Death wobble and frame weld recalls
The 2018 Wrangler has more than double the average complaint rate. Two thirds of complaints are about steering: violent shaking after bumps at highway speed, loose steering and wandering. Two recalls cover frame welds on the steering gear mount, and owners also report electrical faults and lost power steering.
Updated November 2026 · based on 1,828 owner complaints and 14 recalls
Not rated
762 2.0x the Wrangler average
14 free to fix at a dealer
Every Wrangler year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2018 Wrangler
Top problems and what they cost
Death wobble
Violent steering shake after a bump at highway speed, often needing a hard stop to end it.
Fix: Steering damper, track bar or tie rod parts $200 to $1,500.
Steering
Frame weld recalls
Welds on the track bar and steering mount may be faulty.
Fix: Recalls 18V231 and 18V675, free.
Suspension
Power steering and warning lights
Power steering assist cuts out with several warning lights.
Fix: Often a battery or charging fault; $200 to $800.
Electrical
Recalls
A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
An unexpected reduction in steering ability, can increase the risk of a crash.
If the floor pan strength is reduced and/or the rear seat mount becomes loose, the rear seat may detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
If the right rear passenger door opens unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of injury.
If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended v...
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Show all 14 recalls
If the roof top tent cover detaches from the vehicle while moving, it can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire.
The overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire.
If the weld seam splits, the steering wheel may lose center positioning causing a loss of steering responsiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire.
An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2018 Jeep Wrangler
- Confirm recalls 18V231, 18V675 and 18V332 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2018 Wrangler has 14 recalls on record, listed below.
- Drive over bumps at 50 to 65 mph and feel for any shake.A violent shake after bumps, called death wobble, comes from worn front suspension and steering parts. Lifts and big tires make it more likely.Owners filed 378 complaints about death wobble on the 2018 Wrangler, one of the worst years for it.
- Ask what steering parts have been replaced and when.Steering should feel smooth and even. Clicks, a heavy wheel, wandering or a catch can mean a worn coupler, steering gear or tie rods, and some failures were recalled.Owners filed 378 complaints about death wobble on the 2018 Wrangler, one of the worst years for it.
- Look under the front for a lift kit or larger tires, which make wobble more likely.A violent shake after bumps, called death wobble, comes from worn front suspension and steering parts. Lifts and big tires make it more likely.Owners filed 378 complaints about death wobble on the 2018 Wrangler, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2018 Jeep Wrangler reliable?
Death wobble and frame weld recalls. The 2018 Wrangler has more than double the average complaint rate. Two thirds of complaints are about steering: violent shaking after bumps at highway speed, loose steering and wandering. Two recalls cover frame welds on the steering gear mount, and owners also report electrical faults and lost power steering.
How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have?
14 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2018 Jeep Wrangler problems?
Death wobble; Frame weld recalls; Power steering and warning lights.
Crash rating shown for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler 2 DR 4WD Later Release. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.