10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 11
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,152 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 Wrangler drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2018 Jeep Wrangler Owner Comments (Page 6 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #39

Jun 082020

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 25,300 miles

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

Noticed a burnt clutch smell. Could not accelerate after clutch burnt out. Car was in motion when trying to transition and accelerate and the clutch started burning and smoking and the gas pedal stopped accelerating.

- Ny, NY, USA

problem #38

Jan 052020

Wrangler

  • 19,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started swerving independently. The vehicle was taken to asheboro Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1709 E dixie dr, asheboro, nc 27203) where it was diagnosed that the track bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to asheboro Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and the contact was informed that there was nothing else the mechanic could do to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.

- Asheboro, NC, USA

problem #37

Mar 162020

Wrangler

  • 25,448 miles
On March 16th drove to work and parked car. Left work and got into car in parking lot. Upon trying to start the car we experienced multiple electrical issues as well as loss of power steering, traction control, stability control, engine start/stop failure, push start unresponsive. Car finally started although multiple lights remained on. Drove the car slowly to fca dealer closest to home and explained issues to service advisor tyler pennington. Dealer had car in service for approximately 3 weeks until today 4/3/2020. Picked up from service manager al begil. Mr. Begil explained that they never could physically find the source of the issues despite going through many wiring harnesses, modules, fuse boxes, etc. Communicated with fca engineering multiple times over the three weeks. Seems like it was engineering advised dealer to try something and if that doesn't work try let engineering know and then they would try something else. Our service adviser said that they had never seen anything like it. When I picked up the vehicle, I was told to drive around town slowly for several days in case power steering goes out again. Don't go on highway. Paperwork from dealer doesn't show any correction for concern. Called fca customer support upon arriving home. Customer support advised that my issues needed to be "escalated" and that someone would reach out to me on Monday or Tuesday. I now go through weekend without vehicle having to go to work every day. Fca customer service said they can't offer a loaner because we got car from dealer. Extremely unprofessional service department at dealer. Not much better from fca since I won't hear back for at least 3-4 days. Have notes of conversation with service manager that scared my wife and I to death. Just too much to write here.

- Winfield, WV, USA

problem #36

Dec 012019

Wrangler

  • 14,000 miles

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

Loud "clanking" noise coming from rear of vehicle when accelerating from dead stop and lightly accelerating from 5mph.

- Saint Charles, MD, USA

problem #35

Dec 212019

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • 8,000 miles
Vehicle was being driven approx 30mph on a city road when a loud bang was heard. Immediately pulled over and luckily a stranger following behind quickly escorted the driver out as the vehicle completely went up in flames. Metal chunks and pieces could be heard falling underneath the vehicle. Upon closer inspection the transmission had completely exploded and ejected the clutch assembly shearing the input shaft and rupturing a fuel line. The vehicle was a complete total loss with flames immediately entering the passenger cabin in seconds. If it was not for a brave bystander serious injury or death would have occurred. This is a new transmission introduced in the new jl Wrangler and gladiator and has been happening more and more. It's a serious safety issue that Jeep refuses to look into and needs to be investigated immediately. Transmission explosion to this degree not only can result in a fire but also metal projectiles hitting bystanders and coming through the floor boards and possibly resulting in injury or death. If you are reading this and have a manual Jeep Wrangler have it checked immediately! this was a completely unknown problem showing no symptoms whatsoever.

- Spring Grove, PA, USA

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problem #34

Jan 122020

Wrangler

  • 32,000 miles
Vehicle was driven and put into park. When restarted, even though I was able to move the gear shift, the Jeep would not move out of park. One dealership said it coded as the transmission control module and supposedly replaced it along with a transmission flush. Left and drove the Jeep, but it felt like it was always trying to shift into gear. Drove about 130 miles and had to get gas even though I was at 3/4 tank when I picked it up after "repairs". turned the vehicle off, got gas and restarted it. Again, would not go into gear but I was able to move the gear shifter.

- Stoutsville, MO, USA

problem #33

Jan 012020

Wrangler

  • 30,000 miles

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

Audible ticking coming from engine compartment

- Enterprise, AL, USA

problem #32

Oct 242019

Wrangler

  • 14,000 miles
While driving the steering appears to be locking

- Cedar Bluff, VA, USA

problem #31

Oct 122019

Wrangler

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 72 mph, the vehicle shook without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact to call the dealer. The contact called three different dealers, including glockner of ashland at 606-559-0217 (located at 1041 greenup ave, ashland, ky 41101) and was informed not to drive the vehicle and to bring it to the shop. The contact was informed that the earliest the vehicle could be inspected would be October 23, 2019. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

- Charlston, WV, USA

problem #30

Oct 152019

Wrangler 6-cyl

  • miles
2018 Jeep Wrangler jk. Consumer writes in regard to a faulty transmission range sensor which caused vehicle to not start on occasion.

- Birmingham, MI, USA

problem #29

Aug 242019

Wrangler

  • 1,500 miles

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

My five week old manual Jeep Wrangler jl with approximately 1500 miles on it was in motion travelling westbound on a 55 mph road when the incident occurred. The Jeep had been in motion for approximately 1/4 of a mile when it was shifted into third gear and part of the transmission fell off of the vehicle. When shifted into 4th gear, again more parts fell from beneath the Jeep. Immediately following the gear change the lights on the dash all lit up and black smoke and flames were seen simultaneously on the front passenger side of the vehicle. The Jeep was immediately pulled over and stopped on the side of the road where 911 was called. The firefighters found pieces of the transmission hundreds of yards from where the vehicle became engulfed in flames.

- North Branch, MI, USA

problem #28

Jan 022019

Wrangler

  • 4,000 miles
Death wobble. At highway speeds loose control of wheel requiring immediate slowdown. Very dangerous. Also issues with transmission getting stuck in low gear when trying to accelerate.

- Darien, CT, USA

problem #27

Jul 262019

Wrangler

  • 1,950 miles
My car has been experiencing the 'death wobble' as some dealerships have told me that. The steering gets a mind of its own and its super hard to control sometimes. I purchased a brand new car and it feels like im driving a lemon. Almost every other day since I purchased it (one month ago) seems like ive almost gotten into an accident.

- Trumbull, CT, USA

problem #26

Jun 012019

Wrangler

  • 5,000 miles
This was found during a tire replacement. The left rear brake was coated with "oil" that I was told came from the rear transmission seal next to the wheel leaking. The vehicle was, at times, hard to stop. I was forced to "slam" on the brakes to get vehicle to stop. The anti-lock brake feature seemed to stop working and I would skid to a stop. There was no consistency in the occurrence of this symptom. The dealer told us that they were replacing the rear axle assembly to fix the problem.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #25

May 252019

Wrangler

  • miles
Just bought a 2018 Wrangler jl leftover/ brand new off the lot. I immediately noticed that the steering is very loose and difficult to control. This is especially true in wind or if driving 55 miles per hour or more. My husband refuses to drive the car because he feels unsafe doing so. I get very nervous as well. I'm constantly having to adjust the wheel to stay on the road. The second issue is that sometimes when I set the cruise control it will just keep going past my designated speed I chose unless I turn it off. Lastly my car seems to not shift gears down. It throttles and revs. When I took it to be looked at I was told it's no big deal. Well it is! even my local mechanic said he feels that it's not switching properly between gears. I've waited 22 years to buy my first Wrangler and I paid $42000 for it. It should not do any of this! it's brand new. It's also a safety hazard. I could get into a major accident! I need help with these things please. Stand behind your product. This is my first Wrangler but my 4th Jeep. I also talked my mom and brother into buying new Jeep the same week I did last month! my contact is [xxx]. [xxx]. I'd like call back so someone can help me. Thank you information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Oriskany, NY, USA

problem #24

Dec 082018

Wrangler

  • 4,200 miles
Loosing communication with body control module code U0141. Started happening at 4300 miles. Drive around 25 miles at 70 to 75 and all gauges flash and cycle. Transmission goes into limp mode. And if you shut it off it won't start or crank over until it cools off. Took in to dealer for wty repair, they replaced the fuse box, but that didn't fix it. They tried again and give up on it. Said light bar and winch voided the wty. Which both connect at battery and winch has never been used and light bar very seldom. It has 8300 miles on it now it may go 2 months and be fine or it may do it 3 times in one day. Last time in shop was 2/27/19 they had it for 10 days that's when they decided it was accessories and no wty. It went almost 2000 miles not acting up until today 5/25/19.

- Durant, OK, USA

problem #23

Apr 272019

Wrangler

  • 0 miles
Gear is stuck in park. Not able to move gear from park to any other gear. Having to wait for a long period of time for transmission to cool down in order to switch gears.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #22

Nov 162018

Wrangler

  • 9,500 miles
Manual transmission started popping out of 2nd gear around 9500 miles. Transmission had to be replaced. At 11,500 creeking noise when turning left/right. Had to have rear axles & rear differential replaced.

- Greenlawn, NY, USA

problem #21

Apr 032019

Wrangler

  • 50 miles
Purchased new 2018 Jeep Wrangler on Monday April 1,2019. Noticed vehicle was leaking in driveway less then 24 hours after purchase. Called dealer and returned vehicle for evaluation of leak. Issue-factory defective transmission. Had not been thoroughly inspected prior to delivery and was delivered to us with factory defective transmission due to cracked casing.

- Wynantskill, NY, USA

problem #20

Feb 012019

Wrangler

  • 27,000 miles
Start engine, place foot on brake pedal, put vehicle in reverse. Before even letting foot completely off of brake pedal engine begins to stutter and completely stalls out. Have to put vehicle back in park and start vehicle back up and start process all over again hoping that vehicles engine does not continue to stall. Started happening approximately 3-months ago. Took vehicle to rouen Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram in woodville, Ohio. They kept overnight to try to replicate issue but stated that they were not able to duplicate. They did end up upgrading software on a control module in hopes that it would solve this issue. It did not. They did state that since the issue had been documented on their end that if a recall or safety issue was released by Chrysler that whatever the problem was would be fixed at no charge - even if vehicle was beyond the manufacturer warranty. My concern is that this issue is occurring more often than not and is becoming a serious safety concern for my family. This issue needs to be addressed asap before a serious accident or injury occurs. I am kindly requesting that the manufacturer take a serious look at this issue and correct as they should. It should also be noted that I have several videos taken where this issue has occurred on several different occasions. Thank you.

- Bradner, OH, USA

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