97 complaints reported

2018 Jeep Cherokee UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
97
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Apr 2026

The vehicle is experiencing a malfunction involving the Power Transfer Unit (PTU), which is currently subject to an open safety recall. The vehicle has developed severe drivability issues consistent with PTU failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This condition places my safety and the satety of others at risk because the PTU defect can result in loss of drive power and/or failure of the vehicle to remain securely in park, increasing the risk of a crash or unintended vehicle movement. I contacted an authorized Jeep dealership to schedule service for the safety recall. When I presented the vehicle for the recall appointment, I was informed that no remedy was available and the vehicle was not inspected. As a result, the problem has not yet been confirmed through a full dealership inspection. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, or insurance representatives. Prior to seeking recall service, the vehicle exhibited drivability symptoms consistent with PTU malfunction, including: loss of drive power while moving, the Electronic Stability Control light appearing, consistent and loud shaking/clanking of the vehicle while driving, which becomes incredibly severe with speed, preventing me from driving on the interstate. These symptoms prompted me to schedule the recall appointment. I was turned away without inspection due to the lack of an available remedy.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2024
Feb 2026

Have 1 safety recall, have taken to jeep dealer and they have confirmed PTU not working light on dash is valid and 4x4 is not working, but they will not order new PTU. Jeep has not offered loaner vehicle or to buy back vehicle that is a lemon! It has been over a year since recall was issued without any results!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Feb 2025
Dec 2025

My PTU actuator has failed on my Jeep. I know there is a recall for the two-speed actuator and mine is a single speed, but I have the fact same failure and think my vehicle should also be recalled. I have had many issues that I have paid out of pocket for parts failing in my Jeep that are common problems with jeeps and always recalled except mine. It makes no sense to me. How can I have all the same failures but not qualify?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: May 2025
Nov 2025

PTU/Power transfer unit issues

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Sep 2025
Jul 2025

My 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (VIN: [XXX] ) is affected by safety recall NHTSA #25V-011 (Recall #01C – 2017-2019 KL Two Speed PTU Failure). The recall was issued on 01/23/2025, but Jeep/Stellantis has not provided a remedy or timeline for repair. This issue poses a serious safety risk, and the manufacturer’s failure to supply a remedy in a timely manner is unacceptable. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate and require the manufacturer to provide an immediate fix or interim solution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2025
Jun 2025

Received notification of a recall for my jeep called and they stated that there is no fix but if something happens while I’m driving that jeep would have to consume the cost this is unacceptable! This was 3/15/25 still no fix

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2025
May 2025

We received the warning light "Service 4WD" on May 21, 2025. Our mechanic scanned it on May 27, 2025 and got code C14A7-97 which is for the PTU. This problem has been recalled on certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee's but our 2018 vehicle is not included in the recall, even though we are experiencing the exact same issue as the recalled vehicles. According to reports this issue can cause a loss of power and cause the vehicle to crash without warning. The NHTSA recall number is 25V011000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: May 2025
May 2025

My Jeep Cherokee is under NHTSA Recall 25V-011 / Manufacturer Recall 01C for a defect in the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) that can cause sudden loss of power while driving or loss of PARK while stationary, both posing crash risks. The recall was issued in January 2025 and as of September 2025 the remedy is still not available. The defect has not been inspected or confirmed by a dealer since FCA/Stellantis has not released the fix.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2025
May 2025

Vehicle stalls when driving, will start moving again when put into park and then back into drive

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2025
Apr 2025

At this time, the manufacture is unable to remedy the recall issues for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee that could affect the safety of the vehicle.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Apr 2025
Mar 2025

I started noticing a knocking, vibrating sound as I accelerated. I took it to several places, and they couldn’t figure it out. Then, last Saturday, I was driving on the interstate, and completely lost power. I was stranded with no shoulder to go to. I tried to put it in park, and it almost rolled away. I took it to a Jeep dealer, and they told me it was the ptu, which they can’t do anything with because there is no fix. I am stranded with no vehicle. I offered to pay out of pocket for the repair, but there is no repair.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Aug 2025
Jan 2025

4wd service message pops up and the car shuts on and off while driving I thought it was the battery so I replaced and the problems stop but the problems came back

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Sep 2024
Oct 2024

i took my jeep in august 2024 to repair a recall (W20) pcm a month later i started experiencing stalling. engine will start fine but after while driving car will stall. almost got hit from behind one of the times. car will stall in traffic and no restart itself sometimes. other times it quickly restarts and feels fine. i got an oil change today. but stil having the issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Oct 2024
Oct 2024

Vehicle keeps having the service shifter light come on with all of the "PRDN" lights turning red. I have to quickly try and get off of the road and see if I can get my car into "Park" and then turn the car off, let it sit for a few minutes and then turn the car back on. There is not a recall on this, but I can see that a lot of people with this same type of vehicle and same year have had this issue. The shifter wiring is faulty and also needs updates or else this can cause the vehicle to completely turn off while driving which could in turn cause an accident.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Sep 2024
Jul 2024

I keep getting an warning that my shifter needs to serviced. After much research, I've discovered that this is a known and common problem with Jeep Cherokees. It should absolutely be a safety recall and fixed at no cost to the customers.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jul 2024
Apr 2024

I went in to my dealership Nov. 24,2023 for a water leak to the driver side floor and to the back seat behind the driver side. It was starting to smell so I used some carpet cleaner to get rid of the smell. They replaced the panel cowl side trims on both sides of the windshield. I told them that only driver side floor and back seat behind the driver was wet. Never said that there was a water on the passenger side floor? Charged me $543.22. Had to go back a second time because it was still leaking on Dec. 20,2023. This time they put caulking to solve the problem at no charge. Now April 19,2024 I still noticed that it's leaking after I washed my vehicle. So now I have to go in a third time in less than 6 months. Never solved my water leak after paying them $543.22. I do believe that this water leak was happening possibly since day 1 having the vehicle. I bought weathertech floor mats once I purchased my vehicle. I had a liner on the floor and then the floor mat on top. So its like using 2 mats. Never thought to look underneath my mats for a water leak. I do not want this problem to persist and possibly have black mold in my vehicle. Already contacted Jeep customer service if they can help resolve this issue and If they can provide me with a rental car for my inconvenience. They did provide me a case number. Still waiting for their response. Please let me know if you need more information. Thank you.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Nov 2023
Apr 2024

Every now & then the menu will pop up & say service shifter & won't allow you to exit that notification & all the lights on the shifter turn red at the same time. The only way to reset it is to turn the jeep off & back on again. I've gone a couple months now without it happening but for awhile it was doing it almost every day. It doesn't seem to affect the driving at all though which is odd. However there has been a pretty consistent jerking when accelerating into higher gears. Not sure if it's related or not. My dealership said there was nothing wrong with my vehicle so i just keep dealing with it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jun 2023
Mar 2024

The car was showing a service 4wd alert which the dealer said the PTU needs to be replaced.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2024
Jan 2024

The PTU (Power Transfer Unit) is bad... I took it to the dealership prior to my extended warranty expired. The whole shifter would light up (D,N,R, L,2) it displayed service shifter but it was intermittent so when I would take it in to Chrystler, Jeep dealership the warning sign on the dash nor all the shifter lights wouldn't display. The car finally broke down along with the transmission. I was carless for 8 months. The PTU I purchased was refurbished and its bad. The same thing was displaying on the dash (Service Shifter) and all the lights on the shifter have turned on as well. Intermittent once again. I know there were recalls for this from 2014 to 2017. Mine is a 2018 and I think it's the same problem. I was on the road making a left infront of a semi when the PTU went out in June 2023. causing damage to the trasmission. It has been a nightmare!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jun 2023
Dec 2023

While driving I receive warnings I need to service my shifter. Warning stays on instrument panel and disables all other settings and screen. Also all lights light up on shifter unable to see which gear the car is in.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2023
Oct 2023

Service Shifter warning comes on intermittently. All lights on shifter column light up so thankfully I know where to put shifter based on habit. Was repaired less than a year ago, and repaired almost 2 years prior to that as well. Scheduled next week to get repaired again for a 3rd time in less than 4 years. This is all being done at the dealership/certified Mopar service. Whatever is being done isn't the correct fix or there is a flaw somewhere. This shouldn't keep happening.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Oct 2023
Aug 2023

Message displayed on dash "service shifter"

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2023
May 2023

"Service Shifter" comes on, all lights next to shifter turn red. Have to turn vehicle completely off and on repeated number of times to correct.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2022
Apr 2023

The "service shifter" message came on while driving. This issue was repaired at the dealership before when I still had the warranty. They said it was faulty and repaired it. Now the light is on again when I have just 68000 miles. Sounds like it is faulty again. Should there be a recall?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Apr 2023
Dec 2022

Service shifter light had intermittently turned on/off since about 33,000 miles but after warranty expired. Mechanic shop says the issue is common with my car's make/model. If this is a common issue, a recall should be placed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2021

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Quick Summary

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee has 97 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.