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2018 Jeep Compass

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Compass years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Jeep Compass are substantially higher than the model-year median of 126.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

478 reports with mileage · 463 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 473 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 375 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports5 fire reports14 injury reports

Engine complaints

473 reports
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28,544 miles · Apr 20, 2021
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

MY CAR FLASHED A WARNING TO "STOP SAFELY VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF SOON" AND CAR SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET! THERE IS A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT MINE WASN'T INCLUDED, I GUESS. A CAR GOING DOWN THE STREET AND SUDDENLY COMING TO A COMPLETE, UNINITIATED STOP IS EXTR…

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MY CAR FLASHED A WARNING TO "STOP SAFELY VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF SOON" AND CAR SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET! THERE IS A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL BUT MINE WASN'T INCLUDED, I GUESS. A CAR GOING DOWN THE STREET AND SUDDENLY COMING TO A COMPLETE, UNINITIATED STOP IS EXTREMELY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I WOULD THINK IF THIS IS HAPPENING, THEN THE PCM SHOULD BE REPLACED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T ON BOARD WITH THIS. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THEY CAN'T RE-CREATE THE ERROR. MY SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2018 JEEP COMPASS.

NHTSA ODI #11413035

20,000 miles · Apr 14, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT PROPERLY CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER KEENE JEEP LOCATED AT 410 WINCHESTER ST, KEENE, NH 03431 WHO REPLACED THE ENGINE BUT THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT PROPERLY CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER KEENE JEEP LOCATED AT 410 WINCHESTER ST, KEENE, NH 03431 WHO REPLACED THE ENGINE BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A TREE STUMP. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED, NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE ODOR OF COOLANT WAS ALSO PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BECOME ILL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER CONTEMPORARY JEEP LOCATED AT 30 HAMMOND RD, MILFORD, NH 03055 AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11408056

46,250 miles · Apr 12, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE START/STOP FEATURE WAS ENGAGED. WHEN MY FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED TO RESTART IT AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE BATTERY WAS NOT DEAD AS THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING AS WELL AS MANY WARNING LIGHTS ILLU…

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THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE START/STOP FEATURE WAS ENGAGED. WHEN MY FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED TO RESTART IT AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE BATTERY WAS NOT DEAD AS THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING AS WELL AS MANY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN THREE YEARS THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE. THE DIAGNOSES SEEMS TO BE DIFFERENT EACH TIME, BUT ULTIMATELY I TAKE IT IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF FOUR LANE HIGHWAY. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE ON THE INTERSTATE. EVENTUALLY THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND COULD POSSIBLY KILL ME OR MY FAMILY. IT'S HAPPENED TWICE IN START/STOP MODE AT A STOP LIGHT AND ONCE IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11407816

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE ONLY HAD 25000 MILES AND HAD ELECTRIC ISSUES, ACCELERATION ISSUES, STOP AND GO WOULD STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING PUTTING ME AND MY CHILD IN DANGER. ONLY GOING A HIGH OF 50 ON THE FREEWAY THEN SLOWING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, PLUS REPLACING 2 BATTERIES A YEAR SINCE HAVING THE CAR. I HAVE SENT INFORMATION TO C…

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VEHICLE ONLY HAD 25000 MILES AND HAD ELECTRIC ISSUES, ACCELERATION ISSUES, STOP AND GO WOULD STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING PUTTING ME AND MY CHILD IN DANGER. ONLY GOING A HIGH OF 50 ON THE FREEWAY THEN SLOWING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, PLUS REPLACING 2 BATTERIES A YEAR SINCE HAVING THE CAR. I HAVE SENT INFORMATION TO CORPORATE. ITEMS HAVE CLEARLY BEEN DOCUMENTED BUT NOTHING DONE TO SOLVE THE ISSUE THAT CONTINUES.

NHTSA ODI #11406301

55,000 miles · Mar 29, 2021
Engine

ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON ROADWAY LOSS OF OIL IS NOT SAFE ON HIGHWAY FOR FEAR ON CUTTING OF.WILL START BACK UP 10 MINUTES AFTER STALLING

NHTSA ODI #11405464

3,000 miles · Mar 28, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN ON ME AUTOMATICALLY WHILE PULLING ONTO HIGHWAYS AT 60MPH IT ENGAGED PARKING BRAKE AND DISPLAYED A MESSAGE ON SCREEN THAT STATED "PLACE SHIFTER INTO PARK AND RESTART". I HEADED FOR THE DEALERSHIP INSTANTLY. AFTER OIL CONSUMPTION TEST IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD BE REPLACED. ENGINE WAS REPLACE M…

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CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN ON ME AUTOMATICALLY WHILE PULLING ONTO HIGHWAYS AT 60MPH IT ENGAGED PARKING BRAKE AND DISPLAYED A MESSAGE ON SCREEN THAT STATED "PLACE SHIFTER INTO PARK AND RESTART". I HEADED FOR THE DEALERSHIP INSTANTLY. AFTER OIL CONSUMPTION TEST IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD BE REPLACED. ENGINE WAS REPLACE MID NOVEMBER 2020. NOT EVEN 3000 MILES ON THE NEW ENGINE IT ONCE AGIAN STALLED OUT AND ENGAGED PARKING BRAKE. OIL IS NOT LOW. "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" IS ON AND CAR BOGS DOWN WHEN ACCELERATED. CAN NOT DRIVE IN NORMAL TRAFFIC. ALMOST LIKE TRANSMISSION IS GOING. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN UNDER 2YRS OLD AN ITS OUR ONLY CAR! I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFTEY OF THE JEEP AND IT DEFINITELY IS NOT 5HERE AT ALL! MY WIFE AND I DO NOT TRUST DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ONE MORE MILE.

NHTSA ODI #11405280

44,000 miles · Mar 23, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. INTERMITTENTLY. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY JERKS INTO GEAR. INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL RESTART. KEY FOBS (MAIN FOB AND SPARE) INTERMITTENTLY DO NOT FUNCTION. (BATTERIES ARE NOT THE ISSUE)

NHTSA ODI #11404425

7,000 miles · Mar 22, 2021
Engine

I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR CLOSE TO A YEAR AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. EACH TIME WHEN I'M CALLED TO PICK UP THE CAR AND AM TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOLVED/REPAIRED, I DRIVE A FEW BLOCKS AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE STOP/START FEATURE CONKS OUT. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM…

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I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR CLOSE TO A YEAR AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. EACH TIME WHEN I'M CALLED TO PICK UP THE CAR AND AM TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOLVED/REPAIRED, I DRIVE A FEW BLOCKS AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE STOP/START FEATURE CONKS OUT. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS IN THAT I DON'T KNOW IF THERE TRULY IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE OR IS IT JUST A FAULTY LIGHT. THE START/STOP FEATURE DOESN'T ALARM ME AS MUCH, BUT IT ADDS TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ENGINE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11404333

57,000 miles · Mar 22, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL ALL START TO FLASH, CANNOT ACCELERATE CAR, CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER AS BEST I CAN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THESE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR EATING UP OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE PROBLEM IS TEMPORARILY FIXED BY ADDING A QUART OF ENGINE OIL. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST ONC…

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THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL ALL START TO FLASH, CANNOT ACCELERATE CAR, CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER AS BEST I CAN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THESE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR EATING UP OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE PROBLEM IS TEMPORARILY FIXED BY ADDING A QUART OF ENGINE OIL. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH AND IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING. THERE IS NO 'LOW OIL' LIGHT THAT COMES ON. I HAVE YOUNG KIDS AND I FEEL STUCK WITH THIS LEMON. I ALSO HEAR A LOUD RATTLING COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, UNDER THE HOOD BUT CANNOT SEE ANYTHING. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AND WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO SOMETHING ELECTRICAL, IT CAUSED MY BATTERY TO COMPLETELY DIE. THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #11404212

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2021
Engine

THESE ENGINE IS USING UP ALL THE OIL EVERY 1000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11403880

Official recalls

6

18V523000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Aug 9, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.

18V524000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Aug 9, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

18V279000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

May 1, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles. The front lower control arms may be incorrectly welded, potentially resulting in a control arm separation.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the lower control arm separates, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U42.

17V732000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Nov 21, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles. The passenger side air bag assembly may have inflator mounting nuts loose within the module assembly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, unsecured inflator mounting nuts outside of the cushion assembly are potential projectiles that may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T73.

17V740000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Nov 21, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017-2018 Jeep Compass vehicles. The brightness of the backlighting for the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) cannot be adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An instrument cluster that is too bright, and cannot be dimmed, can reduce the driver's ability to see at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update IPC software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 8, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T70.

17V670000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Oct 24, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.