2018 Jeep Cherokee: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V011000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood with a burning odor. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to allow the smoke to clear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power transfer unit had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the recall remedy part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

Filed May 26, 2023 · Engine · AZ

Please note we are religious about vehicle care, maintenance and safety. What I describe was not due to lack of maintenance and had zero warning. In early April, we were driving our Jeep on State Route 69 in Arizona and from one moment to the next went from completely normal to engine heating, smoking and alerts telling us to turn off the vehicle immediately while we were driving 50 mph with no where to pull off. We were fortunate to be close to our local Costo in Prescott and coasted into the parking lot. We quickly learned we had no engine coolant but didn't understand why since we bring our Jeep in for routine oil changes, fluid, tire and brake checks. The following week our Jeep was towed to our mechanic who discovered the coolant hose had a hole in it caused by the friction created by it laying against the air filter. This was the original design of this vehicle and should have been recalled because there is no way of knowing you have a problem until something is about to explode. We are very fortunate the engine did not blow up and cause an accident as it very well could have. Because we thought Jeep had a good reputation, we reported this to them with photos of the damage, the repair bill, the sequence of events, our mechanics contact information if they wanted to talk to him, etc.. but they did not care and are not willing to assist. Our mechanic also shared that when he called the local Jeep dealer in our area, that they had these coolant hoses well stocked as if they know it's a problem yet they don't bother to recall these vehicles because of it. We speculate any accident involving the same design where the engine exploded or caught fire, is because of this problem, and Jeep needs to do something about it. We for one would like to be reimbursed for this ridiculous repair. We have to other very old vehicles (GMC w 270k miles and a Ford w over 400k miles), never have we had to replace the engine coolant hose.

Filed Feb 4, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 31,141 miles · GA

Car stalled and the panel stated shift to park on panel and would not crank back. Tried multiple times and had a long hard crank and engine finally caught up and cranked. Shifted into park and went about 1000 - 1500 feet and it died again. Waited and tried to crank again and went to hard crank again before starting. Took to dealer and they claimed low oil. This is the reason for going dead. Stated I needed oil changes every 5k after I was told initially 10 k then at 1st oil change told 7500k and then at this problem they stated no it was definately 5 k. This time, panel lights up and says service shifter soon. All lights on drive shifter lights up. Not just on park or reverse or drive. All lights illuminated. They come and go. I also have smelled something burning the last day or so as well. Could not confirm yet. I will continue to watch out for this. 1st date 12/4/19 and serviced at dealer on 12/5/19 mileage 31146 and now this is 2/4/20 mileage today is 34116

Filed Apr 26, 2019 · 2,200 miles · TX · fire

Car caught fire. Manufacturer did not investigate. Dealership where it was towed tampered with evidence

Filed Aug 16, 2018 · 16,000 miles · IL · fire

A few minutes after parking my car, neighbors reported an "explosion" and looked outside to see the front of the car engulfed in flames *bf updated 11/26/18