2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe electrical and infotainment problems: a delaminating center display that freezes, beeps, or works the radio and climate controls on its own, along with no-start and battery/start-stop warnings. A second large group of complaints concerns brake and shift behavior tied to the ABS module, including brake lights that stay on and the ability to shift out of Park without the brake pedal. Engine, transmission and fuel-system reports appear at lower mileage, with coolant leaks, stalling and transmission engagement faults recurring in the sample.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Delaminating infotainment screen (freezes, ghost touches)

   • 369 complaints (43%)
   • median 44,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (53 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,300 (median of 29 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the center display delaminating, then freezing, flickering, emitting a constant beep, or changing radio stations and phone calls on its own while driving. Several say the screen stays on the last image after the vehicle is shut off, and others report the backup camera or radio fails to come on. According to complaints, dealers often identified the display as needing replacement and described the delamination as a known problem, sometimes saying coverage applied only to the original owner. Reported from roughly 19,000 to 93,000 miles, often after a few years of use and recurring intermittently during driving.

   What to check: With the engine running, try every screen function and look closely at the edges of the display for bubbling, lifting film or a hazy border. Ask whether the display or radio head unit has been replaced, and get any extended coverage on the screen in writing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my entire radio screen freezes, can't control temperature or radio. This happens sporadically while I am driving sometimes every 2 minutes. It is very distracting and I am afraid it is going to cause a electrical fire. This can happen immediately after the car stops and the backup camera freezes or it can happen while the car is in motion driving. I have not contacted the dealership yet because 2 other vehicles I have are getting recalls repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11412998, filed 2021-04, 19,000 miles

   “Started out with having issues with the radio screen not coming on just the Jeep logo would show up. Then it progressed to the screen and radio would restart as I'm driving and occasionally would make a loud beeping noise out of nowhere. Went to start my car and all the lights across the dash would flash and change colors (from a blue to orange) and the car will not start. Now nothing works at all on the car and I can't get the car to start. Car is completely dead.”

   NHTSA complaint #11330860, filed 2020-06, 49,508 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS module faults: brake lights staying on, shifting

   • 284 complaints (33%)
   • median 22,000 mi at 2.0 yrs old (141 state mileage)
   • 41 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,650 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe ABS, traction control and 4WD warning lights coming on, brake lights that remain lit after the vehicle is turned off, and the ability to move the shifter out of Park without pressing the brake pedal. Some owners report the rear brakes locking up or pulsating without pedal input, and vehicles rolling after being placed in Park. Several mention that recall campaigns 22V426000 and 24V838000 cover the ABS module, but that parts were unavailable or the reprogramming did not resolve the symptom. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, with a few at lower mileage.

   Recall 24V838000Recall 22V426000

   What to check: Ask a dealer whether recalls 22V426000 and 24V838000 have been completed on the vehicle and confirm the ABS software is up to date. Check that the brake lights go out after the engine is off, and verify the shifter will not move from Park without the pedal pressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I backed out of my garage to run an errand, decided to run back into the house for a sweater. Put the car in park (it was still outside the garage facing the open garage door). Hopped out and went to go back into the house with the car door open. The Jeep started rolling forward. I jumped back in, put on the brake, tried to shut the door and it sped forward accelerating. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11318641, filed 2020-03, 21,000 miles

   “I pulled into my driveway and put the vehicle in park and as I got out it began rolling backwards. I tried to get turned around and back in or grab the emergency brake but the door knocked me down and the Jeep drove backwards about 150feet and hit a tree. 3weeks for repairs and I heard about the cherokee recall for transmission issues and this seems like what happened to me.”

   NHTSA complaint #11330083, filed 2020-06, 43,583 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalls, no-start and coolant or water pump leaks

   • 86 complaints (10%)
   • median 39,503 mi at 3.4 yrs old (44 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $8,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report the engine stalling or losing motive power while driving, sometimes with a clicking sound and no restart, and the start-stop warning light coming on. Others describe coolant leaking onto the ground, overheating with the check engine light, warped cylinder heads or head gaskets, and oil filter housings that warp or leak oil and smoke. Dealers according to complaints replaced throttle bodies, camshaft components, cylinder heads and water pumps. Spread from about 13,000 to over 120,000 miles, with several reports in the 80,000-100,000 mile range.

   Recall 23V4110005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the coolant level and look for residue around the water pump and radiator, check under the vehicle for oil or coolant after a drive, and ask for service records on the water pump, oil cooler lines and cylinder head work. Pay attention to any history of stalling or long cranking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later able to be restarted and taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a warped head gasket and an overheated radiator. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11576649, filed 2024-03, 85,599 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while taking driving from a stop, the vehicle briefly began to accelerate but then suddenly lost motive power. The contact was stuck in the middle of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an audible clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. The Engine STOP/START warning light was illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11621524, filed 2024-10, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Start-stop and battery charging warnings, no-start

   • 161 complaints (19%)
   • median 29,100 mi at 2.9 yrs old (52 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,300 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report the start-stop system unavailable light, battery charging messages and battery warning lamps, followed by a vehicle that will not restart. Some describe battery overcharging, dead displays with all gauges flashing, and exterior or interior lights behaving erratically. Dealers according to complaints sometimes reprogrammed modules or replaced battery sensor components, while other vehicles were not repaired. Reported from very low mileage up to about 90,000 miles, with several under 40,000 miles.

   Recall 18V5240004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the start-stop system works normally on a test drive and whether any battery charging or start-stop warnings have been addressed. A dealer can check the intelligent battery sensor software and scan for stored fault codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the battery overcharged while the vehicle was driven. The contact was also unable to cancel the cruise control function which caused the vehicle to independently accelerate on several occasions with the check engine warning light illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11315694, filed 2020-03, 29,000 miles

   “The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control) in November 2018. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11441932, filed 2021-11, 57,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission not engaging, stalls and shifter service

   • 138 complaints (16%)
   • median 16,400 mi at 1.8 yrs old (80 state mileage)
   • 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,700 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the transmission failing to engage when pulling away, the engine revving without movement, and messages such as 'service the shifter' or 'shift to P then desired gear' appearing with the check engine light. Some owners were told the electronic shift module or transmission control software needed attention, and others report vibration and repeated dealer visits without a duplicate of the fault. A service bulletin addresses transmission warning lights with stored fault codes. Typically between about 20,000 and 45,000 miles, often noticed when starting out or at low speeds.

   Recall 18V2800004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from a stop several times and note any hesitation or delayed engagement, and confirm reverse engages promptly. Ask whether the transmission control module has been flashed and whether any 'service shifter' messages have been recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car would not shift out of park and check engine light came on at same time. I was parked in the post office parking lot and this happened when I started it. Had it towed to dealer. I am told I need a new electronic shift module that is not covered under the power train warranty as FCA does not consider it part of the power train.”

   NHTSA complaint #11339156, filed 2020-07, 38,900 miles

   “Here are times when I have pulled out (with various people in the car) most recently my 13 year-old-son, who was screaming, dad what are you doing, we are about to be hit, and the car has completely shut down. (no interior lights, or running engine) quick thinking saved us from a major disaster. We were almost t-boned last week because of this problem. This would not be the first time for this problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11329169, filed 2020-06, 27,500 miles

Buying note. Check the recall status for the ABS module campaigns and confirm any software updates were actually applied, since owners report symptoms persisting afterward. Before buying, spend time with the infotainment screen and test the start-stop, brake light and shifter behavior directly.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.