Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 55,575 miles was parked in a parking garage all day in Brooklyn NY and when the vehicle was move to the front of the garage by parking attendants the engine started smoking and caught fire. There were no leaks, dashboard symbols or open recalls to cause the fire; additionally the car was linked to a iPhone App CarRx that can scan for any issue and no issue noted. This engine fire not only put all of the other vehicles in the park garage at risk of catching fire but the parking garage sits under a luxury apartment building putting the working and residents at risk. Additionally I commute between Brooklyn and NJ 3x a week and cant imagine what would have happened if I was driving the vehicle over the Brooklyn Bridge, on the Brooklyn Queens Express or in the Holland Tunnel during high commuter rush hour traffic. …
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 that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted, and a short distance later, the failure persisted. The contact stated that there were several attempts to restart the vehicle. However, the failure persisted. The message "Shift to P then Desired Gear" was displayed. The contact continued to drive and arrived at the workplace. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle jerked while driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V011000 (POWER TRAIN). However, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact was able to move the gear shifter without first depressing the brake pedal. In addition, the "Service 4WD" and "Service ABS" messages were displayed on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. While with the independent mechanic, the vehicle failed to move while shifted in reverse(R). The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and the drivetrain control module, and the transmission control module were replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics); however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 88,312.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V838000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact called a second dealer, Benson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram [redacted] ); who also confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact's wife owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the ABS, brake lights, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear tires locked up inadvertently, without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that there was a pulsation coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact believed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS control module and the hydraulic control module (HCU) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 5-10 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact was able to drive the vehicle on the shoulder of the highway. The contact cycled the gear selector and the transmission engaged as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact stated while driving on a busy highway, the engine seized. The vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 96,010.
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 contact's wife owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would surge forward. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while reversing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with the transmission; however, the parts to repair the vehicle were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 9% of the model year's 855 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-280 (automatic transmission, May 1, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 51% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.