Recall 18V494 affects 702 2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles for a right front halfshaft defect. Repair is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
Jeep is recalling 702 2018 Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles because the right front halfshaft bearing cage was not properly heat treated. That failure can cause loss of drive power or allow the vehicle to move while in Park, which increases crash risk; Jeep dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The right front halfshaft on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive model is a rotating axle shaft that carries engine power to the right front wheel. It also has joints that let the wheel steer and move with the suspension while the shaft keeps turning. Inside the halfshaft assembly, a bearing cage keeps the bearing parts spaced correctly so the joint rotates smoothly under load.
On affected Cherokees, the bearing cage in that right front halfshaft was not heat treated correctly. Heat treatment is the metal-hardening step that gives the cage its required strength. If the cage is too weak, it can break inside the joint. Once that happens, the halfshaft assembly can fail instead of delivering power cleanly to the wheel.
A broken halfshaft bearing cage can make noise and cause vibration. If you notice new front-end noise or vibration while driving, treat it as a warning sign and have the vehicle checked.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Jeep Cherokee | drive axle |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 702 |
Not every 2018 Jeep Cherokee SUV is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
When the halfshaft bearing cage breaks, the halfshaft loses the ability to send engine power to the wheels, causing loss of drive. It also leaves the vehicle able to move while "Park" is selected, increasing crash risk. Noise or vibration is the warning sign; schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Jeep Cherokee is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule the free right-front-halfshaft replacement that fixes the failure-prone bearing cage.
- Bring the recall notice if Jeep mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V494 when you call.
- Use the parking brake every time you park until the repair is complete, and avoid driving if you notice loss of drive power.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Jeep technician replaces the front right halfshaft assembly covered by this recall. The bearing cage issue is handled by replacing the affected halfshaft assembly, not by adjusting or inspecting it alone. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related halfshaft repair before the recall notice, Jeep's owner letter instructs customers to send the original receipt or other proof of payment to the company for expense confirmation. Ask the service desk which documents to include before you submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 26, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 14, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 14, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 14, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 20, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V494?
Recall 18V494 covers 702 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles with a right front halfshaft bearing cage that was not properly heat treated. If the cage breaks, the halfshaft can fail, causing loss of drive or movement while in Park. Jeep dealers replace the front right halfshaft assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Jeep Cherokee is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Cherokee is included in recall 18V494. If it is, contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule replacement of the front right halfshaft assembly. Reference recall number 18V494 and Chrysler recall number U78 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. A franchised Jeep dealer will replace the affected front right halfshaft assembly free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk with recall 18V494?
The safety risk is loss of drive or unintended vehicle movement while the Cherokee is in Park. The defect is in the right front halfshaft bearing cage. If it breaks, the halfshaft no longer transmits engine power correctly, increasing crash risk. The dealer repair replaces the affected assembly.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V494000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V494 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V494000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →