10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,552 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #86

Sep 012024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I'm writing to report a critical safety concern regarding the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee's water pump design. As an owner, I've experienced persistent coolant leaks, which I've found is a widespread issue affecting many others. This problem stems from a fundamental design flaw in the water pump, not typical wear and tear. The issue centers on a small "freeze plug" that leaks when the engine reaches operating temperature. This plug serves no apparent purpose and causes premature failures and coolant leaks across numerous vehicles. Key points: The leak occurs consistently when the engine is hot, indicating a design-related problem. This issue potentially leads to engine overheating and severe damage. It affects many vehicles, particularly those with the 3.6L V6 engine. Extensive research on online forums confirms this is a common problem. A YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73MgJF4bx5o) provides insight into the issue. The creator states: "Upon digging into this a bit deeper, I don't believe it's the 'weep hole'. It's actually like a small 'freeze plug' that leaks on these pumps. If you look through the pulley at the opposite side of the aluminum freeze plug that leaks, you will see the weep hole. This 'freeze plug' that leaks serves no purpose as far as I see it. It's just like they slapped this plug in the front of the pump-?? and it leaks when it gets hot." Given this evidence of a design flaw and its widespread impact, I urge NHTSA to: Investigate the water pump design of the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and similar models. Assess the safety implications, including the risk of engine overheating and potential vehicle failures. Consider whether a recall or other corrective action is necessary. The fact that this is a design issue rather than wear-and-tear underscores its urgency. All vehicles with this water pump design are potentially at risk, regardless of mileage or maintenance history. Thank you

- Downingtown, PA, USA

problem #85

Nov 252024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Please see ALL the reports of the same exact issue. There is an issue with the 2018 Grand Cherokee Engines. This blown head gasket is now going to cost me $13,000 to get a new engine. Every report listed in this link IS THE SAME ISSUE. Please address the issues and reimburse owners of this Jeep having to replace their engines. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #84

Dec 202024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
A recall NHTSA 20V-699 was issued on our vehicle in March 2021. This is related to a Fire Hazard. The recall repair was done and component exchanged, now 3 years later and 35,000 miles we have exactly the same issue. A cracked EGR cooler, same as previous. My concern is that the replaced part is from the same batch as originally and as such they replaced a dangerous part with another dangerous part. The dealer and FCA refuses to replace the part as they say the recall has been closed. I my opinion this Fire Hazard still exists and repair was not done with a quality product, as it is exactly the same issue. as before.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #83

Aug 092024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The radio randomly changes every 5 seconds, the beeping will drive a person insane, blutooth will hang up or not allow me to answer or call out. The seat warmers turn on randomly as well and i-??m unable to lower the temp or turn them off. A/C in the winter and heat the summer. auto start doesn-??t work cuz vehicle shuts itself off after 30s - 1 min and navigation is useless cuz of this electrical gremlin. How long before it accelerates by itself or cuts the engine while I-??m on the freeway. Safety HAZARD

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #82

Aug 152023

Grand Cherokee

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle started hesitating and then stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The throttle body wiring was replaced, and the codes were reset. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and it was suggested that the vehicle needed to be retested. The vehicle was repaired again. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle accelerated independently while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while coming to a stop. The contact made a left turn into a parking lot and the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stopped the vehicle and had the vehicle towed back to the dealer where the vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

- Fulton, NY, USA

problem #81

Nov 112024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6 L V6 Engines have a high rate of having HEAD GASKET problems around 100,000 miles causing vehicle to overheat and leak liquid into the cylinders damaging the engine. Please look into this problem at dealerships around the country with this year, make and model and discover how common of an issue this is with owners.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #80

Oct 202024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Took my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicle in as oil was leaking badly, which could have made a dangerous situation. Was told by mechanic that my oil filter adapter had to be replaced. Was advised it was made of plastic and had cracked. The mechanic could not believe there wasn-??t already a recall on this part. He replaced it with an aluminum part but this was a costly repair costing close to $1,100.

- Akron, NY, USA

problem #79

Oct 032024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
The EGR Valve, Diesel Particulate Filter, and Intake Manifold failed at 88k miles. The EGR was replaced at 49k miles on October 4, 2021. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for MIL. The estimated repair cost is $11k. All components are filled with carbon deposits. The emissions system should provide a longer life than 88k miles. Is there a possible design defect with the emission ?

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #78

Sep 242024

Grand Cherokee

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the START/STOP, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that one of the spark plugs was misfiring and the ignition coils might need to be replaced. The independent mechanic requested to perform another diagnostic test on the vehicle and discovered that there was a blown head gasket and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Scotts Valley, CA, USA

problem #77

Aug 262024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
the number 4 and 5 cylinders warped in my 3.6 engine Cross Motors in Louisville Ky is repairing the engine

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #76

Jul 072024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought a 2018 jeep grand Cherokee limited on July 1,2024. A week after owning the vehicle the jeep kept shutting off while driving on the interstate and the dash said -?? put in P and push to start-?? none of the hazard lights came on. It just automatically shut off in the middle of traffic multiple times and when put into park and tried to restart it would take several attempts. This is unsafe and I-??m lucky I did not get into an accident since the vehicle is just turning off while I-??m driving on a busy highway not to mention almost getting into an accident since I-??m given no warning. I dropped off my jeep at the dealership and they have had it for two weeks stating they can not find any issues with the vehicle. This is frustrating and scary and do not even feel comfortable driving a the jeep that I owned for one week. I have read several complaints in the same issue and k won-??t seems to be able to find what is causing this issue.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #75

Jun 262024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Car dealer said that they already fixed the recalled issue. But we took car to the dealer also for car overheating in very short distances and the car only has about 67,300 miles. The dealer said that they "found stored DTC in PCM" P0304(Cylinder #4 Misfire). "There are combustion gases in cooling system." They said the car needed cylinder head replacement and engine replacement quoting me $8001.88 for repairs which I could not pay. The car has only been driven locally. We also suspect that this car may have been damaged by hurricane Michael in Florida in 2018 and damage may have not been reported. Car was bought in Florida in approx. September 2018 by owner 1 who sold the car to owner 2 with only approx. 2500mi after Hurricane Michael (Oct 9-10th). The car was sold to owner 2 in November 2018 in Florida then brought to California in 2021 and sold to owner 3 who is making this report. Or car may have already presented mechanical issues that may not been reported. Car has only been driven locally.

- Antioch, CA, USA

problem #74

Feb 012024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Stop Start comes on and will turn the car off when stopped. I have to put the car in Park to restart the car. The deal said that there is no recall for this issue.

- Wonder Lake, IL, USA

problem #73

May 282024

Grand Cherokee

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power intermittently. Additionally, the contact observed a burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft, oil valve, and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Lakeville, MN, USA

problem #72

Jul 012024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Car began to shake after looking under the hood found low coolant. After replacing the coolant it continued to run low only after 1 week. After second time replacing coolant engine light came on and it was taken to a mechanic who had codes come up as misfires. After replacing spark plugs and full tune up, engine light came back on. After taking it to a dealership they found a crack in the gasket at coolant passage. Car never over heated for the crack to have happened. Also seeing many other people with the same issue at the same mileage of 72k mile or less. I believe there is an issue with the head gasket.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #71

Jun 072024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
My jeep has stalled on me twice attempting to go through a stop sign at a busy intersection as soon as I slowed the jeep down and then accelerated to go through the stop sign it stalled on a major hwy. no lights come on and the automatic shutoff button is turned off And for the past month the jeep hasn-??t started without either a jump or sitting a while after it was hooked to another vehicle.

- Western Grove, AR, USA

problem #70

May 202024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Jeep would not start. No warning lights. Towed to the mechanic. Mechanic said starter needed to be replaced. Once the starter was replaced the mechanic noted whitish smoke from exhaust when starting the Jeep. Further diagnosis he determined the Jeep needed a head gasket replacement. As other Jeep owners have stated this came with no warning. This is a safety issue in part because the vehicle is unable to start leaving the drivers potentially started in unsafe conditions. Jeep needs to post a recall for this issue. Please advise next steps?

- Holliston, MA, USA

problem #69

Mar 012024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Misfiring. Can't seem to get the check engine light off. Vehicle is too new to be having these sorts of issues. Diagnostic reader says 3rd cylinder misfire.

- Myrtle, MS, USA

problem #68

Mar 082024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Crankshaft positioning sensor I-??m sure my jeep falls into the recall I purchased it in march 24 and as soon as I drove off the lot with it the light came on got home scanned to find the cause and it-??s the crankshaft sensor

- Ben Wheeler, TX, USA

problem #67

Jan 012024

Grand Cherokee

  • miles
Been in the shop & dealer multiple times! Check engine light on for misfire in cylinder one; oil pressure sensor code. Oil case housing was replaced due to cracking! And oil pressure sensor replaced also. But still isn-??t fixed and now leaks oil. Head gasket problems. Shop informed me I-??ll need to replace loosing coolant going into my head gasket. Around 140k miles but problems occurred before! Jeep please explain why this is happening! A lot of money to fix it and problem after problem

- New Haven, WV, USA

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