2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Complaints

Vehicle Information: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel 4x4Component Affected: Fuel/Propulsion System (High-Pressure Fuel Pump) Safety Incident Narrative: The vehicle previously underwent a mandatory manufacturer safety recall replacement for the Bosch CP4 High-Pressure Fuel Pump under FCA Safety Recall Z46 (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V-406). At 111,948 miles, while operating the vehicle, the engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure accompanied by an immediate and total loss of engine oil pressure. This caused the engine to suddenly stall and lose all propulsion while in motion, creating an immediate and severe highway safety hazard to myself and surrounding traffic.The vehicle was towed to an authorized Jeep dealership under Repair Order #5823328. The manufacturer (Stellantis) and the dealership are currently refusing to authorize diagnostic teardown labor or a mechanical review of the internal safety recall componentry to investigate an acute internal fuel-pump shaft seal leak or residual micro-particle metallic debris from the prior campaign. An internal drive-shaft seal failure on this replacement pump architecture dumps raw diesel fuel directly into the engine's internal oil crankcase, causing severe oil dilution, an immediate collapse of structural oil pressure, and catastrophic engine seizure. The manufacturer is attempting to shift 100% of the financial burden ($25,000 engine replacement cost) onto the consumer, actively obstructing an essential safety failure investigation into a federally recalled component.

NHTSA ID

11756569

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

The transmission goes into neutral. It has gone into neutral on the highway,local streets, also from a stop. From a stop in drive the electronic D on the instrument panel starts flashing. I turn on the hazards put transmission shifter in Park and start engine. This problem is intermittent, it can be cold or hot, it has happened 4x in 2 years. No accidents thankfully. The engine does not stall, the transmission goes into neutral.

NHTSA ID

11756332

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

Went for an oil change and learn the cooler has a leak. Car was getting over heated. What cause this issue as I just got it in Feb.2026

NHTSA ID

11755365

Incident

Aug 6, 2026

I was initially traveling at the posted speed limit of 65 when all of a sudden the engine started shaking profusely, and I lost total power of the vehicle. Therefore, I had to immediately jump onto the shoulder without being rear ended and come to a complete stop while trying to coast safely to a place so I wouldn’t be hit by traffic . My car was then brought to the local Jeep dealership and they had told me that my left camshaft needs to be replaced also the lifters rockers and oil cooler need to be replaced as well. I have not drove my vehicle since it’s been seen by the dealer , I was told that any type of Driving could completely mess up my engine, so it’s been sitting for a couple of months .

NHTSA ID

11755335

Incident

Jan 15, 2026

This car seat does not click into the base properly and I cannot loosen the straps properly. This form does not let me upload videos however, I do have video evidence of both malfunctions happening

NHTSA ID

11754549

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

VEHICLE & PURCHASE DETAILS: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (3.6L V6 Pentastar Engine). Purchased on/around April 27 in agreement with my credit union. INCIDENT & DEFECT DESCRIPTION: Upon taking delivery, the vehicle immediately displayed diagnostic warning codes. The selling dealer attempted diagnosis/repair for a week before directing me to take it to Bonham CDJR in Bonham, TX. Bonham CDJR cleared the codes and returned the vehicle. A couple of weeks later, while my wife was driving home, the engine suddenly and severely overheated without warning. I instructed her to pull over immediately to prevent engine destruction or stall in active traffic. My wife was stranded on the roadside in extreme Texas heat until a flatbed wrecker towed the vehicle back to Bonham CDJR. WARRANTY OBSTRUCTION & KNOWN FAILURE POINT: Upon arrival at Bonham CDJR, I informed service advisors that my third-party warranty provider (First Guard) would handle coverage. However, the dealership demanded a $1,300 upfront, out-of-pocket engine teardown fee just to "prove" the cause of failure to the warranty company. The 3.6L V6 Pentastar platform is notorious for cracking plastic oil filter/cooler housing units and failing thermostat assemblies, causing rapid coolant loss and overheating. Requiring consumers to pay massive teardown fees out-of-pocket to diagnose a known, unaddressed manufacturer design flaw creates an administrative barrier that leaves defective, dangerous vehicles on the road. SAFETY HAZARD & IMPACT: Sudden engine overheating at driving speeds causes sudden power loss, severe traffic hazards, thermal fire risks, and roadside stranding in hazardous ambient heat. This ongoing ordeal has caused severe personal distress, financial strain, and loss of wages. REQUESTED ACTION: I request NHTSA open a safety defect investigation into 3.6L Pentastar engine cooling failures and mandate a manufacturer recall with consumer repair reimbursement.

NHTSA ID

11752136

Incident

Jun 8, 2026

I own a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel that has experienced repeated high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures despite completion of the NHTSA HPFP safety recall. After the recall was performed, my vehicle developed the exact failure described in the recall. Metal contamination was found in the fuel system, requiring replacement of the HPFP and major fuel system components. Approximately 13,000 miles later, during routine fuel filter maintenance, I suspected the failure had returned. I asked the dealership to inspect the fuel filters for metal contamination, but they declined. I then removed and cut open the filters myself and documented visible metal shavings consistent with the recall failure. This is the second occurrence of metal contamination after the recall repair. I retained the filters, saved fuel samples, and documented everything with photos and video. I provided this evidence to the dealership and Stellantis. A STAR case was opened, but the Stellantis District Manager instructed the dealership not to perform any repairs because the vehicle has no check engine light and remains operable. The recall warns that HPFP deterioration can contaminate the fuel system and cause a sudden loss of engine power, increasing the risk of a crash. It also states this failure may occur without warning lights. My concern is that Stellantis is requiring complete pump failure before authorizing repairs, despite documented evidence that the recall failure condition has returned. I still possess the contaminated filters, fuel samples, photographs, video, and service records and will provide them upon request. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether the recall remedy adequately corrects this defect and whether Stellantis' refusal to repair a vehicle exhibiting the same safety-related failure condition is appropriate.

NHTSA ID

11750690

Incident

Jul 15, 2026

while driving the car puts itself in park, then the gear shift D starts blinking and the dashboard says put into Park. I've took it to jeep to figure it out and fix it. i got it back and while on the highway it did it again causing me to almost get hit by several cars. I was on the highway doing the speed limit and no brake lights also when it happens. I took it back to jeep and they still have no clue but my jeep is to dangerous to drive period. There are not warning signs when it happens.

NHTSA ID

11750319

Incident

Jul 11, 2026

My mother went to open the door and the plastic covering of the handle had some how chipped or melted and she sliced her pointer finger down the middle. There was a massive loss of blood and she is anemic.

NHTSA ID

11749839

Incident

Jul 12, 2026

I was traveling south on Lee Jackson hwy in Staunton Va at about 40 to 45 mph and was t-boned on the right passenger side with the impact just in front of the passenger door and front quarter panel. The damage ended up being all the way to the right rear passenger door. None of the air bags or side curtain airbags deployed.

NHTSA ID

11747166

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

* Upon normal driving the vehicle suddenly began to run rough. At that point the engine light came on and began flashing. Yes, it is available for inspection * I was traveling at highway speeds with my two young son's in the vehicle, when out of nowhere we experienced a major loss in power, Forcing us to get to the far right lane and off on the next exit. * The problem has been Confirmed (Passenger Side intake camshaft has 5 out of 6 lobes significantly worn off. .119" of material missing as well as 2 holes on cylinder 6 piston. * It was inspected by and independent mechanic who discovered the damage to the camshafts and the piston. It was suggested that I return the vehicle to the dealer as it would be needing a new motor seeing as the damages were premature and catastrophic in nature. Upon initial inspection at the dealer, they failed to identify the 2 holes in cylinder 6 piston. Suggesting that the "said holes" were nothing other than flaked carbon deposits. * There were no warning lights or any symptoms that would have indicated anything was wrong.

NHTSA ID

11744663

Incident

Feb 21, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11743276

Incident

Apr 27, 2026

While driving my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2, the driver side Active Head Restraint deployed without any collision, rear impact, crash, or other triggering event. There was a sudden loud bang directly behind my head, which startled me and created an immediate safety distraction while the vehicle was in motion. I did not know what had happened at the time. The head restraint remains deployed/open and cannot be reset. The vehicle was not involved in a crash, there was no rear impact, and there was no airbag deployment. FCA/Stellantis has issued an X88 Active Head Restraint warranty extension for certain Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles involving inadvertent deployment of the front Active Head Restraint where it cannot be reset due to internal damage. My vehicle appears to have experienced the same failure mode, but Jeep/Stellantis has advised that my VIN does not qualify for X88 coverage, apparently because the vehicle was built after the selected warranty extension population. My vehicle build date is January 2018, with MDH 011623. I am filing this complaint because this was a safety related head restraint failure that occurred while driving without a collision. The sudden deployment caused a loud impact immediately behind my head and created a dangerous distraction. I am concerned that vehicles outside the current X88 warranty population may still be experiencing the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure. The vehicle was factory ordered and delivered in February 2018, which may explain the later January 2018 build date, but it is still a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and appears to have experienced the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure mode described in FCA’s X88 warranty extension.

NHTSA ID

11743217

Incident

Jun 5, 2026

The Cruise control pacing/follow option does not slow down/break and will rear end/strike any vehicle. The auto breaking does not work. The touch screen constantly cycles randomly changing map directions, radio stations, heat and air conditioning, seat heating and cooling. Puts driver at risk due to constant changes and alert sounds.

NHTSA ID

11743140

Incident

Jan 20, 2002

My daughter that is [XXX], her in the passenger seat, me driving were traveling down a street. I slowed to enter a turn lane going maybe 10 mph and heard a loud bang. I said "what was that noise." I glanced at my daughter she looked dazed and said "I don't know but something slammed into the back of my head." I pulled in where we were going and looked to find the head rest was popped open behind her head. There were no bumps, no impacts and not even high speed. This headrest mechanism literally deployed for no reason slamming at high speed into the back of her head and neck. I stopped called Mopar and made a complaint because it was right at 5pm and dealers were closing. She was slurring speech, dazed and repeating herself. Took her to the urgent care that sent me to the ER out of concern. They told me she may need head and neck images. The doctors and staff were so confused as to what I was even talking about. I showed them photos so they could see the situation. I was in the ER with her for 5 hours. She has a concussion. THESE HEADRESTS ARE DANGEROUS AND JUST INJURED A MINOR. WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE ARE NOT CALLING FOR RECALL. THIS ISNT JUST ABOUT EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT. THIS INJURY COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE AND THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING FLAWED HERE. I HAVE SEEN MANY OF THE SAME STORY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11741959

Incident

Jun 3, 2026

Headlight beams do not function. Beam lights come on upon starting car then turn off moments after. Then I am driving done the street in complete darkness. I have taken the Jeep to the dealership of purchase ( Elmhurst Chrysler/jeep/dodge Elmhurst Illinois 630-834-8000 ) 4 times over several months. They have confirmed the problem. Two days ago they had me replaced the battery. There was NO messages or other warnings that the lights have failed.

NHTSA ID

11741948

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

I was backing up my trailer and placed the jeep in park and set emergency brake while on an incline. I got out of the jeep and the vehicle proceeded to roll away approximately 3 feet. I jumped back towards the drivers seat to press the brake to stop it from rolling down the hill

NHTSA ID

11741140

Incident

May 31, 2026

Cylinder Misfires OBD-II code P0303 Engine Overheats after changed thermometer Fuel in the coolant system Coolant leaking from exhaust

NHTSA ID

11740706

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

While driving my Jeep Grand Cherokee, the front passenger headrest suddenly deployed forward with a loud popping/exploding sound. There was no collision, no impact, and no warning before it happened. Fortunately, no one was sitting in the passenger seat at the time. If a passenger had been seated there, the headrest could have struck them in the back of the head or neck and potentially caused serious injury. This appears to be a dangerous safety defect involving the Active Head Restraint system. Based on information I found from other Jeep Grand Cherokee owners reporting similar failures, the issue may involve a faulty plastic bracket or internal component in the Active Head Restraint that can fail under pressure and cause the headrest to deploy unexpectedly. Other owners have reported injuries such as head, neck, and concussion-type injuries from similar incidents. I am concerned that this failure happened during normal driving conditions and without any crash or trigger event. This creates a serious risk to vehicle occupants and could also startle the driver, potentially causing a crash. I am requesting that NHTSA review this issue and determine whether my vehicle is affected by an existing recall or whether additional investigation or recall action is needed.

NHTSA ID

11740448

Incident

May 1, 2026

The active head restraint on my driver seat deployed and pushed my head forward suddenly. I could not push my head back into position. This happened while driving on the evening of May 3. I have a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I was not able to reset the head rest position. I took the vehicle to the dealership. They said that the whole headrest needed to be replaced. It could not be reset because the molded plastic piece was degraded. From a search online this appears to be common in the 2014-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee with active head restraints. Even though this is a failure of the equipment, and other Jeep Grand Cherokees from 2014 -2018 received a 10-year extension on their head restraints, the dealership and Jeep Customer Care said that my vehicle is not covered. Nor will they let me buy a seat from them that does not use the active head restraint. They said that because My vehicle's VIN specifies a vehicle with active head restraints, they cannot sell me otherwise. I will not be comfortable driving this vehicle again with an active head restraint that could randomly fail and punch my head forward while I am in rush hour traffic. I believe this is a safety risk as it is disorienting to not know why your head is suddenly pushed down and forward while you are driving at 45 mph. Distracting the driver in such a way endangers the driver, passengers, and other vehicles' occupants on the same roadway. It throws off your view of the roadway and your mirrors. There were no warnings ahead of time.

NHTSA ID

11739582

Incident

May 3, 2026

On 5/72026@app 3:14pm after picking up one grandchild, and at a stop light on the way to p/u the other, the Jeep without warning just disengaged when the gas pedal was depressed, but to no avail. While frozen, the dashboard may have displayed something that was not noted in the panic to get the car moving! The internal panel was still illuminated, however the car would not move forwards although still in "Drive" with nothing having been switched, shifted or toggled except engagement of the brake to stop at the traffic light. The Jeep had to be placed in "Park", the starter button pressed, then pressed again to completely restart the vehicle. This was a potentially huge safety issue with many cars around us honking & rushing to pick up their own children, yet fortunately no one ran into us with our precious little rider!

NHTSA ID

11737894

Incident

May 7, 2026

The uconnect system or radio that has all the digital controls on it.Seems to do what it wants to whenever it wants to. It appears the delaminating underneath the the screen cover. Hey, it actually dialed 911, while my girlfriend borrowed my vehicle.A few weeks ago.

NHTSA ID

11736738

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

There are parts in the engine that malfunctioned and have caused fluids to leak into the engine. This is causing the engine to fail and requiring replacement. This issue started last year for me personally. The car has been to 2 mechanics and they both have diagnosed the issue , and to fix it requires full engine replacement . It’s a safety issue because the engine can lock up and stop the car.

NHTSA ID

11736347

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

I recently purchased a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and began experiencing serious issues almost immediately after taking possession of the vehicle. The vehicle has stalled unexpectedly while driving on multiple occasions, including during active driving conditions. It also has difficulty starting and has shut off without warning. The vehicle has already undergone multiple repairs within a short period of time, including work related to the radiator, spark plugs, and ignition coil. Despite these repairs, the issues continue. This creates a significant safety concern, as the vehicle becomes inoperable without warning, especially during daily highway driving. I rely on this vehicle for transportation, and it is currently unreliable and unsafe to operate.

NHTSA ID

11735876

Incident

May 2, 2026

Twice I have been driving on the highway at 60 mph and the transmission had suddenly shifted into low gear and subsequently went into limp mode. The dealer is unable to find an issue with the vehicle. There were no warning lights, before, during, or after. After I pulled onto the shoulder of the road and turned the Jeep off and turned it back on it operated normally.

NHTSA ID

11733768

Incident

Apr 17, 2026