2018 Jeep Wrangler steering problems
1,116 of the 1,823 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). Filed under the same heading: 65 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 steering
Source: NHTSA complaint database9 of the 1,116 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 344 · 2019: 417 · 2020: 99 · 2021: 66 · 2022: 60 · 2023: 54 · 2024: 38 · 2025: 21 · 2026: 17
Half of the 757 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 2,000 and 13,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,823 complaints in all about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, 17 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 “Steering” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Jeep Wrangler steering problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Steering nearly locks up while driving in hot weather. Driving on windy roads the wheel fights me while turning only to let go causing me to swerve. It's the worst on hot days with the truck fully warmed up (mid 80's, AC on). The steering issue happens in both directions but feels like stronger resistance going left.
Power steering appears to be momentarily locking up or failing while the vehicle is in motion at speeds over 30 MPH. Have experienced the issue numerous times while driving on roads which curve to the left. The steering wheel suddenly becomes very stiff and nearly impossible to turn to the left.
After having the vehicle only 300 miles I experienced my steering locking up while going 70 on a slight turn. I took my foot off the gas pedal and applied the brake and then the steering went back to normal.
The car's steering locks up and becomes difficult steer until the driver pulls hard to a direction, the steering almost feels like it's locked and the hard pull breaks it loose. On a few occasions it forces the car to jolt as if you are trying to overcorrect. This happens at freeway speeds.
My new 2018 jl model Jeep Wrangler unlimited sport with less than 3,000 miles has had the steering wheel lock up 4 times now while driving and the wheel will not turn. Incredibly dangerous and someone is going to get into a very bad accident.
What is on file about the steering
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 18V343000 HighMay 25, 2018 · 539 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
65 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
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- electrical problems 268 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 180 complaints
- engine problems 103 complaints
- body and structure problems 100 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre steering problems common on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 1,116 owner complaints naming the steering on this model year (61% of everything owners filed about it), and 65 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 steering on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 18V343000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 6,458 miles; half of them between 2,000 and 13,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.