Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 442 safety complaints
about the 2018 Jeep Renegade with the US government. Of those, 16 describe a crash, 8 mention a fire, 13 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the gasoline fuel system and the electrical system.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 190 complaints, 43% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 16,000 miles,
the median across the 228
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers May 2018 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
442 complaints on file
442
Complaints
16
Describe a crash
8
Mention fire
13
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints fell 46% year on year: 31 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 57 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 190 · 43%
190 43%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 131 · 30%
131 30%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 94 · 21%
94 21%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 90 · 20%
90 20%
POWER TRAIN 58 · 13%
58 13%
SERVICE BRAKES 17 · 4%
17 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 16 · 4%
16 4%
STEERING 11 · 2%
11 2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 11 · 2%
11 2%
AIR BAGS 9 · 2%
9 2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 9 · 2%
9 2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 9 · 2%
9 2%
077154
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 442.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2019 at 97.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Jeep RENEGADE, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV 2WD
SUV 4WD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
18.0%
23.0%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
2 on file
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
18V731000 · October 17, 2018
The defect
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/or high ambient temperatures, a manufacturing error in the fuel pump assembly may result in a loss of fuel pressure.
The risk
A loss of fuel pressure can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began April 26, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB2.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 21,104 vehicles across all model years covered
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
18V524000 · August 9, 2018
The defect
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 Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
The risk
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 12,779 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
3 injured · crash · towed · 91,000 miles
IN THE EVENT OF MY FRONTAL COLLISION, MY PATELLAR TENDON ON MY RIGHT LEG WAS RUPTURED AFTER MY KNEE IMPACTED THE PLASTIC STEERING COLUMN COVER WHICH HOUSES THE WINDSHEILD WIPER SWITCH, IGNTION SWITCH (PUSH-TO-START), AND TURN SIGNAL MULTIFUNCTION LEVER. MY INJURY REQUIRED SURGERY TO REPAIR MY RUPTURED TENDON. THIS TRIM PIECE DID NOT SHATTER NOR DID IT PROTECT MY KNEE DURING IMPACT WHICH CAUSED MY TRAUMA AND NOW DEBILITATING CONDITION. FOR REFERENCE I AM 5'9 225LBS AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT ON FEBURARY 21, 2020 *LN CONSUMER LIKE TO ADD KNEE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*JN
NHTSA complaint 11311885. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · fire · crash · towed · 24,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT STATED HER PARENTS OWNED A 2018 JEEP RENEGADE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED HER PARENTS WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT SENT THE VEHICLE OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHERE THEY WERE THEN HIT ON THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE BY A FORD F-150. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE POLICE WHO WAS ON THE SCENE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED VERY BAD INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS ALSO TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT WHERE …
NHTSA complaint 11348555, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
1 injured · fire · towed · 57,400 miles
The contact owned a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, she smelled a burning odor and noticed dark smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that as she opened the driver’s side door to exit the vehicle, the engine exploded, and the hood opened and caught on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with assistance. The contact sustained an injury to the ankle but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was …
NHTSA complaint 11426971, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 injured · fire · towed · 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated that after his daughter had driven the vehicle, parked, and powered off, 7 hours later, the interior passenger side panel of the door was engulfed in flames, which had by that time blackened the glass. The driver's boyfriend witnessed the flames originating from the glove compartment and attempted to extinguish the fire by hand, which failed but resulted in him sustaining injury to his right hand. The boyfriend was eventually able to extinguish the flames by disconnecting the battery. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but had yet to be deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A …
NHTSA complaint 11656613, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I put the car in reverse sometimes it takes it about a minute for my backup camera to appear on the radio screen. I am not able to take my vehicle in for inspection since I have no babysitter or another vehicle while it is getting looked at. Also my tire pressure system light came on saying the tire pressure system needs serviced and it won't show my tire pressures just dashes.
NHTSA complaint 11763109. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was driving down the interstate at a low speed due to traffic being backed up and my vehicle started stalling as I was driving at a lower speed. The week before I was driving at a low speed in a parking garage and my vehicle stalled while driving. And I was at a stop sign a couple months ago and it stalled on the hill. It's also stuttered trying to merge on the interstate. Other vehicles same year and model have been recalled but mine has not been included. Also the vehicle has trouble starting all the time.
NHTSA complaint 11757789. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Backup camera screen went out 2 months after purchasing. I googled and multiple forums including Reddit had 2018 renegade owners reporting the same thing Definitely a safety issue when half the screen is out. Unable to use backup camera as purposed for safe driving It also makes it diffCult and thus unsafe to make selections on the touch screen for radio Bluetooth and other important settings Screens and cameras are supposed to make it safer for drivers. In this case, it is a hazard! It only gets worse the while screen goes out the longer the jeep is in use
NHTSA complaint 11749992. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
66,000 miles
Car has 66,000 miles. Description of the Safety Defect and Incident:Component Malfunction: The radiator cooling fan motor and the low-speed resistor circuit suffered a complete internal electrical failure. The defective part is being removed and is available for inspection upon request.Safety Risk: While idling stationary in live traffic, the vehicle unexpectedly and severely overheated. This created an immediate, dangerous traffic-stall hazard that put my personal safety and the safety of surrounding drivers at risk of a collision.Professional Confirmation: The problem has been fully reproduced, diagnosed, and confirmed by a certified independent service center. Their diagnostic scan tool …
NHTSA complaint 11746210, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
109,465 miles
I am writing to report a severe safety defect regarding my 2018 Jeep Renegade. The vehicle suffers from an extreme internal oil consumption defect, burning 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles. According to certified automotive diagnostics, this is five times the normal operating rate. This rapid oil depletion causes the vehicle to abruptly lose power, stall, and completely shut down while driving in active traffic without warning. Sudden engine failure at highway speeds creates an immediate, critical risk of collisions. The vehicle’s history directly matches documented manufacturer issues. The original purchasing dealership notified me that the vehicle was impacted by Customer Satisfaction …
NHTSA complaint 11742647, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
towed
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Renegade. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated, lost motive power and stalled. The RPMS were significantly high during the failure. The vehcile required to be towed on some occasions. The contact stated that the failure occured when the gas tank was below half full. Additionally, the contact stated that while at a complete stop on several occasions, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact stated that the failures mainly occured while driving in significantly hot weather. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions, but the failure could not be …
NHTSA complaint 11741747, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed October 17, 2018.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst