2018 Jeep Cherokee Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 295 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 40,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “service shifter” (39% of reports).
- 295power train complaints
- 40,500median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $2,800typical repair cost reported by owners
- 40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Service shifter: mentioned in 115 of 295 complaints (39%)
- Power transfer: mentioned in 30 of 295 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee at $2,800, and half of them between $1,200 and $4,500.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2021–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 144 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 295 complaints, 1 mention a crash.
Jeep Cherokee power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Cherokee | 3 | 38% | — |
| 2023 Cherokee | 2 | 67% | 11,500 |
| 2022 Cherokee | 28 | 55% | 63,000 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 103 | 59% | 70,000 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 190 | 58% | 64,000 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 821 | 49% | 50,000 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 295 | 43% | 40,500 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 649 | 49% | 46,638 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 633 | 45% | 48,157 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 1,004 | 56% | 24,000 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 1,471 | 56% | 34,000 |
| 2006 Cherokee | 2 | 12% | 26,689 |
| 2001 Cherokee | 24 | 10% | 33,000 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 29 | 8% | 65,325 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 53 | 14% | 70,000 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 65 | 16% | 121,000 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 47 | 12% | 164,000 |
| 1996 Cherokee | 60 | 13% | 112,673 |
| 1995 Cherokee | 43 | 7% | 14,600 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Power train
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Problem: Chrysler (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 been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.
Risk: If the halfshaft bearing cage breaks, the halfshaft may not be able to transmit engine power, causing a loss of drive or it can allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U78.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Took my 2018 Jeep cherokee to dealership for a service appointment, a service the 4wheel drive light came on. We have experience hard transmission shifting and popping. The dealership haved checked our Jeep and told us that the replacement of the PTU had to be replaced. My wife is not driving the…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the transmission failed to shift into gear properly. The contact stated that the vehicle nearly stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that on a rainy day while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle almost spun out of control due to a lack of traction. The message "4WD System Service Required" was displayed. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with a power transfer…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Jeep Cherokees have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 295 owner complaints about power train for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee (43% of the 687 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 40,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,800 (half paid between $1,200 and $4,500), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “service shifter”, in 115 of 295 complaints, followed by “power transfer” (30).
Other 2018 Jeep Cherokee problems
- Electrical System problems (190)
- Engine problems (155)
See all 2018 Jeep Cherokee problems or power train problems across all Cherokee years.