Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2018 Jeep WranglerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 1,827 owner complaints for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler. Most complaints involve steering (1,117) and suspension (343). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
14campaigns
Latest Sep 2024
Owner complaints
1,827
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

14 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The wiring harness for the rearview camera and the center brake light may short circuit, which can disable the rearview camera image and center brake light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 111, "Rear Visibility" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Back over preventionReported Sep 12, 2024NHTSA 24V676000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Electrical systemReported Sep 5, 2024NHTSA 24V652000

Power train: clutch assembly

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Feb 23, 2023NHTSA 23V116000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,827 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Steering1,117
  2. Suspension343
  3. Electrical system268
  4. Power train177
  5. Engine99
  6. Structure97
  7. Wheels61
  8. Service brakes54
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)46

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

By model year

Complaints for each Wrangler model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997411
1998265
1999217
2000270
2001170
2002108
20071,059
20081,255
2009650
2010686
2011485
2012835
2013657
2014658
2015479
2016462
2017312
20181,827
2019747
2020618
2021958
2022412
2023374
2024970
202583
20260
Crashes reported
22
Fires reported
25
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

1,117 reports9 crashes1 fire
“Death wobble dealer states was repaired by a bushing, lakeland Chrysler dodge selling and servicing dealer. They can not duplicate but no one is ever available to road test. Spoke with General manager and was told to trade in not we want to fix”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Steering, SuspensionODI 11771202

Suspension

343 reports1 crash
“Any time I am over the speed of about 55 mph, and hit any type of bump, the steering wheel starts to shake violently. I have to slow down to about 40 mph to make it stop. I almost got rearended by an 18-wheeler yesterday on the interstate.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2026Steering, SuspensionODI 11743278

Electrical system

268 reports2 crashes6 fires
“The front driver gauge cluster display frequently goes black. It’s done this for a while, but recently the display stays off a lot longer, making the vehicle less safe to drive. There is a recall for other Jeeps that do this, but my 2018 Jeep Wrangler JLU isn’t covered for some reason.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2026Electrical systemODI 11768875
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Wrangler 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172118$3,550481
Wrangler 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172118$3,550480
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
162018$3,550504
Wrangler Unlimited 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550502
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 12794
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 Wrangler questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have?

14 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2018 Jeep Wrangler problems?

Owners filed 1,827 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (1,117), suspension (343), electrical system (268). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Jeep Wrangler at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026