2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that since the vehicle was purchased, there was an abnormally strong coolant odor coming from the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the coolant reservoir was recently refilled, and the odor might be due to an overflow. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the water pump was replaced. The contact stated that the water pump had been replaced approximately nine times under warranty due to the strong coolant odor and a water pump leak; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #11757611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Vehicle Information: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel 4x4Component Affected: Fuel/Propulsion System (High-Pressure Fuel Pump) Safety Incident Narrative: The vehicle previously underwent a mandatory manufacturer safety recall replacement for the Bosch CP4 High-Pressure Fuel Pump under FCA Safety Recall Z46 (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V-406). At 111,948 miles, while operating the vehicle, the engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure accompanied by an immediate and total loss of engine oil pressure. This caused the engine to suddenly stall and lose all propulsion while in motion, creating an immediate and severe highway safety hazard to myself and surrounding traffic.The vehicle was towed to an authorized Jeep dealership under Repair Order #5823328. The manufacturer (Stellantis) and the dealership are currently refusing to authorize diagnostic teardown labor or a mechanical review of the internal safety recall componentry to investigate an acute internal fuel-pump shaft seal leak or residual micro-particle metallic debris from the prior campaign. An internal drive-shaft seal failure on this replacement pump architecture dumps raw diesel fuel directly into the engine's internal oil crankcase, causing severe oil dilution, an immediate collapse of structural oil pressure, and catastrophic engine seizure. The manufacturer is attempting to shift 100% of the financial burden ($25,000 engine replacement cost) onto the consumer, actively obstructing an essential safety failure investigation into a federally recalled component.

NHTSA complaint #11756569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Vehicle Information: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel 4x4Component Affected: Fuel/Propulsion System (High-Pressure Fuel Pump) Safety Incident Narrative: The vehicle previously underwent a mandatory manufacturer safety recall replacement for the Bosch CP4 High-Pressure Fuel Pump under FCA Safety Recall Z46 (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V-406). At 111,948 miles, while operating the vehicle, the engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure accompanied by an immediate and total loss of engine oil pressure. This caused the engine to suddenly stall and lose all propulsion while in motion, creating an immediate and severe highway safety hazard to myself and surrounding traffic.The vehicle was towed to an authorized Jeep dealership under Repair Order #5823328. The manufacturer (Stellantis) and the dealership are currently refusing to authorize diagnostic teardown labor or a mechanical review of the internal safety recall componentry to investigate an acute internal fuel-pump shaft seal leak or residual micro-particle metallic debris from the prior campaign. An internal drive-shaft seal failure on this replacement pump architecture dumps raw diesel fuel directly into the engine's internal oil crankcase, causing severe oil dilution, an immediate collapse of structural oil pressure, and catastrophic engine seizure. The manufacturer is attempting to shift 100% of the financial burden ($25,000 engine replacement cost) onto the consumer, actively obstructing an essential safety failure investigation into a federally recalled component.

NHTSA complaint #11756569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The transmission goes into neutral. It has gone into neutral on the highway,local streets, also from a stop. From a stop in drive the electronic D on the instrument panel starts flashing. I turn on the hazards put transmission shifter in Park and start engine. This problem is intermittent, it can be cold or hot, it has happened 4x in 2 years. No accidents thankfully. The engine does not stall, the transmission goes into neutral.

NHTSA complaint #11756332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The transmission goes into neutral. It has gone into neutral on the highway,local streets, also from a stop. From a stop in drive the electronic D on the instrument panel starts flashing. I turn on the hazards put transmission shifter in Park and start engine. This problem is intermittent, it can be cold or hot, it has happened 4x in 2 years. No accidents thankfully. The engine does not stall, the transmission goes into neutral.

NHTSA complaint #11756332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I was initially traveling at the posted speed limit of 65 when all of a sudden the engine started shaking profusely, and I lost total power of the vehicle. Therefore, I had to immediately jump onto the shoulder without being rear ended and come to a complete stop while trying to coast safely to a place so I wouldn’t be hit by traffic . My car was then brought to the local Jeep dealership and they had told me that my left camshaft needs to be replaced also the lifters rockers and oil cooler need to be replaced as well. I have not drove my vehicle since it’s been seen by the dealer , I was told that any type of Driving could completely mess up my engine, so it’s been sitting for a couple of months .

NHTSA complaint #11755335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Went for an oil change and learn the cooler has a leak. Car was getting over heated. What cause this issue as I just got it in Feb.2026

NHTSA complaint #11755365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness

This car seat does not click into the base properly and I cannot loosen the straps properly. This form does not let me upload videos however, I do have video evidence of both malfunctions happening

NHTSA complaint #11754549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carry Handle, Shell, Base

This car seat does not click into the base properly and I cannot loosen the straps properly. This form does not let me upload videos however, I do have video evidence of both malfunctions happening

NHTSA complaint #11754549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

VEHICLE & PURCHASE DETAILS: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (3.6L V6 Pentastar Engine). Purchased on/around April 27 in agreement with my credit union. INCIDENT & DEFECT DESCRIPTION: Upon taking delivery, the vehicle immediately displayed diagnostic warning codes. The selling dealer attempted diagnosis/repair for a week before directing me to take it to Bonham CDJR in Bonham, TX. Bonham CDJR cleared the codes and returned the vehicle. A couple of weeks later, while my wife was driving home, the engine suddenly and severely overheated without warning. I instructed her to pull over immediately to prevent engine destruction or stall in active traffic. My wife was stranded on the roadside in extreme Texas heat until a flatbed wrecker towed the vehicle back to Bonham CDJR. WARRANTY OBSTRUCTION & KNOWN FAILURE POINT: Upon arrival at Bonham CDJR, I informed service advisors that my third-party warranty provider (First Guard) would handle coverage. However, the dealership demanded a $1,300 upfront, out-of-pocket engine teardown fee just to "prove" the cause of failure to the warranty company. The 3.6L V6 Pentastar platform is notorious for cracking plastic oil filter/cooler housing units and failing thermostat assemblies, causing rapid coolant loss and overheating. Requiring consumers to pay massive teardown fees out-of-pocket to diagnose a known, unaddressed manufacturer design flaw creates an administrative barrier that leaves defective, dangerous vehicles on the road. SAFETY HAZARD & IMPACT: Sudden engine overheating at driving speeds causes sudden power loss, severe traffic hazards, thermal fire risks, and roadside stranding in hazardous ambient heat. This ongoing ordeal has caused severe personal distress, financial strain, and loss of wages. REQUESTED ACTION: I request NHTSA open a safety defect investigation into 3.6L Pentastar engine cooling failures and mandate a manufacturer recall with consumer repair reimbursement.

NHTSA complaint #11752136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I own a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel that has experienced repeated high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures despite completion of the NHTSA HPFP safety recall. After the recall was performed, my vehicle developed the exact failure described in the recall. Metal contamination was found in the fuel system, requiring replacement of the HPFP and major fuel system components. Approximately 13,000 miles later, during routine fuel filter maintenance, I suspected the failure had returned. I asked the dealership to inspect the fuel filters for metal contamination, but they declined. I then removed and cut open the filters myself and documented visible metal shavings consistent with the recall failure. This is the second occurrence of metal contamination after the recall repair. I retained the filters, saved fuel samples, and documented everything with photos and video. I provided this evidence to the dealership and Stellantis. A STAR case was opened, but the Stellantis District Manager instructed the dealership not to perform any repairs because the vehicle has no check engine light and remains operable. The recall warns that HPFP deterioration can contaminate the fuel system and cause a sudden loss of engine power, increasing the risk of a crash. It also states this failure may occur without warning lights. My concern is that Stellantis is requiring complete pump failure before authorizing repairs, despite documented evidence that the recall failure condition has returned. I still possess the contaminated filters, fuel samples, photographs, video, and service records and will provide them upon request. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether the recall remedy adequately corrects this defect and whether Stellantis' refusal to repair a vehicle exhibiting the same safety-related failure condition is appropriate.

NHTSA complaint #11750690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

while driving the car puts itself in park, then the gear shift D starts blinking and the dashboard says put into Park. I've took it to jeep to figure it out and fix it. i got it back and while on the highway it did it again causing me to almost get hit by several cars. I was on the highway doing the speed limit and no brake lights also when it happens. I took it back to jeep and they still have no clue but my jeep is to dangerous to drive period. There are not warning signs when it happens.

NHTSA complaint #11750319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My mother went to open the door and the plastic covering of the handle had some how chipped or melted and she sliced her pointer finger down the middle. There was a massive loss of blood and she is anemic.

NHTSA complaint #11749839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

* Upon normal driving the vehicle suddenly began to run rough. At that point the engine light came on and began flashing. Yes, it is available for inspection * I was traveling at highway speeds with my two young son's in the vehicle, when out of nowhere we experienced a major loss in power, Forcing us to get to the far right lane and off on the next exit. * The problem has been Confirmed (Passenger Side intake camshaft has 5 out of 6 lobes significantly worn off. .119" of material missing as well as 2 holes on cylinder 6 piston. * It was inspected by and independent mechanic who discovered the damage to the camshafts and the piston. It was suggested that I return the vehicle to the dealer as it would be needing a new motor seeing as the damages were premature and catastrophic in nature. Upon initial inspection at the dealer, they failed to identify the 2 holes in cylinder 6 piston. Suggesting that the "said holes" were nothing other than flaked carbon deposits. * There were no warning lights or any symptoms that would have indicated anything was wrong.

NHTSA complaint #11744663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

While driving my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2, the driver side Active Head Restraint deployed without any collision, rear impact, crash, or other triggering event. There was a sudden loud bang directly behind my head, which startled me and created an immediate safety distraction while the vehicle was in motion. I did not know what had happened at the time. The head restraint remains deployed/open and cannot be reset. The vehicle was not involved in a crash, there was no rear impact, and there was no airbag deployment. FCA/Stellantis has issued an X88 Active Head Restraint warranty extension for certain Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles involving inadvertent deployment of the front Active Head Restraint where it cannot be reset due to internal damage. My vehicle appears to have experienced the same failure mode, but Jeep/Stellantis has advised that my VIN does not qualify for X88 coverage, apparently because the vehicle was built after the selected warranty extension population. My vehicle build date is January 2018, with MDH 011623. I am filing this complaint because this was a safety related head restraint failure that occurred while driving without a collision. The sudden deployment caused a loud impact immediately behind my head and created a dangerous distraction. I am concerned that vehicles outside the current X88 warranty population may still be experiencing the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure. The vehicle was factory ordered and delivered in February 2018, which may explain the later January 2018 build date, but it is still a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and appears to have experienced the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure mode described in FCA’s X88 warranty extension.

NHTSA complaint #11743217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

While driving my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2, the driver side Active Head Restraint deployed without any collision, rear impact, crash, or other triggering event. There was a sudden loud bang directly behind my head, which startled me and created an immediate safety distraction while the vehicle was in motion. I did not know what had happened at the time. The head restraint remains deployed/open and cannot be reset. The vehicle was not involved in a crash, there was no rear impact, and there was no airbag deployment. FCA/Stellantis has issued an X88 Active Head Restraint warranty extension for certain Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles involving inadvertent deployment of the front Active Head Restraint where it cannot be reset due to internal damage. My vehicle appears to have experienced the same failure mode, but Jeep/Stellantis has advised that my VIN does not qualify for X88 coverage, apparently because the vehicle was built after the selected warranty extension population. My vehicle build date is January 2018, with MDH 011623. I am filing this complaint because this was a safety related head restraint failure that occurred while driving without a collision. The sudden deployment caused a loud impact immediately behind my head and created a dangerous distraction. I am concerned that vehicles outside the current X88 warranty population may still be experiencing the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure. The vehicle was factory ordered and delivered in February 2018, which may explain the later January 2018 build date, but it is still a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and appears to have experienced the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure mode described in FCA’s X88 warranty extension.

NHTSA complaint #11743217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving my 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2, the driver side Active Head Restraint deployed without any collision, rear impact, crash, or other triggering event. There was a sudden loud bang directly behind my head, which startled me and created an immediate safety distraction while the vehicle was in motion. I did not know what had happened at the time. The head restraint remains deployed/open and cannot be reset. The vehicle was not involved in a crash, there was no rear impact, and there was no airbag deployment. FCA/Stellantis has issued an X88 Active Head Restraint warranty extension for certain Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles involving inadvertent deployment of the front Active Head Restraint where it cannot be reset due to internal damage. My vehicle appears to have experienced the same failure mode, but Jeep/Stellantis has advised that my VIN does not qualify for X88 coverage, apparently because the vehicle was built after the selected warranty extension population. My vehicle build date is January 2018, with MDH 011623. I am filing this complaint because this was a safety related head restraint failure that occurred while driving without a collision. The sudden deployment caused a loud impact immediately behind my head and created a dangerous distraction. I am concerned that vehicles outside the current X88 warranty population may still be experiencing the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure. The vehicle was factory ordered and delivered in February 2018, which may explain the later January 2018 build date, but it is still a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee and appears to have experienced the same inadvertent Active Head Restraint failure mode described in FCA’s X88 warranty extension.

NHTSA complaint #11743217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11743276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Cruise control pacing/follow option does not slow down/break and will rear end/strike any vehicle. The auto breaking does not work. The touch screen constantly cycles randomly changing map directions, radio stations, heat and air conditioning, seat heating and cooling. Puts driver at risk due to constant changes and alert sounds.

NHTSA complaint #11743140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11743276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The Cruise control pacing/follow option does not slow down/break and will rear end/strike any vehicle. The auto breaking does not work. The touch screen constantly cycles randomly changing map directions, radio stations, heat and air conditioning, seat heating and cooling. Puts driver at risk due to constant changes and alert sounds.

NHTSA complaint #11743140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The Cruise control pacing/follow option does not slow down/break and will rear end/strike any vehicle. The auto breaking does not work. The touch screen constantly cycles randomly changing map directions, radio stations, heat and air conditioning, seat heating and cooling. Puts driver at risk due to constant changes and alert sounds.

NHTSA complaint #11743140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11743276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My daughter that is [XXX], her in the passenger seat, me driving were traveling down a street. I slowed to enter a turn lane going maybe 10 mph and heard a loud bang. I said "what was that noise." I glanced at my daughter she looked dazed and said "I don't know but something slammed into the back of my head." I pulled in where we were going and looked to find the head rest was popped open behind her head. There were no bumps, no impacts and not even high speed. This headrest mechanism literally deployed for no reason slamming at high speed into the back of her head and neck. I stopped called Mopar and made a complaint because it was right at 5pm and dealers were closing. She was slurring speech, dazed and repeating herself. Took her to the urgent care that sent me to the ER out of concern. They told me she may need head and neck images. The doctors and staff were so confused as to what I was even talking about. I showed them photos so they could see the situation. I was in the ER with her for 5 hours. She has a concussion. THESE HEADRESTS ARE DANGEROUS AND JUST INJURED A MINOR. WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE ARE NOT CALLING FOR RECALL. THIS ISNT JUST ABOUT EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT. THIS INJURY COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE AND THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING FLAWED HERE. I HAVE SEEN MANY OF THE SAME STORY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11741959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.