2018 Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems
295 of the 686 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 33 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 295 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 38 · 2020: 51 · 2021: 28 · 2022: 16 · 2023: 15 · 2024: 33 · 2025: 62 · 2026: 43
Half of the 144 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 20,000 and 70,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
686 complaints in all about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, 43 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Vehicle was in motion. Screen displays service shifter. All lights on the prndl next to the shifrer are lit simultaneously
Service shifter warning appears in instrument cluster area and all the lights on shifter light up solid red and stay illumanated
Service shifter warning came on when pulled into driveway. Vehicle has less than 12k miles
A warning light "service shifter" comes on without warning. All the lights at the shifter illuminate and won't shut off unless the car is re-started
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. While driving 60 MPH or more, the vehicle stalled and the "vehicle not in park" warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 25V011000 HighApr 29, 2025 · 63,130 vehicles
- 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.
- 18V494000 HighJul 26, 2018 · 702 vehicles
- 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.
33 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 03-001-26 Service bulletinJul 9, 2026
- 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.
- 21-027-26 REV. A Service bulletinApr 11, 2026
- 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 extensionApr 8, 2026
- ID-26-19 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 111432 Warranty extensionApr 8, 2026
- D-26-10 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 21-027-26 Service bulletinApr 8, 2026
- 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
The 5 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0513 P06EF U1465 C14A7 P0740 P1066 P1068 P106A
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Jeep Cherokee names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee
Source: the same files- electrical problems 191 complaints
- engine problems 159 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 295 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (43% of everything owners filed about it), and 33 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 25V011000, 18V494000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 41,000 miles; half of them between 20,000 and 70,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.