2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 75 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 9% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 20,005 miles. Recall 18V280000 covers an incorrect transmission park lock rod tied to vehicle rollaway reports.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 75
- 9% of 853
- Crashes reported
- 7
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 20,005 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report the vehicle rolling away in reverse or backward after being shifted into park, sometimes striking objects or other vehicles while the driver was exiting.
- Some describe a 'shift into park and select gear' message with the check engine light on, followed by the transmission failing to accelerate or select a gear until the engine was restarted multiple times.
- Others report harsh, jerky shifts accompanied by a banging noise that owners felt might signal gear failure, with severity changing between normal, eco, and sport modes.
- A few owners noted the vehicle would not reverse, with the dash 'R' indicator flashing, requiring the vehicle to be turned off and restarted before it would move.
- One owner linked an unexpected rollaway and crash directly to hearing about a Grand Cherokee transmission recall after the incident.
When 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 1, 2018, latest Aug 31, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- NHTSA 18V280000May 1, 2018Transmission & Powertrain71 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Grand Cherokee model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- NHTSA lists 75 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2018 Grand Cherokee, making up 9% of all 853 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Yes. Recall 18V280000 covers an incorrect transmission park lock rod installed on certain 2018 Grand Cherokees and other Chrysler/FCA models; dealers install the correct rod free of charge.
- At what mileage do 2018 Grand Cherokee transmission problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 20,005 miles.
- Have there been crashes linked to 2018 Grand Cherokee transmission issues?
- NHTSA records 7 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries associated with transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2018 Grand Cherokee.