2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems
75 of the 854 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Grand 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: 51 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. 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 database7 of the 75 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 2 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 10 · 2019: 16 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2026: 12
Half of the 45 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 4,000 and 39,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
854 complaints in all about the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 12 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 Grand 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.
Parked vehicle in sloped parking lot left vehicle running walked behind Jeep with taligate lifted to remove wet items from Jeep. Noticed the Jeep was rolling backwards my quick reaction was to jump back in drivers seat to turn off car. While doing this the Jeep pushed me backwards flat on my back and broke my t11 and t12 on 9-14-2019.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and she entered a store, upon returning there were police vehicles surrounding where she parked. The contact then was informed that her vehicle crashed into the vehicle in front of where she was parked.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While driving 30 MPH and attempting to shift gears, the vehicle downshifted. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 15,800
The contact leased a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled away in reverse 5 minutes later and crashed into a neighbors vehicle. No air bags deployed.
Recall: u65/nhtsa 18v-332 just bought it and found a recall on v-6 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited. I haven't driven yet. Please send me the certificate to get it fixed
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 18V280000 HighMay 1, 2018 · 71 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
51 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 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
P0456 P0513 P057B P0420 P0430 P06EF P0716 P0733
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Jeep Grand 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 Grand Cherokee
Source: the same files- electrical problems 341 complaints
- engine problems 141 complaints
- fuel system problems 63 complaints
- brake problems 63 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 75 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (9% of everything owners filed about it), and 51 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall 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 Grand Cherokee?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 18V280000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 20,005 miles; half of them between 4,000 and 39,000. 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.