2018 Jeep Renegade: common problems and reliability

The 2018 Jeep Renegade has 439 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag poor reliability / major component failures — very frequent complaints encompassing engines (2.4l oil consumption, piston ring failures), transmissions (9-speed automatic failures, jerky shifting, "reprogramming" required), and electrical systems (module failures, battery issues). frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2018 model year

439
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
16
Crash reports
8
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Jeep Renegade vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine
189
electrical system
130
fuel/propulsion system
89
power train
58
service brakes
20

Recalls affecting the 2018 Renegade

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 18V731000

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jeep Renegade 4X2 flex fuel/E85 vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine. In certain operating conditions such as high power demand in conjunction with high altitude and/o

electrical system:wiring:front underhood

Campaign 18V524000

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 Wran

What owners say across generations

Mixed to negative sentiment overall, heavily dependent on model year and powertrain. The vehicle is praised by a subset of owners for its unique, quirky styling, surprisingly spacious interior for its compact footprint, good headroom, decent fuel economy (repo

  • Poor reliability / major component failures — very frequent complaints encompassing engines (2.4L oil consumption, piston ring failures), transmissions (9-speed automatic failures, jerky shifting, "reprogramming" required), and electrical systems (module failures, battery issues). Frequency: very frequent.
  • Underpowered, unrefined engines — sluggish acceleration, excessive engine noise when stressed, turbo lag (1.3L/1.4L), lack of passing power. The 2.4L is specifically criticized. Frequency: very frequent.
  • 9-speed automatic transmission problems — jerky shifts, hesitation, reliability concerns, high failure rates, particularly in early model years. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Electrical system gremlins — random warning lights, infotainment failures (especially older UConnect), battery drain issues, faulty modules (e.g., Powertrain Control Module). Frequency: very frequent.
  • MySky sunroof failures — mechanism prone to breaking, very expensive to repair, commonly cited as a design flaw. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Renegade.

Typical used price

Used Renegade listings typically run $11,976–$18,813 across 2015 to 2023 model years.

Other Renegade model years