Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the traffic light, with the START/STOP mode engaged, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags deployed. The contact stated that the forward collision automatic braking system failed to engage. The contact sustained back pain. The contact also sustained trauma and had been seeking assistance from a therapist. The occupant of the other vehicle did not sustain injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was totaled. The contacted related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V426000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
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 owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while attempting to park and exit the vehicle through the front driver's side door, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated in reverse. As a result of the failure, the driver's side door struck her arm and leg causing injuries. The contact stated that the vehicle drove off a cliff, and one of the tires experienced a blowout and the bumper became loose. The air bags had not deployed. Medical attention was not sought. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 36,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while starting the vehicle the PCM warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control) and that the contact had to pay out of pocket for all future repairs. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced at the dealer per the recall but is experiencing issues. A warning light keeps appearing even after the vehicle's powertrain control module was reprogrammed.
The UConnect display on my vehicle is phantom pressing buttons, going to different screens, turning things on and off as I drive. Yesterday, I was put in a EXTREMELY unsafe situation with my vehicle where the UConnect screen turned off my blind spot detection. I was unaware until I attempted to merge into another lane and hit another car!!! I called UConnect and Jeep and they told me they won't do anything because I'm not the first owner of the car and that it can't be replaced but for 1,000 of dollars. I feel like this should be repaired by Courtesy because this is a safety issue.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the safety hazard warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V332000 (Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,858.
I purchased my 2018 Jeep Cherokee right off the dealership lot in Lynnfield MA in August of 2018. I then have had on going issues. Starting with strange squilling sound coming from back of vehicle,this was never found reason by technician but they replaced engine air filter jume 2020, then my heater wasn't working in dec.2020, replaced motor blower with wheel, then may2021 my vehicle just shut down as I was driving on the highway to work at night no prior warnings beforehand, lucky no one was hurt towed in and no start and transmission was stuck no fuel pressure, dtc related and shorted fuel pump. Replaced module fuel pump level unit. Now just October 29,2021 my vehicle is not starting I jumped the battery and lights come on but vehicle won't start. Dealership I purchased vehicle from won't contact me back so I towed the vehicle to them and still no response. …
While driving, all the light on the dashboard come on. When this happens the speedometer is not working the windshield wipers come on. The emergency brake light is on, the car shifts out of gear and the turning signals don't work and the hazard lights won't work. This is all happening at the same time. I'm unable to inform people on the road that I'm in distress because my hazard light won't work I don't know how fast or slow I'm going. I can't inform the people on the road that I want to change lanes. Then after a while all the lights on the dashboard would go out and the check engine light would remain on for maybe two days and than go out. This problem has been going on since January I have paid thousands of dollars attempting to get this problem fixed. …
Afternoon 28/11/2022. On I275 North near Exit 50. Tha cruise control turned on and the car started speeding up. I almost ran into the back of a truck in Front of me. I applied the brake and the cruise control turned off. Also the radio won't stay on station and occasionally the seat heaters come on by without touching any controls.
Vehicle unexpectedly accelerated on its own while I was braking. Had I not been breaking, I would've gotten in a car accident. Even letting off the brake slightly caused the vehicle to jerk forward quickly and aggressively until I slammed on the brake again. This is the 2nd time this has happened now.
Acceleration complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4% of the model year's 855 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 8,000 miles, and 73% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.