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 Wrangler owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, his wife noticed a strong burning odor coming from underneath the vehicle. . The contact's wife drove the vehicle out of the garage and parked outside. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch was fractured, had failed, and had a burning smell. The dealer also diagnosed that the engine RPMs rev up between shifts of the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V028000 (POWER TRAIN) was completed on the vehicle in 2021 to prevent transmission clutch failure. …
The contact owned a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle had lost power and had shifting issues with the manual transmission. The contact noticed smoke from under the hood and tried to pull to the side of the road. While pulling to the side of the road, under the hood had caught on fire. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road safely. The automatic shift warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a scrapyard. The origin of the fire was unknown. The fire was located under the hood. The fire department had extinguished the fire. A fire department report was not filed. A police department report was not filed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, he noticed an abnormal melted metal odor. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he inspected the hood and underneath the vehicle, but no issues were found. The contact stated that the odor persisted as he was driving back to his residence. The contact also stated that while changing gears, the clutch went down to the floorboard and failed to rise. Additionally, the gear shifter was loose, and the transmission seemed to be on neutral (N). The contact stated that another driver then alerted him that there was fire in the front of the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled to the side of the road. The contact then saw fire coming from the cowl. The contact and his partner immediately exited the vehicle. The contact then remove his belongings from the rear seats. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he noticed a burning odor. Additionally, the contact stated that he heard an abnormal grinding sound and noticed that there were unknown black fragments propelling from underneath the rear of the vehicle. The contact then noticed steam rising from underneath the hood. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon attempting to lift the hood, he noticed that the hood was significantly hot. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down. An exclamation warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. …
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 received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she shifted into 3rd gear and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while in 6th gear. The contact then stated that he heard a loud screaming sound coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle remained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the automatic start warning light intermittently illuminated; however, when the failure occurred, the automatic start failed to operate and disengaged, preventing the rear-view camera from operating as designed. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while at a complete stop, she noticed an abnormal overheating odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: [redacted] (Power Train) was performed. The contact stated that after the repair, the message "Service Transmission" was displayed. Additionally, the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was driven back to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure could be caused by a computer malfunction or a pre-existing issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to another dealer for repair. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift out of first gear and failed to exceed 8 MPH. The RPM was elevated almost to the red line. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times, and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact later purchased a portable diagnostic tester. The contact retrieved DTC: U414 (Transmission Control Module Failure). The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the diagnostic test. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the transmission was slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a second mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided temporary vehicle rental assistance. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V116000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from underneath the floorboard. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, and smoke was coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated he was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the transmission case was cracked open and severely damaged, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. …
Related recalls
Power train › Clutch assembly
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024.
Power train › Clutch assembly
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Remedy: FCA US LLC will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability when clutch assembly temperatures rise to a level that may damage the inner pressure plate, free of charge." FCA has…
Power train › Clutch assembly
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reroute a wire harness and inspect the clutch system, and replace components as needed. The recall began April 30, 2020.
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 Wrangler years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
NHTSA has 177 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, 10% of the model year's 1,827 complaints. The component named most often is clutch assembly (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-116 (clutch assembly, Feb 23, 2023); NHTSA recall 21V-028 (clutch assembly, Jan 28, 2021); NHTSA recall 20V-124 (clutch assembly, Mar 3, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Wrangler transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 13 fires 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.