Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Jeep Renegade owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that the check engine light had initially appeared on the instrument panel as the dynamic steering torque service, Service ESC system, Service HiIl-Start and the Traction Control warning lights would all appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a hissing sound would emit from the brake pedal as the pedal became firm and difficult to depress. In addition, the contact also stated that the steering wheel was loose while both idle and when steered. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was made to have it serviced. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate and exceed 45 MPH. While driving, the vehicle was slow to respond. The contact stated that the brake pedal remained depressed. The ABS warning light was flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal and heard a hissing sound, and the brake pedal became firm and difficult to depress. The contact stated that she applied added pressure to the brake pedal however, the brake pedal went to the floorboard and the vehicle coasted to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake booster had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
I was coming up to a red light with a car stopped ahead of me and trying to brake but my brakes did not effectively slow my car so I rear ended the car in front of me going about 10mph or 15mph and his car had zero damage but my car would not turn off (push to start was not working) and my engine burst into flames and the whole front of my car burned.
While in park and the parking brake engaged, I then went to disengage my automatic parking brake, received a service automatic parking brake system and my brakes would not disengage. I could not move my car. After research this is a common problem with the automatic braking system. I could have been in a very dire situation where I needed to move my vehicle and I could not. It was very scary. I then had my car towed to the Jeep dealership on September 23, 2023 and they have yet to diagnose the issue. I did speak with a mechanic and he stated he has known of the issues and he thought there may be a recall issued. I can not find a recall but am in hopes that there will be one issued. As this is very unsafe especially if you're in a situation where you need to get out of.
The entire radio system begins to get white ghost lines which affects the rear back-up camera and rear safety systems, and it also affects the parking brakes when the vehicle is in park or stopped. The use of the radio system is required to do basic maintenance on the vehicle such as brake changes.
Constant engine stalling at highway speeds and normal speeds causing all engine power to cease in my vehicle leaving it to the mercy of my brakes which lock up upon power loss and makes it extremely difficult to stop. Brought vehicle to dealership multiple times just to be told that they could not duplicate the problem. It continues to happed and I have already had one small collision and have almost been forced off of a cliff 2 times since these problems have started.
Following a spontaneous fire that caused our Jeep to be in for repair from 11/9/18 to 1/19/19, almost immediately, the Jeep began to experience brake problems. On January 24, 2019 (only 5 days after a 10-week repair at the Jeep dealership), our son advised me that the 'hill assist service' light was coming on multiple times a day. I phoned brian caswell at shelor in christiansburg, va who advised me to have our son return the Jeep to the dealership which he did on January 25, 2019. Brian called me on January 29, 2019 and advised that they would be doing a warranty repair on the brake light switch. Brian also advised our son that the Jeep had to be towed while parked on the shelor lot because of the brake issue, so it is fortunate that our son made it from blacksburg to christiansburg, va without an accident. Our son picked up the Jeep on January 30, 2019. …
Bought my Jeep brand new in June 2018. Within the first month, the USB port that connects to car play would connect then disconnect when it rained. Took car to dealership and they said they couldn't identify the issue unless I brought it is when the problem happened and showed them. Which I couldn't because they were always closed when the problem occurred. Within that same month, when I pressed on the brakes it sounded like there was air in the brake line. Every so often, the satellite radio will cut out and say "acquiring signal". Car has also stalled out on me 3 times while driving. Twice beforehand, when I made a sharp right turn, the oil light would pop on for literally 2 seconds and go off. Car would stall out and when I checked the dip stick, it showed I had barely any oil. Manual says every 6000 miles. …
Red parking brake light and yellow brake light comes on with some loud annoying beeps as your driving. The attached photo is after I pulled over to take a picture and the other lights had went off. The first incident occurt less than a month after I purchased it. When I contacted the dealer I was told to "not worry about it, it was just an oddity". It has since happened a few other times. When taking it back to the dealer I'm told they can't replicate the issue, there's no codes, reports or recalls. The other photo is same situation but as you see one happened at -4 and the other instance was at 81. Loud engine noise. Fuel pump at gas station kicks of every few seconds no matter how long you wait to insert the nozzle or what angle its at. Was told by dealer all issues are because of temperature. All issues have occurred in temperatures ranging from -3 to 81 degrees. …
Brake complaints in other Renegade years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2018 Jeep Renegade?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Jeep Renegade, 5% of the model year's 444 complaints. The component named most often is antilock › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Renegade brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2018 Jeep Renegade, though it has 2 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 Renegade brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 75% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to brakes 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.