The 2018 Cherokee is notorious for its 9-speed ZF transmission issues and catastrophic 2.4L Tigershark engine failures. The transmission problems are well-documented but manageable; the engine grenading itself is a ticking time bomb that can leave you stranded with a $7,000+ repair bill.
9-Speed ZF Transmission Shuddering and Harsh Shifting
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 30,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh 2-3 or 8-9 gear shifts, especially when cold, Shuddering or jerking during light acceleration 25-45 mph, Delayed engagement when shifting from Park to Drive, Transmission going into limp mode intermittently
Fix: Most cases require transmission fluid flush with updated ZF fluid and software flash (2-3 hours). Persistent cases need valve body replacement (8-10 hours) or full rebuild. Multiple TSBs issued but no permanent fix for all units.
Estimated cost: $300-5,500
2.4L Tigershark Engine Catastrophic Failure (Connecting Rod Bearing)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loud knocking noise from engine bay, Metal shavings in oil, low oil pressure warning, Engine seizes completely, no warning in some cases, Oil consumption issues leading up to failure
Fix: Connecting rod bearings fail prematurely due to design flaw in oil passage. Once knocking starts, engine is done. Requires complete engine replacement or rebuild with updated bearings (25-35 hours labor). This is NOT a rebuild-in-place job — needs full disassembly.
Estimated cost: $7,000-10,000
Front Driveline Axle Shaft Separation (Recall 21V-401)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Clunking noise from front axle during turns, Sudden loss of drive power, vehicle rolls freely, Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds, Visible gap or movement at axle shaft connection
Fix: Half-shaft can separate from PTU (power transfer unit) due to insufficient roll-crimping. Covered under recall but many owners experience it before notification arrives. Replacement of both front axle shafts required (3-4 hours).
Estimated cost: $0 (recall) or $800-1,200
Power Liftgate Module Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Liftgate won't open or close with button, Liftgate opens partially then reverses, Repeated beeping, error messages on dash, Manual operation still works but power function dead
Fix: Liftgate control module or strut position sensors fail. Diagnosis requires scan tool to read module codes (0.5 hours), module replacement adds 2 hours, strut sensor replacement adds 1.5 hours each side.
Estimated cost: $600-1,400
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under vehicle, passenger side, Burning smell after driving, Low transmission fluid warning, Transmission overheating message on dash
Fix: Hard plastic lines to radiator-mounted cooler crack at fittings or routing points. Lines run along frame rails and are exposed to road debris. Replacement requires dropping skid plates and rerouting new lines (3-4 hours). Some cases need cooler replaced too.
Estimated cost: $500-1,200
Electrical System Water Intrusion (Wiring Harness)
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Random warning lights on dash (ABS, traction control, airbag), Intermittent no-start condition, Modules going offline, loss of multiple functions, Corrosion visible in underhood fuse box or firewall connectors
Fix: Water enters through cowl drains or poorly-sealed body harness grommets, corroding connectors and modules. Diagnosis is time-consuming (2-4 hours), repair depends on extent — can range from cleaning connectors to full harness section replacement (8-12 hours for major sections).
Estimated cost: $400-3,000
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) Fluid Neglect and Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or grinding noise from center of vehicle, Binding feeling during tight turns, AWD system fault light on dash, Metal shavings in PTU fluid
Fix: PTU fluid is sealed-for-life per Jeep but actually needs changes every 30-40k miles. By the time noise starts, bearings are damaged. Fluid change is 1 hour but if damaged, PTU replacement is 5-7 hours. Not a DIY-friendly job due to tight access.
Estimated cost: $150 (fluid) or $1,800-2,800 (replacement)
Owner tips
Change PTU and rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles regardless of manual — this is critical for AWD models
Monitor 2.4L engine oil consumption religiously; top off frequently and consider switching to 5W-30 full synthetic
Get transmission software updates applied at dealer even if no symptoms yet — later TSBs improved shift logic
Check transmission fluid level and condition every oil change; should be bright red, not brown
Inspect front axle shafts for play or leaking boots annually, especially if recall hasn't been done
Avoid the 2.4L engine at all costs — too many grenaded at low mileage with no warning. The 3.2L V6 with religiously-maintained transmission and PTU fluid can be okay, but this generation Cherokee is a hard pass for anyone seeking reliability.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · 18V494000
2018-07-26
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 18V332000
2018-05-17
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.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 18V282000
2018-05-01
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine. These vehicles may have been manufactured with a fuel tube that may leak fuel into the engine compartment.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U39.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · 17V670000
2017-10-24
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
Consequence: If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 17V543000
2017-08-31
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The tire and rim size information required to be on the Certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.