2018 Jeep Wrangler: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Electrical · PA

CAN Bus is failing and giving me issues! Power steering stops working, auto stop start fails, I was taking off at an intersection and my vehicle lite up like a Christmas tree and would not shift out of first gear causing me to pull off the road at a dangerous spot.

Filed Dec 26, 2025 · Fuel system · IN

The vehicle experienced a fuel/propulsion failure involving sudden loss of engine power. After internal engine repairs performed by the dealership (camshaft and valvetrain work), the vehicle was returned to me as repaired and safe to operate. Within minimal post-repair driving (less than one mile), the vehicle entered limp mode, lost propulsion, and the engine shut down while driving in active traffic. The vehicle required towing back to the dealership. The loss of propulsion occurred on a busy city roadway and created an immediate safety risk to me and surrounding motorists due to the sudden inability to maintain speed or power, with a foreseeable risk of collision. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership. After subsequent inspection and teardown, the dealer documented catastrophic internal engine damage, including cylinder wall scoring and a failed head gasket. The dealership acknowledged that deeper inspection during the prior internal engine repair would have revealed the need for engine replacement. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership multiple times and by the dealership’s insurer. The manufacturer (Stellantis) has opened a customer care case. The vehicle is currently available for inspection and has been removed from service due to safety concerns. Prior to the failure, the vehicle displayed warning indicators and messages at the time of the incident, including limp mode activation and critical alerts immediately before and during the shutdown. No warnings were provided to me at the time the vehicle was returned from repair regarding unresolved internal engine risk or potential loss of propulsion.

Filed Sep 7, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · WA

After starting the Jeep Wrangler it will not shift into drive and it says shifter needs service, then ABS needs service start stop needs service, it keeps flashing these warnings. It can sit for a hour or day then becomes driveable, took to local mechanic he says it's a Jeep dealer problem (had several people with this problem) they did repairs, but call them and they say never heard of this problem. It's a 2018 Jeep Wrangler.

Filed Aug 15, 2023 · Electrical · 87,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power, and went into LIMP Mode. The windshield wipers also disengaged. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to turn off the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle after 30 minutes, and the vehicle responded as needed. The warning lights were no longer illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the computer system. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MA

Recurring issue with my Jeep where seemingly every light on the dash, as well as the blind spot detectors, illuminates. The lights are accompanies by warning messages that indicate that electronic stability control and parking sense are unavailable. ABS lights, Traction Control, stability control, the brake light, and prompts to service 4WD are present. The impact varies based on whether or not the car is in motion. When it is not, as in the case of a cold start, the transmission is locked in Park. When the car is in motion, power steering intermittently goes out. If you pull over and put the vehicle in park while the lights are illuminated (i.e. if they don't clear), the car will get stuck in park until the lights clear. I have had the vehicle towed to the Jeep dealership in Natick, MA twice and, while they've charged me nothing, they've been unable to help due to the issue clearing and a lack of persistent diagnostic logs. Aside from the inconvenience, the sudden loss of power steering presents a safety issue. This has been going on for months, though the safety concern with steering only presented yesterday.

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · MI

While driving vehicle will randomly have multiple warning lights on display suddenly appear (ABS, check engine, stability control, traction control, etc.) and speedometer would either go to 0 or read blank. In some instances power steering also cut out causing vehicle to swerve or jerk without warning. Spouse was scared to drive it when this happened and pulled over to have it towed. Did not want to have the vehicle suddenly swerve or lose control and hit cross traffic or pedestrian on side walk. This issue would then suddenly resolve itself and return to normal state. On some occasions, when vehicle was started, it would not shift out of park at first, but then would correct itself and allow it to be shifted out of park and driven. When check engine light was active, had codes checked and none were active, only stored. Indicated ABS sensor or ABS module errors. Was able to have Chrysler Dealer check into and after 5 days of troubleshooting, they worked with Chrysler Engineering to determine that there was a star CAN connector that was malfunctioning. Installed part 68321746AA for $84 and labor of $527 to resolve issue.

Filed Apr 21, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · WA

I'll be driving the jeep it's a 2018 rubicon jl and all of a sudden all the dash lights come on and if I stop the vehicle the D on the shifter will keep flashing and the jeep.wont move have taken into same dealership 7 times and it's continues to do the same thing they've changed abs module cleaned off grounds checked all plugs and connections and they keep saying it's fine. It's currently at the dealership for the same issue. It's been over a year of going to the dealership. Also one time.they told me it's ready came to pick it.up and it wouldn't go into drive.

Filed Jul 1, 2022 · Electrical · MI

When driving, vehicle will start throwing codes and lights, losing power steering and at times after this happens will not shift out of park. Also after this happens sometimes it will not start or shut off.

Filed Apr 1, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · MD

vehicle dash goes crazy. all warning lights come on. gauges act erratic. shifter lights blink. service abs, service traction control, service shift warnings flash. fans act erratic. power steering cuts out. when in park vehicle won't shift out of park. sometimes this happens when vehicle is first started. it is now happening while driving. this is a major safety concern since the power steering goes out while driving. i have had this vehicle to the dealership 3 times for this and they keep telling me they can't recreate the problem. when put on the scanner numerous codes come up.

Filed Sep 20, 2021 · Electrical · KS

Stop/Start feature began intermittently working only in March of 2020. Stopped working completely in May. On July 31, 2020 it began functioning. Never worked again after that day. In March 2021 I had the vehicle serviced and advised the dealership it was not functioning. No tests were run and was advised I needed to drive the vehicle more to keep the auxiliary battery charged. On September 12, 2021, vehicle would not start after driving it most of the day. Had to jump start to get running. Would not start the next morning. On 9/13/21, jump started and driven to dealership. R/O Number 6085781/1. Installed BBAUX101AB battery due to Start/Stop battery failed. Stop/Start was not functioning upon leaving dealership. Did not function until 9/19/21 at 8:50am at an intersection. Disengaged the function by pressing the button on the dash. Vehicle shut down, displayed push brake to start. Vehicle put in park. Would not start. Had to use pull cord under gear shift to get in neutral and push out of roadway. Jump started to drive. Vehicle displayed "Stop Safely, vehicle will shut off soon." while driving down the street. Upon arrival, put in reverse to enter driveway, vehicle stopped reversing, felt like it was in neutral, vehicle engine began racing, instrument panel began flashing warnings, had to forcefully hold the brake, would not shift in to park or drive. All gear lights lit up on gearshift. Was afraid the vehicle was going to accelerate and crash. Passengers immediately abandoned the vehicle. Pushed to the start button and vehicle finally shut down. Warning flashing were: Service Electronic Stability Control, Service Power Steering, Service Airbag System, Service 4WD, Service Antilock Brake System, Passenger Airbag On (with no passenger). Instrument needles began moving up and down and would not stop. Opened door and needles ticked, blank screen and a ding. Did this for over an hour before all stopped. Vehicle completely dead. Will not jumpstart.

Filed Jan 24, 2020 · Transmission · 32,000 miles · MO

Vehicle was driven and put into park. When restarted, even though I was able to move the gear shift, the jeep would not move out of park. One dealership said it coded as the transmission control module and supposedly replaced it along with a transmission flush. Left and drove the jeep, but it felt like it was always trying to shift into gear. Drove about 130 miles and had to get gas even though I was at 3/4 tank when I picked it up after "repairs". Turned the vehicle off, got gas and restarted it. Again, would not go into gear but I was able to move the gear shifter.

Filed Aug 10, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 10 miles · NM

My jeep rubicon jl floats or drifts as I am driving it. It makes for a hard drive on long drives and I must look like I am driving drunk to others on the road. It is even worse in wind and it's windy a lot where I live. It was very scary to drive at first. I do not like it or feel it is safe at all. Having never owned a jeep I thought it was just me or that the tires needed to be worn down a bit. The problem remains. While listening to fm/am stations the volume is wacky going low and high making for lousy listening. When the AC comes on on the higher setting my jeep sounds like I am getting ready for lift off. Very loud. One lever on my seat near the headrest that controls the ability for a passenger to get in my two door almost immediately became detached and I don't even have my back seat in a lot so it doesn't get used a lot. I have an automatic and it does not shift smoothly. Today I pulled out of a parking spot and my jeep surged forward faster than it should have and it often shifts poorly from park into drive and reverse. The sensor or heater electric wire on the inside of the tailgate window detached.