2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Problems
Owners have filed 125 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 14,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “head gasket” (10% of reports).
- 125engine complaints
- 14,000median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $7,200typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%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.
- Head gasket: mentioned in 13 of 125 complaints (10%)
- Spark plugs: mentioned in 9 of 125 complaints (7%)
- Start stop: mentioned in 8 of 125 complaints (6%)
- Water pump: mentioned in 8 of 125 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee at $7,200, and half of them between $5,400 and $8,400.
Based on 6 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2024–2025), 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 engine problems happen?
Based on 43 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 125 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 3 a fire.
Jeep Grand Cherokee engine complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on December 21, 2021. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available, currently expected to be around March 11, 2021. The recall began March 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is W79.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while taking the vehicle to a service center for an oil change, the oil filter plastic housing unexpectedly warped after the oil change. The contact stated that after the failure, smoke was coming from the vehicle, and an oil odor…
Sudden loss of power while driving 75mph in the fast lane on [XXX] in [XXX]. My 2018 with the 3.0ltr Eco diesel engine was involved in a sever life-threatening event That caused my engine to fail while driving and I request immediate corporate escalation! On XXX while driving in the fast lane after…
Subject: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee â Sudden Loss of Power, PCM Failure, Electrical Failures, and Concern Regarding Recall-Related Symptoms I am filing this complaint because my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee experienced a sudden and unexpected loss of power while I was driving, and I am very concerned…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokees have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 125 owner complaints about engine for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (15% of the 855 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 Grand Cherokee engine?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 14,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $7,200 (half paid between $5,400 and $8,400), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “head gasket”, in 13 of 125 complaints, followed by “spark plugs” (9).
Other 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
See all 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems or engine problems across all Grand Cherokee years.