2018 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 49owner reports
- 35,500median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Apr 28, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
321 of the 683 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 49 of those describe infotainment.
Tick what matches of 49 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head unit or screen (24 reports) and the camera (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Cherokee
Electronic parking brake water ingress. Closed oct 29, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
NHTSA summary
Elec. rear window. Closed mar 28, 1989, led to recall 87V-178.
NHTSA summary
Electronic ignition failure and gas fume. Closed nov 3, 1976.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 24,500 and 42,500 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Back up camera turns to static when going in reverse. Has been happening for years. No warnings. Just malfunctioning. Reported this in 2019 to Jeep.”
Filed Apr 14, 2026
“All lights on the gear shift light up and a message on the display says service shifter. Happens randomly. Have to turn car off and back on to get to clear. Yesterday I had to turn car off and back on 3 times before error would reset. Found online this is happening to a lot of Jeep cherokees and most common fix is to replace the shifter bezel and wiring. So I replaced the shift bezel and wiring harness yesterday.”
Filed Jul 9, 2025
“Service shifter message appears on screen over speedometer. All the gears light up red on the shifter. Unable to change gears unless you turn off the car and restart. Happens multiple times per year. When you search the internet this is a common occurrence and nothing is being done about it.”
Filed Feb 2, 2025
“I am getting random "service shifter" fault message displayed. No apparent fault or change when driving. Contacted Jeep dealership and am told this is very common issue with no long term fix. Fix the problem please.”
Filed Sep 6, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 49 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.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 133 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 102 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