Open the interior hood release, then release the exterior latch at the front and lift the hood. On 2018 Jeeps, the exact latch locations vary by model, but the two-step approach is the same for Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Compass, and Renegade.
Step-by-step opening procedure
Before you begin, park on a flat surface, engage the parking brake, and turn off the engine. If your vehicle has a hood prop rod, have it ready to secure the hood in the open position after you lift it.
- Inside release: locate the interior hood release lever under the driver's side dash, near knee level or the left kick panel. Pull the lever firmly to release the hood latch. You should hear a pop indicating the hood is unlatched from the secondary latch.
- Front latch: move to the front of the vehicle and locate the obvious latch at the center of the hood edge, where it meets the grille. The latch is a small lever or tab that you either lift or push to the side while gently lifting the hood. This is the primary latch you must disengage to fully open the hood.
- Open and support: on many 2018 Jeeps, the hood will stay in place with gas struts once fully released. If your model uses a prop rod, lift the hood slightly and secure it in the open position by placing the prop rod into the designated hole.
- Final check: slowly lower the hood until it is a few inches above the latch, then press down in the center until you hear a click, confirming the hood is fully closed when you're done.
These steps cover the general process and give you a solid starting point for opening a 2018 Jeep hood. If you run into trouble, consult the owner’s manual for your specific model to confirm latch locations and prop-rod use.
Model-specific notes
Wrangler (JL/JK, 2018 model year and other 2018+ editions)
The Wrangler’s interior hood release is located on the driver’s side under the dash, near the left knee or footwell. After pulling, walk to the hood and release the front center latch by lifting or pushing the latch to the side while lifting the hood. Most Wranglers use gas struts to hold the hood open, so you can lift and place the hood on its gas-assisted support without a prop rod.
Grand Cherokee (WK2, 2018)
Like most Jeep SUVs, the Grand Cherokee uses an interior hood release on the left side of the dash. The front hood latch is centered under the hood edge and must be disengaged by lifting or sliding the small lever. The hood is typically held open by gas struts; no prop rod is needed on this model in normal operation.
Cherokee/Renegade/Compass (2018)
These smaller Jeeps share the same general two-step process: pull the interior release under the dash on the driver’s side, then release the center latch on the hood at the front. Some configurations use a prop rod, while others rely on gas struts to hold the hood.
Safety tips and quick troubleshooting
If the hood won’t pop, avoid forcing the lever. Check for two-stage release: some models require you to pull the interior lever, then push the hood lightly at the front to hear the secondary latch release. If the hood lurches but won’t stay up, there may be a faulty prop rod or gas strut that needs replacement.
Summary
Opening the hood on a 2018 Jeep generally involves a two-step process: release the interior hood latch and then disengage the exterior front latch before lifting. The exact locations vary by model, but the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Compass, and Renegade all follow this pattern. When finished, ensure the hood is securely latched before driving again.