Jeep is historically known as the most patriotic brand that makes long-lasting off-road SUVs. These days, the debate over the 2018 Jeep Wrangler’s reliability rages on. Even if this Jeep sport utility vehicle earned a “recommended” accolade and a five out of five for reliability from Consumer Reports, would that change anyone’s mind? Check out what sort of reliability score one group of experts gave the 2018 Wrangler below.

What is the reliability rating of a 2018 Jeep Wrangler?

According to U.S. News, J.D. Power gave the 2018 Jeep Wrangler a below-average reliability score of 2.5 out of five. Most compact SUVs in the segment have higher reliability scores because the Jeep brand doesn’t really translate to conventional standards. It excels off-road and in the customization categories, which is what most Jeep fans are looking for.

Inside, the Jeep has enough room for everyone and has decently roomy cargo space. The Wrangler makes a lot of sense for those looking at used SUVs that can handle weekend adventures off the beaten path. There might be better options for those who might need to drive the 2018 Wrangler daily to work or get the children to school every day.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration usually rates passenger cars for safety. Unfortunately, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler did not receive an overall safety rating. There was no score for the SUV in the usual frontal and side crash tests either.

That same NHTSA listing has 1,447 complaints for the 2018 Wrangler. Some of the top complaint categories are the electrical system, suspension, powertrain, and unknown. There are many recent complaints, some even from this week. The NHTSA only issued a recall for NHTSA Campaign Number 23V116000 in February 2023.

This recall notes that the clutch pressure plate may overheat, increasing the fire risk. Many of the recent complaints from owners note that when the 2018 Jeep Wrangler was brought in for the recall, parts were not available. This recall required the replacement of the clutch assembly and a software update. Jeep issued the same recall three times over the years, but it remains an ongoing problem.

This Wrangler has 12 recalls

Even though it is only about five years old at the time of publication, the 2018 Wrangler has 12 recalls. Four of those fall into the powertrain category, including the three noted above. Jeep issued another recall for the incorrect installation of the transmission park rods. This can cause unintended vehicle movement, and the Wrangler can even roll out of park.

A recent iSeeCars study examined how many times a vehicle would be recalled in its lifetime, and the Jeep Wrangler was in the top 25. Jeep Wrangler SUVs have an expected 10 recalls over 30 years, about 2.5 times the average of four.

In conclusion, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler is not the most reliable used SUV on the market. Many similar SUVs with higher safety scores are available in a similar price bracket. However, not many sport utility vehicles out there can off-road or be customized in the way the Wrangler can.