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Your vehicleHome›Jeep›Cherokee› 2018
Jeep · Large SUV

2018 Jeep Cherokee

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
10 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
59 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 4 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 7
Complaints11 crash · 5 fire · 7 injured reported 688
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 25 mpg
202620232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 10 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Cherokee FWD, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 688 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

2018 Jeep Cherokee

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Cherokee FWDGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl213025$2,700
Cherokee FWDGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl213025$2,700
Cherokee FWDGasFWD3.2L 6-cyl212924$3,150
Cherokee 4WDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl212823$2,900
Cherokee 4WDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl212823$2,900
Cherokee 4WDGasAWD3.2L 6-cyl202723$3,300
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive IIGas4WD2.4L 4-cyl212723$2,900
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WDGas4WD2.4L 4-cyl192522$3,050
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive IIGas4WD3.2L 6-cyl182621$3,600
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WDGas4WD3.2L 6-cyl182421$3,600

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39088, 39089, 39090, 39092, 39093, 39094, 39095, 39097, 39096, 39098.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Cherokee FWD7 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Cherokee 4WD, Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II, Cherokee FWD, Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD3 / 10Federal Tier 3 Transitional Bin 110All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II1–7 / 10California LEV-III LEV160 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 160All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD1–7 / 10California LEV-III LEV160 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2.4 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower184 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Latitude Plus, Latitude(US,Mex), Longitude(BUX), North(Can), Limited). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length181.9 in
Width (body, without mirrors)73.2 in
Height66.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Track, front61.8 in
Track, rear61.8 in
Curb weight3,680–3,942 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear57/43

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 4-door SUV AWD, 4-door SUV FWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2018 Cherokee
Other years The 2023 Cherokee Recalls Jeep recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (7)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Power Train

01C
63,130 vehicles 34% reported repaired
Problem Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function. Risk A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. A loss of park function can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury. Fix Dealers will update the drivetrain control module and PTU software and replace the PTU, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 19, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 01C.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDFChronology PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V011000 reported Jan 16, 2025 Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Electrical System

U87
12,779 vehicles 77% reported repaired built Sep 7, 2017 – Feb 21, 2018
Problem Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition. Risk A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V524000 reported Aug 9, 2018 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

U78
702 vehicles 83% reported repaired built Oct 30, 2017 – Nov 4, 2017
Problem Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure. Risk If the halfshaft bearing cage breaks, the halfshaft may not be able to transmit engine power, causing a loss of drive or it can allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash. Fix Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U78.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V494000 reported Jul 26, 2018 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

U49,U59-U65,U68,U73
4,815,661 vehicles 77% reported repaired built Nov 5, 2012 – Dec 17, 2017
Problem Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depress Risk If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash. Fix Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmissi
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V332000 reported May 17, 2018 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

U39
48,990 vehicles 83% reported repaired built Sep 1, 2017 – Jan 4, 2018
Problem Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine. These vehicles may have been manufactured with a fuel tube that may leak fuel into the engine compartment. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of the ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Fix Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U39.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V282000 reported May 1, 2018 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

T65
357 vehicles 92% reported repaired built Sep 9, 2017 – Sep 28, 2017
Problem Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure. Risk If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 17V670000 reported Oct 24, 2017 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Wheels

T53
22,242 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Feb 27, 2017 – Aug 10, 2017
Problem Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The tire and rim size information required to be on the Certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." Risk The missing tire and rim designation information may lead to an incorrect combination being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 17V543000 reported Aug 31, 2017 Chrysler (FCA US LLC) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Cherokee

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2018 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Jeep publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Jeep’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Cherokee →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
688complaints filed

11 involved a crash · 5 a fire · 7 injuries · 0 deaths reported

66 per 10,000 built · Jeep reported 104,338 Cherokee built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2017: 2 · 2018: 35 · 2019: 128 · 2020: 144 · 2021: 75 · 2022: 51 · 2023: 43 · 2024: 61 · 2025: 89 · 2026: 60

Most-cited components

Power Train → 296
Electrical System → 191
Unspecified 174
Engine → 159
Service Brakes 36
Steering 30

In depth: transmission and drivetrain problems → · electrical problems → · engine problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

While in motion with cruise control set at 65 MPH the transmission jerked twice and the engine revved up and as if it was in neutral, stayed that way as if the accelerator was stuck. I hit my brakes because we was losing speed and when stopped I tried to put in park but it sounded as if gears was gri.
Engine at 17,838 miles Oct 28, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11143583
1.)the door knob/handle is burning hot that you could hardly handle it or grab it. 2.) when turning, there is a squizzing sound at the rear wheels and could hardly pull forward, something like holding back.
Service Brakes Oct 27, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11143377
After starting the car and leaving my driveway for the last 2days, I get about 1/2 mile down the road and an indicator comes on telling me that shifting while driving can't be done. The car shuts completely down and I have to make a sudden stop to turn the key off. The steeringwheel locks up making it impossible to get out of the road.
Electrical System at 28,075 miles Oct 22, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11141778
While driving highway speeds there is a vibration between 60 and 80 miles per hour. I have had the tires replaced, rims replaced and no change in vibration. It has started since I owned the vehicle with 7 miles on the odometer till today with 9000 miles on it.
Steering Oct 16, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11140689
While driving my dash will suddenly state "service shifter" and all my gear shifter lights will be lit up. The only way I get them off is I have to pull over, stop, turn vehicle off, and restart it. This has happen in town and on the highway. This has happened now several times over approximately 4 months now.
Power Train at 14,186 miles Sep 12, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11129089
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that fuel leaked from the vehicle and a burning odor entered the cabin of the vehicle. In addition, the fuel gauge failed to display the correct fuel level. There were no warning indicators illuminated.
Fuel/Propulsion System at 7,123 miles Jul 16, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11111642

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Jeep itself: 72 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 4 killed, 86 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 69 per 100,000 built. Every Cherokee model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 34k

miles, typically

Half the 357 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 20,000 and 50,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 39
10k–20k 47
20k–30k 62
30k–40k 58
40k–50k 56
50k–60k 32
60k–70k 9
70k–80k 10
80k–90k 10
90k–100k 5
100k–150k 24
150k + 5

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Power Train14541,0001.18×
Electrical System10335,5001.57×
Unspecified9230,000—
Engine8528,6700.57×
Service Brakes1638,0001.34×
Steering1524,5281.69×
Electronic Stability Control1531,4362.25×
Vehicle Speed Control1325,0001.79×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2018-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: engine (0.57×); later: electrical system (1.57×), steering (1.69×), electronic stability control (2.25×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Across 2018–2021 model years the Jeep Cherokee ranks 55 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 1.46× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 30,000 miles against a fleet 23,512).

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 6 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Stellantis warranty extension (117) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 211
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-07-09
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 204 service bulletins, 6 warranty extensions, 1 other

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Structure, Engine, Power Train.

  • 03-002-26 Service bulletin
    2026-07-09 · Electrical System
  • Stop/Start Illuminated, 0x22 During Fork Wear Routine Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● Negative response 0X22 after Recall 01C flash triggers one or more communication codes with controllers.
  • 03-001-26 Service bulletin
    2026-07-09 · Power Train
  • Unable to Complete 01C Recall Drive Cycle C14A7-97 Active Technicians may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● After performing Recall 01C, the vehicle may get a 'Service AWD' message on the EVIC.
  • S2208000045 REV. D Service bulletin
    2026-06-26 · Structure — Body
  • Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
  • S2523000003 REV. A Service bulletin
    2026-04-22 · Electrical System
  • Door Latch, Handle And Ajar Additional Service Information.
  • 21-027-26 REV. A Service bulletin
    2026-04-11 · Power Train
  • Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ? C1494-07 - PTU Fork Position-Mechanincal Failures. Customers m
  • 111447 Warranty extension
    2026-04-08 · Power Train
  • ID-26-19 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
  • 111432 Warranty extension
    2026-04-08 · Power Train
  • D-26-10 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
  • 21-027-26 Service bulletin
    2026-04-08 · Power Train
  • Two Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ? C1494-07 - PTU Fork Position-Mechanincal Failures. Customers m

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0513
P0513 on Jeep →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
P06EF
P06EF on Jeep →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Exterior Lighting · Headlight assembly →4 bulletins
P0300
P0300 on Jeep →		Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.Equipment · Ignition coils →3 bulletins
P0301
P0301 on Jeep →		Cylinder 1 is misfiring.Equipment · Ignition coils →3 bulletins
P0302
P0302 on Jeep →		Cylinder 2 is misfiring.Equipment · Ignition coils →3 bulletins
P0303
P0303 on Jeep →		Cylinder 3 is misfiring.Equipment · Ignition coils →3 bulletins
U11E9
U11E9 on Jeep →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Visibility/Wiper · Wiper blades →3 bulletins
P152F
P152F on Jeep →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Structure2 bulletins
U0103
U0103 on Jeep →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Structure1 bulletin · 1 owner report
U1465Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train2 owner reports

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Jeep Cherokee failed the emissions check on 2.5% of first inspections — close to the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.1% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%).

New York inspections 2.5%

failed emissions

2,680 initial inspections of 2,620 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2018 CherokeeEvery 2018 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check2.5%3.0%2,674
Failed the safety inspection2.1%1.9%2,680
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.26%0.22%2,680
Miles driven a year11,14710,002odometer at inspection
Average odometer92,27282,833odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2018 vehicle” is every 2018 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Cherokee by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 C 4 9 37 mpg2023 A 1 3 24 mpg2022 B 3 52 26 mpg2021 D 4 176 26 mpg2020 C 3 333 26 mpg2019 F 11 1,669 26 mpg2018 this page F 7 688 25 mpg2017 F 6 1,337 25 mpg2016 F 9 1,412 Park outside

Common questions about the 2018 Cherokee

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 7 recall campaigns for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 18V332000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

NHTSA gave the 2018 Jeep Cherokee 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (59/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Across the 10 EPA-rated configurations of the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, the best EPA combined figure is 25 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Transport Canada measured it at 181.9 in long, 73.2 in wide (body, without mirrors), 66.5 in tall, on a 106.3 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,680–3,942 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

Owners have filed 688 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, most often about power train, electrical system, unspecified. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 7 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

The EPA smog rating for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee runs 1 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III LEV160, California LEV-III SULEV30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 160, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Transitional Bin 110 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?

The manufacturer has filed 211 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, most often covering electrical system, equipment, structure. The most recent is dated 2026-07-09. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2018 Jeep Cherokee do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 Jeep Cherokee failed the emissions check on 2.5% of first inspections — close to the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.1% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations10 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates10 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls7NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints688NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins211NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA9 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2023 Cherokee The Cherokee model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 1 recall.Recalls Every Jeep recall on file All campaigns filed against Jeep vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Cherokee by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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