2018 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Burns oil or oil level rises
- 34owner reports
- 26,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jan 13, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
168 of the 686 complaints on this car are about the engine. 34 of those describe oil consumption.
Tick what matches of 34 reports
Oil consumption 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: 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022.
What this problem usually is
Two different complaints land here. The more common one is an engine that uses oil: owners add a quart between changes, get a low-oil warning, or are told by the dealer that the rate is normal. The other is the opposite, where the oil level climbs and the oil smells of gasoline. Both deserve a proper test, and both are easier to argue with records in hand.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (7 reports) and the engine (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 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.
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
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.
Faulty gas gauge indicators. Closed nov 13, 1997, led to recall 97V-194.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 23,000 and 41,100 miles, from the 26 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Jeep Cherokee that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. ● Excessive oil consumption.
2.4L Engine Oil Consumption Test The customer may comment that the vehicles engine oil level is low or they need to add oil between oil change intervals and no visible signs of oil leaking from the engine.
2.4L Engine Oil Consumption Test This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test. The customer may comment that the vehicles engine oil level is low or they need to add oil between oil change intervals and no visible signs of oil ...
What owners wrote
“The car burns oil too fast. When the car is low on oil, there is NO INDICATION and the engine will stop. Even when you are driving.”
Filed Feb 25, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 34 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
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 134 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
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 29 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 28 reports