JeepCherokee20182.4L/jeep/cherokee/2018/2-4l/
KL platform

2018 Jeep Cherokee — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Cherokee 2.4L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.4L.

Body SUVEngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic 9-spd

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee, a compact SUV built on the KL platform, pairs its unibody construction with a standard 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir inline-four engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg combined while requiring 5.5 quarts of 0W-20 oil for service intervals. With 679 owner complaints filed that year—primarily centered on powertrain issues—and seven recalls issued, this model year occupies a mid-pack position in the Cherokee’s broader reliability timeline, neither the most troubled nor the most refined, reflecting a period of ongoing refinement between the 2014 peak in reported problems and the significantly quieter 2023 model.

Model year201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 68191349AC
Engine air filter52022378AB
Spark plugSP149125AF alt SP148183AD
BatteryBBH6F001AA alt BBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades68197139AA alt 68197138AC
Serpentine belt04627166AC alt 04627534AA
Thermostat05047264AB alt 04893377AA
Cabin air filter68535619AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 9-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3942 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2018 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.50 sec — 2014 Limited
184 hpHorsepower (as tested)
171 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014Limited 2.4L I-49.50 sec17.20 sec184 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, 70W-80 · MS-2395 · MS-2155 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMopar ZF Automatic transmission fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil70W-80 · MS-2395 · MS-2155
Engine CoolantMS-12106
Engine Coolant Capacity7.2
Engine CoolantMS-12106
Engine Coolant Capacity10.0

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)36.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)37.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts9 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148.0
Rear Wheel Hub148.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerJeep
Spark Plug Gap.047 in
Spark Plug Torque20 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant CapacityR134a
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum53.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum63.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)53.0-63.0 psi
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque32
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 129; Rear: 89
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.024; Rear: .315
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0003; Rear: .0004
Maximum Rotor Runout.0008

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 657.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6837 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 33.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 75 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Step 4: 50 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Step 5: Loosen bolts in reverse sequence Step 6: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 7: 33.0 ft. lbs. Step 8: 70 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Step 9: 70 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Bolts should be checked for stretching using a straight edge. Ay bolts that show stretching should be replaced.22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Bolts stamped with the letter B or the number 6 use the following torque procedure.

111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees; Bolts stamped with the letter M.11 ft. lbs
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees11 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Bolts stamped b or 6

111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
220.0 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs
345.0 degrees; Bolts stamped m45 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
233.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
345.0
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep 180 mm bolts

111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
224.0 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
390.0 degrees; 185 mm bolts90 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
222.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
390.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee posts 679 complaints, 7 recalls, 1 investigation, and 209 TSBs in the federal record. Across the KL generation captured in this dataset, complaints peaked at 2636 in 2014 and trended downward each successive year through 2018, making it the lowest-complaint mature model year in that run and well below the generation average. However, 2019 complaints more than doubled to 1588 before tapering sharply, so 2018 sits at a local trough immediately before a sharp rebound whose root cause the data does not specify. Within 2018, Power Train leads complaint areas with 198 filings, followed by Unknown Or Other (98), Engine (65), and Electrical System (57), and the year carries 11 crash-related and 5 fire-related complaints that warrant attention. Recall count (7) ticked up slightly from 2017's 6 but remains well below 2014–2016 levels, and the single open investigation indicates limited active federal scrutiny. The concrete takeaway: 2018 is a defensible used buy on raw complaint volume, but the 2019 spike immediately following and the powertrain-dominant complaint pattern argue for a pre-purchase inspection focused on the drivetrain and electrical system, plus written confirmation that all seven recalls have been completed.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
209
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
679
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 679 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train198
Unknown Or Other98
Engine65
Electrical System57
Power Train,Electrical System23
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other23
Power Train,Engine14
Service Brakes14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V282000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 01/05/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine. These vehicles may have been manufactured with a fuel tube that may leak fuel into the engine compartment. Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tube, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer…

18V494000Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle ShaftReported 26/07/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 209 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S2208000045 REV.D2026-06-26StructureBackup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
S2523000003 REV.A2026-04-22StructureDoor Latch, Handle And Ajar Additional Service Information.
21-027-26 REV. A2026-04-11Power TrainTwo Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
21-027-262026-04-08Power TrainTwo Speed Power Transfer Unit Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
1114322026-04-08Power TrainD-26-10 (XX1) Two Speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) - Select 2017 - 2019 Jeep Cherokee (KL)

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cherokee. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Cherokee 2.4L take?

5.5 qt of 0W-20 Use oil meeting Chrysler specification MS-10725 or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.