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2018 Jeep Wrangler

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Live NHTSA + EPA record2018 Jeep Wrangler

Recall campaigns

14

model-level · confirm on your VIN

Owner complaints

1827

filed with NHTSA

NHTSA safety

Not Rated/5

federal crash test

2018 Jeep Wrangler — Safety Summary

The 2018 Jeep Wrangler has 14 NHTSA safety recalls and 1827 owner complaints on record. The most frequently reported complaint area is steering. It earned an NHTSA overall safety rating of Not Rated out of 5. Based on this public data its Model Risk Score is 70/100 (medium risk). These recall campaigns are matched at the year/make/model level — confirm any open recall for a specific VIN with a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN above to decode the exact vehicle, then get the Smart Buyer Report for a buyer analysis of this model's reliability, common issues by mileage, and a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

Should you buy the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?

The 2018 Jeep Wrangler shows a moderate amount of recall or complaint activity in public data. It can still be a solid choice, but it is worth checking a few specific areas before you commit.

The best next step is to run the exact VIN and, if the car still looks promising, get a Smart Buyer Report for a model-specific reliability read and an inspection checklist before you visit the seller.

14
Recall Campaigns
1827
Owner Complaints
Not Rated/5
Safety Rating
70/100
Model Risk Score

What owners complain about most

The complaint categories reported most often for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, based on owner reports in the public NHTSA data.

STEERING673 reports
STEERING,SUSPENSION175 reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM110 reports
POWER TRAIN105 reports

Complaint patterns suggest where to look — they are not proof any specific vehicle has that issue. Treat them as inspection prompts.

What to check before buying a used 2018 Jeep Wrangler

  • Owners report steering concerns most often for this model — worth checking during an inspection.
  • Owners report steering,suspension concerns most often for this model — worth checking during an inspection.
  • Owners report electrical system concerns most often for this model — worth checking during an inspection.
  • Owners report power train concerns most often for this model — worth checking during an inspection.
  • Confirm any open recall work was completed with a franchised dealer using the VIN.

Ownership considerations

General things worth checking on a used Wrangler in cold-weather states — winter, road salt, and cold-weather wear.

  • Check AWD or 4WD operation if equipped — driveline components are costly to repair.
  • Road salt drives corrosion on underbody and subframe points; inspect the undercarriage on salt-belt vehicles.
  • Verify heater, defroster, and rear defogger all work ahead of winter.
  • Battery and cold-start reliability are worth confirming for cold-climate states.

Pre-purchase inspection priorities

  • Bring a qualified mechanic or book an independent pre-purchase inspection.
  • Check the undercarriage for rust and corrosion, especially on salt-belt vehicles.
  • Confirm all open recalls have been repaired with a franchised dealer using the VIN.
  • Review maintenance records and look for gaps in servicing.
  • Test all winter-critical systems: heater, defroster, battery, and (if equipped) AWD/4WD.

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NHTSA Safety Ratings

Government crash test results

—
Overall
—
Front Crash
—
Side Crash
★★★☆☆
Rollover

NHTSA Recalls

14 recall(s) for this year/model

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

26/09/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.

Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will received a second letter and the recall began March 26, 2020. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VA6.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

28/09/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the track bar bracket welds, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA5.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

12/04/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The rear under body ladder rail may corrode, possibly reducing the strength of the rear floor pan and causing the left rear seat mount to become loose.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, coat the interior and exterior of the driver's side rear underbody ladder rail with three-part rust protection. The recall began September 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U27.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

08/11/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler four-door vehicles. The right rear passenger door latch may not be in the correct location, possibly preventing the door from latching properly.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the right rear door latch reinforcement, free of charge. The recall begin December 6, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB6.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

01/05/2018

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.

Remedy: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

17/05/2018

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.

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.

EQUIPMENT

23/04/2019

Erwin Hymer Group USA LP dba American Fastbacks (EHGUSA-AF) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles sold with a roof top tent installed. The top cover of the roof top tent may crack or break, possibly resulting in the cover detaching from the vehicle while moving.

Remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact American Fastbacks customer service at 1-844-533-7997 extension 301. Note: Vehicles in this recall are also included in recall 19V-190.

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

28/01/2021

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.

Remedy: 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

03/03/2020

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.

Remedy: 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.

STEERING

25/05/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U48.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

09/08/2018

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.

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:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

23/02/2023

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.

Remedy: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

05/09/2024

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."

Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 30B.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

12/09/2024

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."

Remedy: Dealers replaced the harness for the center brake light and rearview camera and/or the spare tire carrier/harness assembly, as necessary, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired by January 15, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 77B.

Owner Complaints

1827 complaint(s) filed with NHTSA

Top complaint categories:

STEERING673 (37%)
STEERING,SUSPENSION175 (10%)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM110 (6%)
POWER TRAIN105 (6%)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER94 (5%)

Want the full picture?

The free data above comes from public NHTSA records. The Smart Buyer Report adds buyer analysis for this exact model — reliability score, common problems by mileage, real maintenance costs in USD, a pre-purchase inspection checklist, a market value estimate, and notes on rust, winter, and fuel.

Data disclaimer:Vehicle history information on SmartVINReport.com is compiled from publicly available government sources, primarily the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Reports may not include all incidents, recalls, or issues related to a specific vehicle. Data is provided "as-is" without warranty of completeness or accuracy. Always obtain a professional pre-purchase inspection before buying any used vehicle. SmartVINReport.com is not liable for purchasing decisions made based on report contents.