2018 Jeep Wrangler Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 177 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, 10% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 27,294 miles. The words owners use most often: “service shifter” (6% of reports).
- 177power train complaints
- 27,294median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 38%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 11 of 177 complaints (6%)
- Power train contacted: mentioned in 10 of 177 complaints (6%)
- Chrysler dodge ram: mentioned in 9 of 177 complaints (5%)
- Pressure plate: mentioned in 9 of 177 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 86 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 177 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 2 an injury.
Jeep Wrangler power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Wrangler | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2025 Wrangler | 12 | 17% | — |
| 2024 Wrangler | 177 | 24% | 12,500 |
| 2023 Wrangler | 51 | 14% | 21,000 |
| 2022 Wrangler | 65 | 16% | 17,000 |
| 2021 Wrangler | 148 | 16% | 15,000 |
| 2020 Wrangler | 47 | 8% | 3,750 |
| 2019 Wrangler | 80 | 11% | 37,250 |
| 2018 Wrangler | 177 | 10% | 27,294 |
| 2017 Wrangler | 50 | 16% | 19,000 |
| 2016 Wrangler | 74 | 16% | 31,000 |
| 2015 Wrangler | 51 | 11% | 33,000 |
| 2014 Wrangler | 88 | 13% | 44,000 |
| 2013 Wrangler | 230 | 35% | 23,161 |
| 2012 Wrangler | 282 | 34% | 18,250 |
| 2011 Wrangler | 40 | 8% | 35,000 |
| 2010 Wrangler | 68 | 10% | 25,250 |
| 2009 Wrangler | 34 | 9% | 41,750 |
| 2008 Wrangler | 67 | 8% | 59,500 |
| 2007 Wrangler | 46 | 8% | 64,000 |
| 2006 Wrangler | 57 | 8% | 24,000 |
| 2005 Wrangler | 41 | 6% | 58,000 |
| 2004 Wrangler | 26 | 14% | 32,500 |
| 2003 Wrangler | 22 | 22% | 17,000 |
| 2002 Wrangler | 14 | 13% | 20,000 |
| 2001 Wrangler | 23 | 14% | 90,000 |
| 2000 Wrangler | 70 | 28% | 35,400 |
| 1999 Wrangler | 20 | 9% | 52,000 |
| 1998 Wrangler | 33 | 12% | 95,000 |
| 1997 Wrangler | 53 | 13% | 73,815 |
| 1995 Wrangler | 32 | 16% | 74,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Power train:clutch assembly
Problem: 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.
Power train:clutch assembly
Problem: 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.
Power train:clutch assembly
Problem: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted after the recall repair. While driving 15 MPH, the instrument cluster failed to display the gear that the…
FCA US LLC is actively violating the intent of Safety Campaign 23V-116 by refusing to cover out-of-pocket consequential transmission damages. FCAâs own Part 573 Defect Report explicitly admits that the defective clutch pressure plate causes extreme friction, overheating, and fracturing capable of…
report to the dealer that my 2018 jeep has recall for clotch overheating and vehicle can catch on fire , and it has been 3 years with no respond or completion or the job been done , feel kind of scared for the safety of me and my family every day driving ah vehicle can catch on fire . please help…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Jeep Wranglers have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 177 owner complaints about power train for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler (10% of the 1,827 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 Wrangler power train?
Yes: 4 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 27,294 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
The most frequent phrase is “service shifter”, in 11 of 177 complaints, followed by “power train contacted” (10).
Other 2018 Jeep Wrangler problems
- Steering problems (1,117)
- Suspension problems (343)
- Electrical System problems (268)
- Engine problems (99)
- Structure problems (97)
- Wheels problems (61)
- Service Brakes problems (54)
See all 2018 Jeep Wrangler problems or power train problems across all Wrangler years.