2018 Jeep WRANGLER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,815 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
6,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,199 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1,113 of 1,815 complaints (61.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1,000 | 55.1% |
| Braking behavior | 178 | 9.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 114 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 99 | 5.5% |
| Engine operation | 43 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 0.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 1113 |
| Suspension | 341 |
| Electrical System | 259 |
| Unknown Or Other | 210 |
| Power Train | 167 |
| Engine | 98 |
| Structure:Body | 90 |
| Wheels | 61 |
Steering: 1,113; Suspension: 341; Electrical System: 259; Unknown Or Other: 210; Power Train: 167; Engine: 98; Structure:Body: 90; Wheels: 61
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1010 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 121 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 39 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1,010; 25,000 to 49,999: 121; 50,000 to 74,999: 39; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1,010). 616 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 463 |
| 2019 | 524 |
| 2020 | 165 |
| 2021 | 118 |
| 2022 | 127 |
| 2023 | 135 |
| 2024 | 93 |
| 2025 | 112 |
| 2026 | 78 |
2018: 463; 2019: 524; 2020: 165; 2021: 118; 2022: 127; 2023: 135; 2024: 93; 2025: 112; 2026: 78
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1,000 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 178 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 114 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11083434 · 2018-04-05 (April 5, 2018)
IN MOTION OVER 45MPH, THE JEEP WILL SUDDENLY EXPERIENCE A STEERING WOBBLE THAT CAUSES ALMOST COMPLETE LACK OF CONTROL. TO FIX THE ISSUE, SPEED MUST BE DECREASED TO <10MPH WHICH CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DUE TO TRAFFIC AND HIGH SPEEDS. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. PROBLEM IS REPRODUCIBLE ON ALL ROADS AND IN ALL CONDITIONS. I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT THE DRIVER IS LEFT WITH 10% CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND LEFT IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11083434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11083854 · 2018-04-08 (April 8, 2018)
AS I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED THAT FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE JEEP. I MERGED TWO LANES OVER TO TRY TO TURN ON A SIDE STREET AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I PUT THE JEEP IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WE RAN UP A NEAR BY HILL, TURNED AROUND AND THE ENTIRE JEEP WAS ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. IT BURNED FOR AN HOUR. IT IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *TT *DT*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 735 miles reported. Look up ODI 11083854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11089322 · 2018-04-22 (April 22, 2018)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS STUCK ON DESPITE CONTROLS SET TO OFF POSITION. NO TURN SIGNALS OR HIGH BEAMS EITHER. HAD TO PULL THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FUSE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE HOME. TRIED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND STEP ON THE BRAKE, THEN LEAVE IT DISCONNECTED FOR 20 MINUTES, BUT THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. VEHICLE IS NEW, ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. COMPLETELY STOCK, NO MODIFICATIONS. *TT *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11089322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11094138 · 2018-05-16 (May 16, 2018)
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: BOUGHT A 2018 JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON ON 14 MAY 2018. ON 15 MAY 2018, I BROUGHT IT TO THE CAR WASH. AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE CAR WASH ONTO TO ADJACENT ROAD, VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY INTERACTION FROM MYSELF. I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV THE ENGINE AS I RELEASED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I CONTINUED TO TAP AND THEM SLAM THE BRAKES TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A HALT. ON THE VEHICLE SCREEN, IT INDICATED SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE REQUIRES SERVICE" AND H…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11094138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11092774 · 2018-05-09 (May 9, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ONE WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION AND THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHAMPION CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE DEALER (9655 FIRESTONE BLVD, DOWNEY, CA 90241, [phone removed]) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE MODULE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11092774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11093877 · 2018-05-15 (May 15, 2018)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO A GEAR. I TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO GET INTRO GEAR, AND ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, IT WOULD NOT GET OUT OF 6TH GEAR, BROUGHT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID TRANSMISSION NEEDED A RE FLASH, AND IT WAS GOOD, NEXT DAY IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, I SHIFTED TRANSFER CASE FROM 2H TO 4H BACK TO 2H AND ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION AND AM WAITING FOR COMPLETION. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND AM LOOKING FOR A BUY BAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11093877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119322 · 2018-08-11 (August 11, 2018)
VEHICLE STALLED IN HIGHWAY, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC FOR NO REASON AND WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO RESTART. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE RADIO AND BACKUP CAMERA WENT OUT AND CAME BACK AN HOUR OR SO LATER. THE RADIO, WHICH CONTROLS ALL ELECTRONICS AND BACKUP CAMERA, WENT OUT AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED SOME SORT OF INTERFACE FOR THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (RADIO) ON 07/30/18. THEN VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN IN HIGHWAY, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON 08/03/2018 AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RESTART. THEN, ON 08/09/2018, A BATTERY CHARGE WARNING CAME ON AND THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11112077 · 2018-07-18 (July 18, 2018)
CONSTANT STALLING A ANY SPEEDS DEALERS CANNOT FIX PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11112077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11113413 · 2018-07-24 (July 24, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP WRANGLER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL AND PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE 'UNTIL YOU REACH A DESIRED LOCATION YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT AGAIN UNTIL SERVICED' WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (STRAUB CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 1502 WHEELING AVE, GLEN DALE, WV 26038, [phone removed]), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 831.
Owner-reported narrative. 831 miles reported. Look up ODI 11113413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11104841 · 2018-06-30 (June 30, 2018)
CAR LEAKING FUEL THE CAR TURNED OF WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT (~15MPH). I PUT IT PARK AND STARTED IT AGAIN, NO PROBLEM. AS I APPROACHED THE NEXT STOP LIGHT, IT TURNED OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME IT TOOK CRANKED FOR ABOUT 4 SECONDS BEFORE STARTING. I HEADED TOWARDS THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND THE CAR STARTED HESITATING. WHEN I PULLED IN I FOUND THAT IT WAS LEAKING GAS FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE ABOVE THE GAS TANK. IT PUDDLED UP BEHIND THE PASSENGER REAR OF THE VEHICLE. GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FROM THERE. - NO GAS LEAKED WHERE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY P…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11104841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11129218 · 2018-09-12 (September 12, 2018)
2018 JEEP JL UNLIMITED 3.6L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, 750 TOTAL MILES. ON 9/12/2018, TRANSMISSION FAILED AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (MCKAY'S DODGE/JEEP, WAITE PARK, MN). WHEN VEHICLE WAS LOWERED BY TOW TRUCK, ABOUT 1 LITER OF GASOLINE POURED DOWN OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ON THE RIGHT REAR (PASSENGER) AND ONTO THE SERVICE BAY FLOOR. THE VEHICLE HAD A NEARLY FULL GAS TANK AT THE TIME OF THE TOW. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE GASOLINE HAD DUMPED AS MUCH VOLUME ONTO THE MUFFLER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM...BOTH THE VEHICLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 780 miles reported. Look up ODI 11129218 at NHTSA ↗