2018 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 134owner reports
- 26,000median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
534 of the 686 complaints on this car are about the engine. 134 of those describe stalling. Only shift to park warning is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 134 reports
Stalling on other Cherokee years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2022.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (19 reports), the alternator (5 reports) and the engine (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
6 recalls on the engine cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
These vehicles may have been manufactured with a fuel tube that may leak fuel into the engine compartment.
The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
All 7 recalls on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Cherokee
Electronic parking brake water ingress. Closed oct 29, 2023.
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
Engine compartment fire. Closed dec 9, 2015, led to recall 15V-676.
Crash related fuel tank fires. Closed nov 14, 2014, led to recall 13V-252.
Sudden acceleration. Closed sep 10, 2002.
Faulty gas gauge indicators. Closed nov 13, 1997, led to recall 97V-194.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed nov 25, 1994.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed oct 29, 1993.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.
Fires caused by cltch lk. Closed jan 28, 1988.
Electronic ignition failure and gas fume. Closed nov 3, 1976.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
5 of the 134 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $460 to $2,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 18,000 and 46,000 miles, from the 90 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“PTU/transfer case issues under 50,000 miles, jeep randomly shuts off 4wd in dangerous areas without any warning”
Filed Jan 7, 2026 · 50,000 miles
“This car has been in the shop multiple times for engine and transmission problems. Had a new transmission installed at 19000 miles. Now at 30000 the transmission has failed again. Car has multiple TPM, ABS, and power train issues that Jeep cannot correct.”
Filed Jun 10, 2024 · 19,000 miles
“Service shifter light randomly comes on; vehicle has stalled several times. Sometimes hesitates when pushing gas to accelerate.”
Filed Sep 21, 2022
“When the car detects low oil it shuts off. The engine sputters and the car will shut off- even when driving- causing a safety issue. There is NO LOW OIL indicator light. I had pulled from my street into a busy highway and the engine sputtered and turned itself off. I could not restart it. Happened today and also happened in December 2021.”
Filed Apr 18, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 134 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 243 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 102 reports
- Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 98 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 49 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 36 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 34 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 29 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 28 reports