Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk problems

Owners filed 685 complaints about the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with NHTSA between Dec 2017 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (281).

Complaints
685
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
41
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system281
  2. Engine97
  3. Power train59
  4. Fuel/propulsion system39
  5. Vehicle speed control33
  6. Seats28
  7. Service brakes25
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic24
  9. Air bags16
  10. Fuel system, diesel15
  11. Exterior lighting15
  12. Engine and engine cooling14
  13. Forward collision avoidance14
  14. Suspension13

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20171
201860
201965
202042
2021110
2022161
2023128
202468
202550

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

281 reports5 crashes6 fires
“My 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland is experiencing serious electrical malfunctions related to the Uconnect radio head unit. This component appears to control or influence multiple vehicle systems beyond just audio, including climate control, backup camera, navigation, and possibly driver assistance features. The system malfunctions frequently and erratically — settings change on their own, the screen goes black or freezes, and controls become unresponsive while driving. These distractions create a serious safety hazard, as I am forced to take my attention off the road to regain control of basic functions like defrost or audio volume. I have discovered that this issue is widely reported by thousands of Jeep owners from this model year and earlier, particularly those with Uconnect systems. Jeep has refused to address or recall the problem despite it clearly impacting driving safety and vehicle usability. This malfunction significantly impairs my ability to operate the vehicle safely. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this issue as a potential safety defect. I have taken my car to the dealership and was advised that the whole radio unit needs to be…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11679192

Engine

97 reports6 crashes2 fires
“In September 2025, the vehicle was shaking upon idle when we started it. We did a test and learned it was somehow losing coolant. We took it to a mechanic who discovered it was burning coolant in the 5th cylinder. They diagnosed the issue as blown head gaskets caused by the engine being machined incorrectly by the manufacturer. This resulted in the need for a short block removal and replacement, resurfacing the cylinder heads, replacing the head gaskets, among with many smaller repairs. The cost was over $8,000 total for a manufacturing error. If left unresolved, this could have caused further mechanical issues and potentially a crash or other safety issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2025EngineODI 11697308

Power train

59 reports7 crashes1 fire
“While driving 2018 jeep grand cherokee the transmission will shift its self into neutral and say select desired gear. Then it will shut it self down in the middle of the road.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2025Power trainODI 11672142

Fuel/propulsion system

39 reports4 crashes1 fire
“Three concerns: (1) the engine light is on. mechanics cannot determine why. (2) the car has trouble starting. When I park indoors, the car doesn't start. The engine turns over several times and the RPM goes all the way up, but the car will not start until the 3rd or 4th try. mechanics cannot determine why. (3) when I pump gas, the fuel pump automatically shuts off even though the gas tank is not full. So I have to hold the pump in place and use the gas gauge to determine when the tank is full. mechanics have seen this problem in other jeeps but haven't given me a reason why.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11655171

Vehicle speed control

33 reports11 crashes
“I purchased a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee on [XXX] unaware that the vehicle was subject to a federal safety recall and stop-sale order. The recall (NHTSA 24V-838 / Manufacturer 94B) was issued on November 7, 2024, for a defect in the ABS control module that may disable the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and cause unintended vehicle movement even while stationary. A stop-sale order (VIR 2024-11-14) was issued by Stellantis on November 14, 2024, prohibiting the sale or delivery of affected vehicles until repaired. Despite this, the dealership sold me the vehicle while the recall was still open and unrepaired. In the months following my purchase, I began experiencing issues with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC). On June 15, 2025, I paid $770 out-of-pocket for ETC sensor repairs after a loss of throttle response. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, but this defect may be linked to the broader electronic issues cited in the recall. No warning lights appeared in advance. I have been driving this vehicle daily without knowing it could malfunction in a way that puts myself and others at risk. I only learned…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11668509

Seats

28 reports1 fire
“The 2018 grand Cherokee has issues with mother board and electrical ghosts. 1st it was headlights and dome lights. they would flicker. i had to change the front lights 2x in a year. i thought this was odd. never did this with any car before. then I was driving home from work during rush hour and it started to rain. started the wipers front and back. the back wiper started and went halfway and got stuck. what happen? the front wipers went on for several revolutions (say 10-20 ) then stopped. started again. then stopped again. the rain intensity grew. Now the -wipers would only work when turned in opposite direction (the manual 1 pass move). this happened as i was trying to get home and stuck bumper to bumper on [XXX] . on this dangerous highway in middle of now a torrential downpour the front wipers now decided it wouldn't work AT ALL. i couldn't see anything and veered off to the shoulder thank god - waiting for rain to stop and then safely proceeded home. the next day the wipers worked. no check engine or anything. this goes on for a week or so with no issue. then out of nowhere the driver seat decides it has a mind of its own and pushes me all the way to the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2025Electrical system, Seats, Visibility/wiperODI 11666425
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.