2018 Jeep Wrangler: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 1,750 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, electrical, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018- Owner complaints
- 1,750
- Recalls
- 14
- Crashes reported
- 23
- 13 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Jeep Wrangler: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Wrangler is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 4WD | 18 mpg |
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Wrangler that averages well under the EPA 18 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Manual clutch failure and fire
1,500–19,000 miles
Death wobble after bumps
2,600–13,000 miles
Radiator and reservoir coolant leaks
5,800–18,600 miles
Intermittent no-start
10,000–22,000 miles
Door hinge and weld corrosion
14,000–15,000 miles
Instrument cluster goes dark
29,481–38,488 miles
Camshaft and lifter wear
42,609–85,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Steering1,10010 crashes
Without warning, the wheel can go heavy or stop responding, often right after the check engine, service shifter, or power steering light comes on. Other reports describe the wheel locking mid-turn or seizing at highway speed. Some cars have so much free play that the Jeep wanders in its lane, either from new or after steering recall work. A violent front-end shake above 60 mph after bumps is also common. This category includes 10 crash reports and 3 injuries. Several drivers say dealers called the car fixed and then the problem came back.
Electrical1442 crashes
Wiring near the fuse box and battery can smoke and burn. There are 4 fire reports, covering Jeeps that were parked and Jeeps that were moving. Rear defroster wires reportedly scorch and shatter the back glass. The instrument cluster goes dark or freezes on the wrong gear, and replacement clusters are often backordered. A delaminating Uconnect screen changes stations and settings on its own, and in some cases dials 911. Intermittent no-starts that clear after about 15 minutes show up at low mileage, and dealers often cannot reproduce them.
Transmission131No crashes
Manual-transmission clutches overheat and break apart. Some blow through the bell housing, rupture fuel lines, and set the Jeep on fire. Warning signs include a burnt smell, a clutch pedal that drops to the floor, and RPMs flaring between shifts. This category has 12 fire reports. Several failures happened after the clutch recall work was already done, or while a clutch recall was still open. Many occurred within the first 15K miles. A separate pattern is a shutdown warning followed by loss of engine power, power steering, and power brakes.
Suspension721 crash
The front end goes into a violent shake, widely called death wobble, after a bump, pothole, or bridge joint at 50 to 70 mph. The steering wheel and the whole vehicle oscillate until the driver slows sharply, sometimes to 35 mph or less. Reports come from unmodified Jeeps, some with as few as 27 miles. The shake often returns after the steering damper recall or a stabilizer replacement, and dealers frequently find nothing wrong. One crash report describes a sudden hard pull to the right.
Body and structure60No crashes
Door hinges, door bottoms, spot welds, and frame welds rust early, and paint bubbles on the doors and hood. Some reports describe rusted frame welds on brand-new Jeeps. Owners cite service bulletins on the problem but say dealers and Jeep turn down goodwill repairs. Roof complaints follow: soft-top latches shear off at highway speed, and a rear soft-top window separates and leaks. The category's 1 injury came from a sharp, unfinished Freedom Top panel edge.
Engine371 crash
The 3.6L V6 develops ticking, rough running, and misfires, with codes such as P0300 and P0304. Shops trace these to worn camshafts, lifters, and rocker arms. Failures appear as early as 42,609 miles, repair quotes run into the thousands, and replacement camshafts are backordered. Coolant loss is a second pattern, including cracked radiator plastic, a cracked coolant reservoir, suspected head gasket failure, and an antifreeze smell from the vents. Plastic oil coolers leak and can drain the engine without triggering a low-oil warning.
Wipers and visibility28No crashes
Sun visors fall out of their ceiling mounts while driving. They drop into the driver's view or hang by their wiring. Both sides fail, often more than once, and repairs after the warranty ends come out of the owner's pocket. Windshields crack easily, including from a small rock chip and while the defroster runs. Rear defroster cables are reported smoking and shattering the tailgate glass. Other complaints cover wipers that stay dead after new parts and a defroster that clears only the center of the windshield.
Brakes243 crashes
ABS modules fail, bringing on ABS and brake warning lights, a soft pedal, or sliding stops. The replacement part is on national backorder, and some owners report waiting close to a year or longer. Front calipers stick, overheat, and smoke, which makes the Jeep shake or drift. The 3 crash reports describe brakes that would not stop the car, including a failed vacuum booster at 2000 miles. Dealers often find no fault.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Wrangler owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The jeep had a p2138 code which is pedal sensor bad and p2127 took to black dodge jeep they found it bad replaced with OEM part 800 mi later p2138 code is back on and takes off on it's own
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
My 2018 wrangler accelerates when not on the gas pedal, and both the engine light and electronic throttle light comes on. My Jeep has been to the dealer 4 times for this issue and it still goes unfixed. It has been to an independent service center once, and they diagnosed the PCM (powertrain control module) as failing. This issue is very dangerous for myself and anyone else on the road as my jeep will accelerate at random.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2021
How the 2018 compares with other Wrangler years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of the 8 Wrangler years we cover, about 3.6 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Steering1,100150
- Electrical144141
- Transmission13163
- Suspension7215
- Body and structure604
- Engine3726
Where the 2018 fits in the Wrangler's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the 12th model year of the Wrangler's third generation (2007–2018).
Recalls to confirm (14)
Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V676000Backup cameraSep 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a center brake light that fails to illuminate can fail to indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers replaced the harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or the spare tire carrier/harness assembly, as necessary, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired by January 15, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 77B.
24V652000ElectricalSep 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays.".
Risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.
23V116000TransmissionFeb 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 19A. This recall expands and replaces previous recall 21V-028. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-028 will need to have the new remedy completed.
21V028000TransmissionJan 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has ordered a stop sale for the affected vehicles as of February 25, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2021.
20V124000TransmissionMar 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Risk: The overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began April 30, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W12.
19V680000Seat beltsSep 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Risk: A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.
19V320000EquipmentApr 2019
Erwin Hymer Group USA LP dba American Fastbacks (EHGUSA-AF) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles sold with a roof top tent installed. The top cover of the roof top tent may crack or break, possibly resulting in the cover detaching from the vehicle while moving.
Risk: If the roof top tent cover detaches from the vehicle while moving, it can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact American Fastbacks customer service at 1-844-533-7997 extension 301. Note: Vehicles in this recall are also included in recall 19V-190.
18V786000Door latches and locksNov 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler four-door vehicles. The right rear passenger door latch may not be in the correct location, possibly preventing the door from latching properly.
Risk: If the right rear passenger door opens unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the right rear door latch reinforcement, free of charge. The recall begin December 6, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB6.
18V675000Body and structureSep 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability.
Risk: An unexpected reduction in steering ability, can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the track bar bracket welds, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA5.
18V524000ElectricalAug 2018
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.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
18V343000SteeringMay 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
Risk: If the weld seam splits, the steering wheel may lose center positioning causing a loss of steering responsiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U48.
18V332000ElectricalMay 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
18V280000TransmissionMay 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
18V231000Body and structureApr 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The rear under body ladder rail may corrode, possibly reducing the strength of the rear floor pan and causing the left rear seat mount to become loose.
Risk: If the floor pan strength is reduced and/or the rear seat mount becomes loose, the rear seat may detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, coat the interior and exterior of the driver's side rear underbody ladder rail with three-part rust protection. The recall began September 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U27.
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2018 owner complaints, side by side
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