2018 Jeep Cherokee Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 296about this part
- Share
- 43%of 688 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 296 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, 43% of the 688 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My service shift lights up on dash and all the lights for p,r,n,d all light up. This needs a recall I have read hundreds of issues with this and some are getting attorneys. This needs to be recalled my Jeep only has 48000 miles. And if I'm seriously injured I'll be suing also. You can't let this continue these dealerships needs to handle this as a recall!”
NHTSA complaint #11326715, filed 2020-05, 48,000 miles“My car lost all power while in motion in the middle of a city street intersection with a shifter error code. Would now accelerate, and the steering wheel locked. Turned off and back on and did it instantly again. Called the dealership and was told it needed an oil change. I just purchased this vehicle 2 months ago.”
NHTSA complaint #11329794, filed 2020-06, 19,300 miles“While I was driving down i95 - the gearshift froze up and the entire gearshaft turned red. I was unable to shift gears until I was able to slow down / come to a stop on the side of an exit road. This has happened a total of two times on separate occasions - once three months after the dealership claimed they fixed the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11196406, filed 2019-04, 18,000 miles“While driving and sometimes when turning my car on and putting it in gear all the lights on the gear shifter will come on and it will read a message on the dash service gear shifter . I will have to come to a stop, put it in park, and shut it off and turn it back on before the message will go away and the lights will go off.”
NHTSA complaint #11286634, filed 2019-12, 25,000 miles“While driving my dash will suddenly state service shifter and all my gear shifter lights will be lit up. The only way I get them off is I have to pull over, stop, turn vehicle off, and restart it. This has happen in town and on the highway. This has happened now several times over approximately 4 months now. The first time being when I got my first oil change.”
NHTSA complaint #11129089, filed 2018-09, 14,186 milesRelated recalls
- 25V011000Jan 16, 2025Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission…Covers: Jeep Cherokee 2017–2019
- 18V494000Jul 26, 2018Chrysler (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…Covers: Jeep Cherokee 2018
Related service bulletins
- 11035038Jul 9, 2026Unable to Complete 01C Recall Drive Cycle C14A7-97 Active Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● After performing Recall 01C, the vehicle may get a 'Service AWD'…
- 11031328Apr 11, 2026Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble…
- 11031348Apr 8, 2026(XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 11031347Apr 8, 2026(XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 11031346Apr 8, 2026(XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 11031345Apr 8, 2026(XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 11031344Apr 8, 2026ID-26-19 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 11031343Apr 8, 2026D-26-10 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 11031327Apr 8, 2026Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble…
- 11026812Dec 19, 2025Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2022 | 29 | 56% |
| 2021 | 104 | 59% |
| 2020 | 199 | 60% |
| 2019 | 833 | 50% |
| 2018 | 296 | 43% |
| 2017 | 650 | 49% |
| 2016 | 636 | 45% |
| 2015 | 1,007 | 56% |
| 2014 | 1,471 | 56% |
| 2006 | 2 | 12% |
| 2001 | 24 | 10% |
| 2000 | 29 | 8% |
| 1999 | 53 | 14% |
| 1998 | 65 | 16% |
| 1997 | 47 | 12% |
| 1996 | 60 | 13% |
| 1995 | 43 | 7% |
| 1994 | 38 | 7% |
| 1993 | 44 | 11% |
| 1992 | 15 | 13% |
| 1991 | 13 | 6% |
| 1990 | 17 | 6% |
| 1989 | 9 | 5% |
| 1988 | 8 | 8% |
| 1987 | 4 | 7% |
| 1985 | 2 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2018 Jeep Cherokee
190 complaintsOther or unknown
174 complaintsEngine
155 complaintsBrakes
38 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsElectronic stability control
15 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology