NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 22 recalls, 1777 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Steering complaints dominate the 2018 Jeep Wrangler's complaint record by a wide margin, with owners frequently describing a pronounced wobble or oscillation, commonly called "death wobble", where the front end shakes violently at highway speeds, often triggered by hitting a bump or expansion joint. Many describe the shimmy as severe enough to require pulling over, and several note it recurs even after front-end components have been replaced. Suspension complaints follow at a distance, with owners reporting worn or loose front-end components, track bars, tie rods, and control arm bushings, that they connect to the steering instability. Powertrain reports are less frequent but include a recurring "Service Shifter" fault that owners say triggers a cascade of warning codes, causes the engine to rev erratically, and temporarily disables power steering and anti-lock brakes simultaneously.
1,777
Total Complaints
21
Crash-Related
24
Fire-Related
13
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler has 22 recalls, the most serious involving steering failures where the front track bar bracket can separate from the frame or the steering shaft can lose its weld, either of which can sharply reduce steering control.
Several recalls affect manual transmission models with a 3.6L engine: the clutch pressure plate can overheat and fracture, potentially cracking or breaking the transmission case, shedding debris onto the road, and raising the risk of fire. Automatic transmission models have their own concern, as an incorrectly installed park lock rod can prevent the transmission from holding in Park, allowing the vehicle to roll. On the electrical side, a wiring issue in the engine bay can stall the vehicle, cruise control software can fail to deactivate and leave the vehicle holding or building speed, and the instrument panel cluster can fail entirely, blanking out the speedometer and warning lights. On some vehicles, a wiring harness serving the rearview camera and center brake light can short and disable both. Occupant safety issues include a rear underbody rail that can corrode and loosen the left rear seat mount, making the seat more likely to detach in a crash, and on right-hand-drive models, a seat belt buckle strap that can fracture and leave the driver without a functioning belt. A mispositioned rear door latch on four-door models can allow the right rear door to open unexpectedly. Separately, certain vehicles sold with an aftermarket roof top tent have a cover that can crack and detach while moving.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The wiring harness for the rearview camera and center brake light can short circuit, disabling the rearview camera image and center brake light.
What the fix does
Dealers replaced the wiring harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or spare tire carrier assembly as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cluster may develop an internal short circuit and stop working, causing the display to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cluster may stop working, preventing warning lights, indicators, and gauges from displaying. This affects only vehicles with a 3.5" cluster panel.
What the fix does
The instrument panel cluster will be replaced at a dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate can overheat and crack, potentially affecting manual transmission operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the transmission software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate can overheat and break under certain conditions, potentially cracking the transmission case and causing debris to fall from the vehicle.
What the fix does
The dealership will replace the clutch assembly and inspect and update instrument panel and engine control software if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate can overheat and break in certain conditions, potentially cracking or breaking the transmission case and causing debris to fall from the vehicle.
What the fix does
A software update at a dealer will reduce engine power if the clutch overheats, preventing the pressure plate from breaking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate may overheat and crack in certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wranglers and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiators with manual transmissions.
What the fix does
Dealers will install software that reduces engine torque when clutch temperatures rise to prevent damage to the pressure plate.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate can overheat and break in certain manual transmission vehicles. A broken pressure plate causes loss of power to the wheels and may crack the transmission case, allowing debris to fall from the vehicle.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect the clutch system, install a protective hose sleeve, reroute a wire harness, and replace components as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch pressure plate can overheat and crack in certain manual transmission vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will reroute a wire harness, inspect the clutch system, and replace any damaged components.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap can fracture and separate from the seat frame.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The liftgate glass may be missing the required marking that identifies its type, as mandated by Canadian regulations.
What the fix does
No recall action is needed. The manufacturer has updated production so all new vehicles have properly marked glass.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof top tent's cover may crack or break, potentially detaching from the vehicle while driving.
What the fix does
A fix is being developed. Contact American Fastbacks at 1-844-533-7997 ext. 301 for updates.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right rear passenger door latch may be positioned incorrectly, which could prevent the door from latching securely.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the right rear door latch reinforcement at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front track bar brackets may have improper welds that can fail, causing the bracket to separate from the frame and reduce steering capability.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the track bar bracket welds as needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front track bar bracket may have been improperly welded to the frame and could separate, reducing steering response and increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front track bar bracket welds and repair them as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A voltage regulator chip in the powertrain control module may fail, causing the engine to stall or not start.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the powertrain control module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering intermediate shaft may have been improperly manufactured and could fail, reducing steering response and increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The intermediate steering shaft may have an improper weld that causes it to split where the external spline is formed.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the intermediate steering shaft and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring short circuit can prevent cruise control from disengaging. When engaged, you may not be able to turn it off by braking or using manual controls, causing the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine or powertrain control module software at no cost to fix the cruise control disengagement issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission may have an incorrect park lock rod installed, which could affect the transmission's park function.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the correct park lock rod at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left rear under-body ladder rail may lack adequate corrosion protection, allowing premature rust. This can loosen the left rear seat mount or weaken the rear floor pan, increasing injury risk in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the under-body ladder rail and apply rust protection, or refer unrepairable cases for further FCA review.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear underbody ladder rail can corrode, weakening the rear floor pan and loosening the left rear seat mount.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the driver's side rear underbody ladder rail and apply three-part rust protection to its interior and exterior surfaces.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
