2018 Jeep Cherokee Driver assistance Problems

Hi I bought a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 2018 at GM Motors (Old Bridge), I have on open recall and I take it to the dealer, Jeep Dodge Chrysler located at Bloomfiel, I talked to Tony the supervisor and they refused to fix it,this incident happened last July he told me come back in 6 months so in December when I get there he told me they have a lot of work call them in January, and when I call them last month they told me this recall have been released that was a lie, he told me any Jeep Dodge Chrysler have this part anywhere in the country, I said Oky I can try to get it I don’t have to pay for the installation he said no cause the part should from Chrysler, when I didn’t know yet if it was a recall whe I saw the light 4wd SVC coming up on my dash board he tried to charge me 1300$ for a recall they should repair for free

NHTSA ID

11721853

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

Due to the unresolved recall I have experienced alot of issues. The most terrifying is the loss of power, my jeep has just stopped moving sometimes allowing me to het to 30 mph but no more. This has happened to me 3x all of which were on the highway. I no longer have use of my 4wd, which is extremely frustrating since it was the only reason I purchased this vehicle. It has released itself from the parking position. And my "service shifter" light it constantly on. I did put my car in the shop over a year ago they "fixed" it, unfortunately it broke shortly after since it is a recalled part.

NHTSA ID

11697520

Incident

Oct 21, 2025

Service Shifter warning light comes on

NHTSA ID

11681188

Incident

Aug 12, 2025

While driving my vehicle, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. I pulled over and when I put it into park it felt like it was the transmission. However, I had the transmission inspected and there were no issues. Prior to the happening the "service 4WD" light kept coming on. After the incident, the vehicle could not be driven over 45mph, the steering was so stiff I could hardly turn it, and every time I put the vehicle into drive or park it would feel like the transmission was about to drop.

NHTSA ID

11657620

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

Last week we noticed steering wheel controls not working, steering wheel heater .. cruise control ,, hands free,controls Today took in to Jeep dealer In superior Wi was told it is the Clock Spring , squib,, said that we have to replace entire unit including new airbag .. as we do not know for sure if until the work done ,air bag would deploy as per dealer ,he isn't 100 percent sure. ,and the entire thing has to be replaced at a hefty cost of 1000.00 as well as safety , being told that other larger trucks and Jeep models have had this as a recall I contacted JEEP and they said nothing they can do ,, but to hang on to receipts in the event of a future recall.. we do not feel that they are treating this as the safety issue that it truly is . This is after we have had rear driver caliper replaced over heating and seizing , at 800.00. also been told this is common for Jeep and another safety issue as well . The dealer said both are recall worthy on this vehicle .this has been all within 50 -60,000 miles.. We feel something needs to happen here before someone gets killed. Thank You

NHTSA ID

11569307

Incident

Jan 22, 2024

Braking system engaged while driving at ~40mph. Emergency brake also appeared to engage. Once completely stopped, vehicle brakes were locked up and vehicle had to be hauled for service.

NHTSA ID

11560306

Incident

Dec 10, 2023

The right side emergency brake engauged on its own after stopping had to reset the emergency brake to move again

NHTSA ID

11538786

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

the infotainment screen flashes a warning on red screen "911 Car Phone malfunction contact dealer". It has done this intermitently for the past couple of weeks. A few times I've started the vehicle and the screen is black, no back up camera, no a/c, no back up warning tone (I back up the vehicle from parking spot using the mirrors and the screen comes on a few minutes after vehicle is moving). I am concerned because I don't know what else isn't working and if something electrical will fail while driving. A couple of weeks ago I made an appt with the local jeep dealer and today was told I need a new radio at the cost of at least $1250 (the dealer has ordered a new radio could take a couple days to a few weeks he wasn't sure). When researching this problem online I saw numerous compaints similar to mine but I don't know if anyone has reported the issue to the NHTSA because the dealer states its a bad "radio" ...but if the 'radio' controls the backup camera, the climate controls and other functions on the screen it seems like more than just a radio problem to me. The vehicle has 55,000 miles so the screen hasn't been used excessively like a vehicle used for long distance daily commutes.

NHTSA ID

11532849

Incident

Jun 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact placed the gear shifter in the park and the restart message was displayed. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. While making a turn, the vehicle was difficult to steer. Additionally, the key fob was inoperable. There was an abnormal rattling sound detected. While driving, the vehicle was swaying. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were flashing. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that a wiring harness was loosened. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11528560

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

Mileage

120,000 mi

I believe TSB 08-054-18 does not take seriously enough the danger of an automatic car shutting off mid drive. Only by luck did I avoid being hit on a small road. This has happened pretty much every year of owning the car but I thought it was a fuel/oil issue related to weather until the shifter messages popped up this year.

NHTSA ID

11498327

Incident

Dec 14, 2022

On several separate occasions my automatic parking brake engaged without me engaging it. It will engage and will not disengage unless car is restarted. On one occasion I was travelling approximately 20 mph when the brake engage and caused the car to stall. The most recent occasion I was unable to disengage the parking brake and had to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer believes the issue is related to the EPB Module in the rear left side of the vehicle. Water has been leaking into the trunk and corroded the module and connector. I believe this is related to NHTSA investigation number PE 22-009. A technical service bulletin was issued related to this issue and it appears to be a widespread issue with this make/model.

NHTSA ID

11490009

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

The parking brake pops on when I'm driving done the road!!! Often times when I start my car and put my car in Reverse or Drive and remove my foot from the brake the parking brake pops on and I start sliding down the road until my car stops!!! The major issue is when I was driving down a HWY at 37MPH no on coming traffic or no traffic behind me thankfully my parking brake engages and I fly into the steering wheel with a seat belt on and thankfully my 5 year old was fully bucked into his car seat and left unharmed!!! Although what if my Jeep does this with other vehicles around??? It's a super big safety and hazard!!! I won't ever purchase another Jeep!!

NHTSA ID

11439267

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

While engaged in cruise control at 63mph, going up a hill, upon desending hill car unexpectedly starts to down shift and accelerate to 70+ before I disengage cruise control through brake pedal usage. This has happened repeatedly while desending hills in a mountain terrian area, Does not repeat while driving on flat roads.

NHTSA ID

11427701

Incident

Jul 29, 2021

Service shifter light on and air bag light on

NHTSA ID

11425091

Incident

Jul 9, 2021

I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET COMING TO A STOP SIGN. I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO PULL OUT, THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, PUTTERED AND THE ACCELERATED MORE THAN I GAVE IT GAS TO. THEN I GO TO THE GAS STATION & PULLIN INTO THE PARKING LOT, THE PARKING LOT HAS SOMEWHAT OF A STEEP INCLINE, WHEN I GO TO PULL IN, THE CAR PUTTERED AND THE DIES . AND THATS WHEN THE SERVICE SHIFTER CAME ON . I FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS OF THE SERVICE SHIFTER BUT THAT DIDNT WORK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON, IT STARTED UP FINE AND THE SERVICE SHIFTER TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ID

11416759

Incident

May 11, 2021

Mileage

41,000 mi

MY SENSORS ONLY WORK SOMETIMES, MY KEY FOB ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS. IT'S STARTING TO HAVE ISSUES. MY JEEP STOPPED WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN

NHTSA ID

11395547

Incident

Feb 10, 2021

Mileage

47,000 mi

SERVICE SHIFTER LIGHT, R,P,N,D, ALL LIGHTS TURN RED. HAPPENED MONTHS AGO AT 36,300 MILES, DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR A MONTH THEN CAME BACK. NOW COMES ON EVERY COUPLE WEEKS, SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES IN A ROW. TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHTS GO OFF. HAPPENS AT INTIAL START UP AND WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11384718

Incident

Jul 23, 2020

Mileage

36,300 mi

ALL THE ENGINE OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE CAR AND STARTED TO SMOKE WHILE I WAS IN MOTION AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT WAS PERFECTLY FINE AT FIRST. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED BUT MY ENGINE IS NOW MESSING UP AND I ALMOST GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11384653

Incident

Dec 7, 2020

Mileage

70,021 mi

WHILE DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON BY THE GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TON DRIVE. THE LIGHTS ARE RED. IT SAID SHIFT SYSTEM. WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CANNOT CHECK OIL, TIRE INFLATION, TEMPERATURE OR ANYTHING ELSE. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, TURNING, ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. WHAT COULD IT BE?

NHTSA ID

11365781

Incident

Oct 22, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi

FIRST INCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HENCE STATIONARY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER AND A A CLICKING NOISE WOULD BE HEARD WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND LET IT RUN FOR A WHILE, THEN I SHUT IT OFF TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OK AND IT DID NOT START AGAIN. SAME FLICKERING LIGHTS AND CLICKING NOISE. GOT IT JUMP STARTED AGAIN. DROVE TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE BATTERY CHECKED, WHILE TRYING TO PARK, VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WITH CAR ON DRIVE. AUTOZONE EMPLOYEE TRIED TO JUMP START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AUTOMATIC LOCKS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AS OF RIGHT NOW, UNKNOWN CAUSE OF VEHICLE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11363301

Incident

Oct 7, 2020

Mileage

22,400 mi

AFTER GETTING MY JEEP WORKED ON AT CROWN JEEP OF CHATTANOOGA FOR MY DASH BOARD SAYING 'SHIFTER SERVICE' THEY REPLACED MY SHIFTER BEZEL CLAIMING THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS AFTER MY JEEP THREE THE EBRAKE IN WHILE GOING 65 DOWN A HIGHWAY. TONIGHT 9/28/2020 WHILE BACKING OUT MY DRIVEWAY MY JEEP THREW THE EBRAKE ON ITSELF AGAIN. THEN DID IT WHILE GOING IN TOWARD AT 35 MPH. CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MISTAKES IN THEIR CARS

NHTSA ID

11361624

Incident

Sep 28, 2020

Mileage

38,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN, I LOST ALL CONTROL. A MESSAGE POPPED UP THAT SAID 'APPLY BRAKE AND PUT IN PARK OR NEUTRAL' THE ENGINE SLOWLY LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR BEEPS AND SAID 'LOW BATTERY' BUT ALL LIGHTS AND VOLTAGE READING WAS COMPLETELY NORMAL. I TURNED CAR OFF, RESTARTED CAR, AND IT WAS FINE, I DRIVE IT ANOTHER 100 METERS AND IT REPEATS THIS EXACT CYCLE ALL THE WAY HOME.

NHTSA ID

11341582

Incident

Jul 27, 2020

Mileage

23,132 mi

AS DRIVING VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN LOOSE ALL CONTROL. MESSAGE POPS UP THAT SAYS. APPLY BRAKE AND PUT IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329596

Incident

Jun 15, 2020

Mileage

40,000 mi

THE MESSAGE SERVICE SHIFTER APPEARS, AND ALL OF THE GEARS ON THE GEAR SHIFT LIGHT UP. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC REASON THIS HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, SOMETIMES WHILE IN MOTION AND BRAKING, SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED. IT STARTED WHEN MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER THE 32,000 MILE WARRANTY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS SEEMS TO BE A POPULAR ISSUE AFTER I RESEARCHED IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328716

Incident

Jun 13, 2020

Mileage

39,000 mi

WE HAVE A 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE. WE WERE DRIVING BACK HOME FROM CHICAGO AND WE HEAR A DING. WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER IS THE WORDS SERVICE SHIFTER POPPED UP. NEXT TO THE SHIFTER ALL THE LIGHTS WERE LIT UP. WE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WENT AWAY AND CONTINUED DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING WRONG AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE OTHER THAN THE SERVICE SHIFTER ISSUE.10 MINUTES LATER ON THE SAME DRIVE THE SERVICE SHIFTER WORDS POPPED UP AGAIN ALONG WITH THE LIGHTS NEXT TO THE SHIFTER. WE AGAIN PULLED OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. ABOUT 2-3 DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I WOULD SAY NOW THAT IT ONLY HAPPENS 1-2 TIMES A MONTH. EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS WE DO NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE WHEN IT POPS UP. WE INSTANTLY PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON. ITS ALWAYS WENT AWAY ONCE WE TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT'S DOES CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. IT'S NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES OTHER THAN THIS. WE HAVE READ THAT OTHER CARS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AND THAT ANOTHER JEEP CHEROKEE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THEY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY SEEM TO HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT THIS. WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OUR VEHICLE, OUR SAFETY, AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS.

NHTSA ID

11317266

Incident

Dec 22, 2019

Mileage

48,000 mi