Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost electrical power. The message "Check Your Transmission" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated he veered to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle after 20 minutes. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer Normandin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT (900 Capitol Expressway Auto Mall, San Jose, CA 95136) who diagnosed that the alternator and water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving with the vehicle becoming overheated. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would start and shift out of park without depressing the brake pedal. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the adaptive cruise control mode and the automatic Start/Stop feature were no longer operative. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V426000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that service brake hydraulic system had failed. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering while idling. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart the following day. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Several messages indicating the air bag, the Engine Stop/Start system, the FWD system failures, and other unknown failures were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving on another occasion. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and approaching her residence, the vehicle lost electrical power, causing the power steering and brakes to become inoperable. The messages "Service Stability", "Service Transmission" and other unknown messages were displayed. Additionally, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road, where she continued driving until the vehicle stopped in front of her residence. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted and operated as needed the following day. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred a week and half later. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where the alternator was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred while returning to her residence. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service air Suspension" warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the headlights independently turn on and off, the doors independently locked and unlocked, and the radio independently changes stations. In addition, the contact stated that the failure caused the headlights to burn out prematurely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact was later informed that there was moisture in the wires. The contact was informed that the moisture had been cleaned from the wires. The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired. The contact disagreed with the diagnostic test and the repair. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while working on his vehicle at a friend's home, he discovered that all of the exterior lights, except the driver's side headlight, failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the interior lights would intermittently flash on and off without warning. The contact attempted to reset the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact initially took the vehicle to the dealer where it was purchased; Cloninger Ford (511 Jake Alexander Blvd S, Salisbury, NC 28147) and was informed that they could not service his vehicle. The contact then called another dealer where he described the failure and was informed that the body control module was corroded and needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the back-over prevention APP independently uninstalled. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had not been started in eight days. In addition, the stabili-trak warning light had illuminated a month prior, which was the initial failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed transfer case. The contact was informed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to two additional dealers for confirmation; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure might be related to the UCONNECT connection. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while taking driving from a stop, the vehicle briefly began to accelerate but then suddenly lost motive power. The contact was stuck in the middle of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an audible clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. The Engine STOP/START warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Engine STOP/START system, resulting in damages to the auxiliary battery and the starter. The contact was informed that the auxiliary battery had a damaged cell, and that the engine starter had a short circuit. The vehicle was not repaired but parts to repair the vehicle were ordered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, the instrument panel board inadvertently engaged on its own turning the seat warmer on and increasing the air conditioner temperature. The contact also stated that the navigation system started malfunctioning and the vehicle was making phone calls independently while her phone was connected to Bluetooth. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnosis. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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…
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.
Electrical system › Software
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…
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.
Electrical complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 339 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 40% of the model year's 855 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-524 (front underhood, Aug 9, 2018); NHTSA recall 18V-332 (software, May 17, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 49% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 6 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.