Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 owned a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she smelled a burning odor and noticed dark smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that as she opened the driver's side door to exit the vehicle, the engine exploded, and the hood opened and caught on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with assistance. The contact sustained an injury to the ankle but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,400.
The contact's sister owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while the vehicle was idling at a stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's sister was able to restart the vehicle after approximately 5 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an oil change was performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that on a separate occasion while her sister was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle abruptly jerked and stalled. The contact's sister was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact's sister to bring the vehicle back to the dealer however, the contact's sister declined to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for regular maintenance, and while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was notified of a manufacturer recall related to a possible oil consumption failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle should be returned after driving for 1,500 miles for a consumption test. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to the oil consumption test. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he was informed by the dealer that the engine had been replaced; however, after retrieving the vehicle the oil consumption failure persisted. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that there was no documentation that the engine had been replaced. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and added approximately three quarts of oil to the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that there was an oil leak. The contact stated that the vehicle had recently received an oil change in December 2025. The vehicle had only been driven 1,200 miles since the oil change was performed. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had exceeded the mileage limitation for the extended warranty coverage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated. The Engine Overheat message was displayed and the coolant warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and also to an independent mechanic on separate occasions, where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket due to coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The vehicle was then towed to Jim Burke Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1409 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203) where it was diagnosed that oil and coolant had mixed in the engine, causing damage to the radiator, engine, and thermostat. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at Jim Burke Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
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 the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was stopped but the engine continued running. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed an oil change and fuel injection service. The contact was informed to drive the vehicle and bring it back to the dealer. Upon returning to the local dealer, the contact was informed that the vehicle had failed the test and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,334.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 55 MPH the vehicle started losing automotive power. The contact attempted to depress the accelerator several times; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle on the side of the highway and used a diagnostic tool to diagnose the vehicle. The contact retrieved DTC: U1428 and D2171. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to continue driving. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,192.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while opening the driver's side door water was leaking from underneath the door, causing electrical issue with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the computer was replaced; however, the failure persisted. On another occasion, while starting the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no cause for the issue was found. The contact also stated that the trunk would independently open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 1,300.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The shift indicator warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the shift to park message was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the failure was self-corrected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V731000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 18V524000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Engine complaints in other Renegade years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2018 Jeep Renegade?
NHTSA has 192 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2018 Jeep Renegade, 43% of the model year's 444 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Renegade engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.