2018 Jeep Wrangler · symptom sheet
Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks
- 42owner reports
- 8,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Mar 24, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
1116 of the 1,823 complaints on this car are about the steering system. 42 of those describe sticky steering.
Tick what matches of 42 reports
Sticky steering on other Wrangler years
No other Wrangler model year has enough reports of sticky steering for a sheet of its own. See every Wrangler year.
What this problem usually is
Sticky steering is a wheel that catches or hangs for a moment before it turns, then moves in a small jerk. It's different from a wheel that's simply heavy: owners here describe a notch, and many say it's worst when making small corrections at highway speed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the steering rack (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the steering system covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.
All 14 recalls on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the steering system on the Wrangler
Underhood fires. Closed sep 24, 2026, led to recall 26V-363.
Frame weld deficiencies. Closed oct 29, 2023.
Frame weld deficiencies. Closed sep 17, 2019.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,212 and 14,449 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
No report on this problem is short enough to quote in full.
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 42 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
- Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble" 517 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 342 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 117 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 104 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 96 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 68 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 67 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 63 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 49 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 47 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 46 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 40 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 27 reports