MPG 24 MPG — $3,300 / yr
Cherokee 4WD 2.4L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 28 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Cherokee 4WD 2.4L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 28 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Cherokee 4WD 3.2L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $3,050 / yr
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II 2.4L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD 2.4L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 19 MPG 25 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II 3.2L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 18 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $3,350 / yr
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD 3.2L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 18 MPG 24 MPG 21 MPG — $3,350 / yr
Grand Cherokee 4WD 3.6L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 18 MPG 25 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Grand Cherokee 4WD 5.7L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 14 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
SUV 2WD 17.4%
SUV 4WD 16.900000000000002%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Jeep Cherokee models.
View complete 2018 Jeep Cherokee crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Summary of 682 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
682
Crash Reports
11
Fire Reports
5
Complaints w/ Injury
3
Total Injuries
7

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 200 complaints (1 crash)
Engine 65 complaints
Electrical System 58 complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 23 complaints
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2018 Jeep Cherokee problems & component breakdown (94 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #25V011000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
NHTSA Campaign #18V524000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Defect Summary: 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 vehicles. 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.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
NHTSA Campaign #18V494000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U78.
View all 2018 Jeep Cherokee recalls & campaign history (7 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2018 Jeep Cherokee

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee

How many safety recalls does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee have?

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is associated with 7 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 7 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

NHTSA records list 682 consumer defect complaints for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 200 filings (29% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2018 Jeep Cherokee defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2018 Jeep Cherokee earned an Overall Safety Rating of 4 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee range from 13 to 25 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.