Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
My vehicle will randomly have the check engine light come on, a service shifter light come on, and then lose the ability to steer. I have taken it to the dealership twice and told it was fixed. Now it is back at the dealership for the third time. As a result of this issue I was involved in a car accident when a van came into my lane and I was unable to avoid impact and they were able to leave the scene. This is a safety issue for not only myself and anyone in my car but also anyone on the road around me. I did not file a police report regarding the accident as my situation involves a language barrier and I was so upset I just wanted to get home and be safe. Now I am in a state of fear anytime I drive my vehicle. I did have passengers and witnesses for two different instances where our lives were put in jeopordy because of this issue. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the ABS, Transmission, and ESC warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there were several software updates available for the engine and power train. The updates were completed, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer. The dealer diagnosed the warning lights and applied other software updates. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while turning left onto a residential street, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the dealer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated driving 30-35 MPH, the ABS warning light, the check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The odometer became inoperable. The vehicle lost power steering functionality and shifted into Accessory Mode. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond while attempting to drive. Additionally, the vehicle failed to shut off as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle remained in Accessory Mode for 15 minutes and restarted independently. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The vehicle was taken several timed to the Ford dealer where it was purchased; however, the dealer could not duplicate the failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and making a slight left turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the computer system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the power steering became inoperable for two seconds and then returned to normal independently. The contact stated that during the second failure, an attempt was made to start the vehicle; however, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure recurred. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and turning the steering wheel in either direction, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the steering gearbox to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called a second local dealer: Gupton Motors, Inc (3450 Tom Austin Hwy, Springfield, TN 37172:[phone]), and made an appointment to service the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,409.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at high rates of speed, the contact lost steering control of the vehicle after driving over a bump in the roadway and the front end of the vehicle started shaking uncontrollably. The contact stated that the failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the failure was related to the steering damper. Additionally, the contact was informed that the part needed to be replaced every three years. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK. The contact stated that twice while driving approximately 40-60 MPH, the front end was violently shaking. After stopping, the vibration seized, and the vehicle was driven at slower speeds. While driving over a bump or expansion bridge, the failure recurred. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V343000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the steering damper needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, and driving over a bumpy road surface, the vehicle started wobbling. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the failure was diagnosed with steering damper failure. The contact was informed that the steering damper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The contact related the failure with Customer Satisfaction Notification Program: V41 Steering Damper. The failure mileage was 66,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the ABS fuse had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired regarding the failure of the steering wheel. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls
Steering
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2018.
NHTSA investigations
Frame weld deficiencies
On September 16, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted Defect Petition DP18-004 and opened Preliminary Evaluation PE19-012 to investigate allegations of deficient frame welds and their potential safety related effects on 2018-2019 Jeep Wranglers. Due to a previous steering related recall that was caused by a misaligned weld on the front track bar (NHTSA Recall No.
Frame Weld Deficiencies
In a letter received on October 24, 2018, a citizen petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into frame weld deficiencies on model year (MY) 2018 'JL' Jeep Wrangler vehicles.
Steering complaints in other Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 1,117 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, 61% of the model year's 1,827 complaints. The component named most often is column (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Wrangler steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-343 (steering, May 25, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Wrangler steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 91% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to steering 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.