2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Report

Head gaskets and cylinder heads fail. The result is overheating, coolant in the cylinders, and misfires, often on cylinder 4. Owners report it anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles, with repair quotes over $6,000. The plastic oil filter adapter leaks, and at least one engine seized after losing oil. EGR coolers crack again after the 20V-699 fire-hazard recall repair. Some engines stall at highway speed with a stop/start warning. EcoDiesel owners wait more than a year for high-pressure fuel pump recall parts, and replacement engines are on backorder.

ABS, stability control, 4WD and traction control warnings come on, with longer stopping distances, brakes that do not respond in reverse, and stalls. These reports cluster between 88,000 and 125,000 miles. Many complaints are about recall 24V838000: dealers say parts are unavailable and give no date. Crash reports describe pedals sinking to the floor, brakes that only partly engage, and wheels locking at low speed. Seized rear calipers with pads worn away appear as early as 28,120 miles.

Front active head restraints fire forward with a loud pop, with no collision. It happens while driving, parked, or starting the car. Internal plastic clips break, so the headrest cannot be reset and keeps pushing the occupant's head forward. Drivers report being struck in the back of the head and nearly swerving into traffic. Failures appear around 50,000 to 70,000 miles. A warranty extension covers 2014-2018 models, but several owners say their VIN is excluded and the dealer charges for diagnosis and repair.

No bags deploy in serious crashes, according to most of these reports, including head-on hits into trees and poles, a T-bone into an overpass, a tractor trailer rear impact, and a run down an embankment. The category has 9 crash-related complaints and 9 injuries, and several of the cars were totaled. Some drivers say the seatbelt also failed to lock. Other reports describe active head restraints deploying on their own, and a warning light traced to an open circuit in the passenger seat air bag.

Power steering cuts out while driving and leaves a heavy wheel. One dealer-confirmed rack and pinion repair sat waiting on back-ordered parts. Other reports describe a sudden pull to the left at highway speed, traction control dragging the car toward the road edge on a curve, and clunks over bumps that dealers cannot reproduce. Owners who flat tow behind a motorhome report a violent wobble after slow turns that stops only when the rig stops. Stuck shifters and no-start problems also appear here.

Most of these complaints are about recall parts rather than failures. Owners notified of campaigns 20V699000, 23V411000 and the diesel fuel recall 22V406000 say parts are not available, and one dealer quoted about 7 months before an order could be placed. Real failures include overheating, coolant leaking into the engine around 82,000 miles, metal shavings in the engine, EGR valve no-starts, and stalling at 55 mph that ended in engine replacement. One fire report describes knocking, power loss, smoke and sparks under the car.

The vehicle accelerates on its own: from park, at a stop with the brake held, or when cruise control should disengage. Of 12 complaints, 6 involve crashes into buildings, an ATM, a garage and other cars, with 3 injuries. Several drivers say the brakes could not overcome the engine. Cruise control surges again once the brake is released. The throttle can also stick wide open, and one owner stopped it by removing the floor mat. Stalls followed by throttle body replacement also appear.