2018 Jeep Wrangler transmission and drivetrain problems
180 of the 1,823 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler 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: 81 manufacturer bulletins, 4 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 database2 of the 180 reports a crash · 13 a fire · 2 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 18 · 2019: 15 · 2020: 18 · 2021: 21 · 2022: 18 · 2023: 48 · 2024: 16 · 2025: 12 · 2026: 14
Half of the 86 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 7,000 and 52,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,823 complaints in all about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, 14 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 Wrangler 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.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 65 MPH over a bump in the road, the vehicle shook profusely. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred several times.
Around 7000 miles we started to get a vibration that would last till we slowed down every time we hit a bump with our Wrangler jl at highway speed. It has since turned into a violent shake that will literally rattle your teeth. You can feel the shake throughout the whole care and especially on the wheel.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. While driving approximately 70 MPH over a bump in the road, the entire front end of the vehicle shook and wobbled without warning. The failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,800
I entered a parking space and was not within the lines. I backed up about 2 feet and felt a sudden stop and 'clunk.' I could not move the shifter at all. The dash display said 'park lock.' it instructed me to turn the car of and then put it back in gear.
Drive train vibration most noticeable between 59 - 64 MPH. Vibration in steering wheel, driver and passenger front seats, floor pans. 10/3 - 10/8/18 dealer inspected entire vehicle, balanced, road force tested tires found all within spec and balanced with no indexing required.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 23V116000 CriticalFeb 23, 2023 · 69,201 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- 21V028000 CriticalJan 28, 2021 · 42,887 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- 20V124000 CriticalMar 3, 2020 · 33,237 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
- 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.
81 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 P0171 P0128 P050B P04FC P0172 P0513 P057B
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Source: the same files- steering problems 1,116 complaints
- electrical problems 268 complaints
- engine problems 103 complaints
- body and structure problems 100 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 180 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (10% of everything owners filed about it), and 81 manufacturer bulletins, 4 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 Wrangler?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading: 23V116000, 21V028000, 20V124000, 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 Wrangler?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 29,000 miles; half of them between 7,000 and 52,000. 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.