Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Jeep Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and lowering the sun visor due to the sun glaring into his face, the contact stated that the sun visor detached from a retaining pin on the sun visor arm and hit the contact in the face. The contact stated that he was so startled from the strike of the sun visor that he swerved to the left and almost into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that he was able to place the sun visor into the closed position, but that whenever the sun visor was unhooked, it was hanging straight down and was blocking a portion of the windshield, reducing his visibility while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the side view mirror toggle switch was no longer functioning, and the contact was not able to adjust the position of the driver's and passenger's side view mirrors. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that there was rust was forming on the driver's side door hinges. The contact checked the passenger's side door and there was a small amount of rust forming on the door hinges. The contact examined the door and saw that the entire bottom length of the passenger's side door was rusting out. The contact drove the vehicle to the body shop of the local dealer. The vehicle was checked, and the contact was informed that the doors needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the body shop that the rusting on the passenger's and driver's side doors and hinges was a known failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,673.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while he was sitting at a stop light, the service shifter warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the service shifter was inoperable, and the vehicle would not move. The contact stated he turned the vehicle off and back on but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failed service shifter and the service shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that in addition, the vehicle had a corrosion failure. The contact stated that the engine fan continuously came on, and it prompted the contact to check the antifreeze level. The contact stated when he removed the antifreeze container's top he noticed a rust bubble on the opening of the container. …
After several decades of producing the JK model Wrangler, Jeep transitioned to a JL model midyear 2018. There are essentially two distinct 2018 Jeep Wrangler models. Jeep (Stellantis) has accepted responsibility for a safety defect for the JL model years 2019 through current. This recognized defect affects heavy corrosion on the hinges for the doors which creates an extreme safety concern. My 2018 JL Wrangler has the same failure, same part, same time frame, but was unjustly excluded by build date. 6 of the 8 door hinges and surrounding body have various levels of corrosion. My dealer just completed a recall for a steering damper which is widely categorized as a concern for 2018 and 2019 JL Wranglers. This is irrefutable proof that 2018 JL Wranglers were built through the same assembly line process as 2019 and later versions. …
I have a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL series. I was driving down the highway, and the soft top latches sheared off, causing the top to rip back off the top of the Jeep. These clips fell down inside the car and sharp plastic pieces hit my sunglasses. The place where they sheared off was not at any boat locations or latching sections. This year was at the curve where it boats on to the soft top roof frame. The flat section where the sheer occurred was about 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches by only a quarter inch thick. This thickness was not substantial enough to hold the roof locked down tight. This could have created an accident as I was going down the highway at 60 miles an hour almost losing control of the vehicle. I have visited the dealer and called Jeep. Customer care they offer no support. …
My 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL has a known corrosion issue TSB31-001-19 and TSB31-002-20. Corrosion on doors and hinges and spot welds. I have called local dealers and they won't help. I got with the Jeep help line and they gave me a case number and said they would not be doing anything about it. They never gave me the opportunity to send pictures of corrosion in said areas. There is a Goodwill program that I asked about and was refused so I'm reaching out to the NHTSA and BBB to get some help with this issue. This is a well known and documented issue and not owner negligence. The Case# given to me was 94287282.
I purchased my 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport S 4 door in May of 2021. During the summer, while riding down the road, I had my soft top convertible top back. Upon closing the top when reaching home, the cover had become detached from tent assembly. I am just wondering if this was a apart of the safety recall for 2018 Jeep Wranglers, and if it was, how can I tell if this problem that was addressed with the vehicle I own now and fixed. I have had to buy a replacement top which is being installed on 9-19-2022. The cost is $1764.22, which I will not have an invoice for until they have completed the install.
My soft top has never been unzipped, and the back plastic windshield has started to come apart. This causes water to get into my car when it rains. So much water got into my car from the exposed opening in the back window, my car jack actually rusted and cannot be used, so now I have no jack for my car. This opening also causes bugs to get in and lay eyes or make nests, putting me at potential risk to get stung. The water has also caused a build up of dirt on the back windshield, causing extreme difficulty to see out of the back windshield.
Driver side sun visor has a failed connection to the vehicle frame, resulting in the visor falling down in front of the driver's field of view. This happened spontaneously and nearly resulted in a crash. This is an issue many owners of Jeep Wrangler JLs have experienced. The design of this connection has not changed. Please reference these Jeep owner websites for more examples. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/sun-visor-broken.37957/page-21 https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/sun-visor-fix.44865/
There is a missing weld on the lower passenger rear control arm bracket that looks like a manufacture defect. I recently started hearing a clanging noise and brought it to the mechanic. I was not put at risk of safety (for the tie being). The problem has been confirmed and looked at ONLY by a mechanic. There were no warning lights. How do i get the welding fixed? the dealer will not help me repair it.
Related recalls
Structure › Frame and members
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the track bar bracket welds, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 17, 2018.
Body complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 97 complaints about the body & structure of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, 5% of the model year's 1,827 complaints. The component named most often is body (90 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Wrangler body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-675 (frame and members, Sep 28, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Wrangler body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 4,000 miles, and 90% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure 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.