Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Jeep Wrangler problems

Owners filed 1,827 complaints about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler with NHTSA between Mar 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (1,117).

Complaints
1,827
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
22
Reported by owners
Fires
25
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Visibility/wiper41
  11. Vehicle speed control24
  12. Fuel/propulsion system18
  13. Seats14
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic13

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 Nov 3, 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
2018463
2019524
2020165
2021118
2022127
2023135
202493
2025112
202690

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

Steering

1,117 reports9 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“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 fires3 related recalls
“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

Power train

177 reports2 crashes13 fires4 related recalls
“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 transmission was shifted to. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact stalled the engine and waited for the vehicle to shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the instrument cluster had damaged the transmission and CAN C bus connector. The dealer replaced the instrument cluster, transmission, and CAN C bus connector, but the instrument cluster again failed to display the transmission gear. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026Power trainODI 11767371

Engine

99 reports3 crashes8 fires
“I purchased this 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited on July 19, 2025. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced repeated mechanical failures that have required multiple repairs. The most serious issue involves the engine overheating at highway speeds without any visible coolant leak or clearly identifiable cause.Despite seeking professional diagnosis, the source of the overheating could not be determined. Shortly afterward, the vehicle developed a P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire), raising concerns about possible internal engine damage caused by the overheating.I believe this presents a significant safety hazard. An engine that overheats unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds can lose power or fail without warning, creating a dangerous situation for the driver and surrounding traffic. The vehicle has become unreliable and unsafe to operate because I cannot predict when it may overheat or experience another engine failure.As someone who often drives alone, I no longer feel safe taking this vehicle on long trips. I am concerned that the vehicle could leave me stranded on a highway or in a remote location without warning, placing my personal safety at risk. A…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11749969

Structure

97 reports1 crash5 fires2 related recalls
“The doors, hinges, hood and other places is rusted, bubbled and huge 1-2" pieces of paint are coming off the 2018 Jeep JL Rubicon Unlimited at 32-35k miles. This is absolutely unacceptable when my unrestored 1988 Jeep Comanche is rust free! Been to every dealership around and they confirm it's an issue with these, but refuse to fix.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2026StructureODI 11757811
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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