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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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10,000 miles · Nov 6, 2020
Engine

THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE INSTANCE AND EACH TIME IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. THE INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT IS FOR THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, BUT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #11373526

21,000 miles · Nov 6, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY VEHICLE WILL NOT START ON THE FIRST TRY HAVE TO TRY ABOUT 7 TIMES. THE RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING, AND I KEEP GETTING RANDOM ERROR MESSAGES POPPING UP ON MY SCREEN.

NHTSA ODI #11373416

20,000 miles · Nov 5, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

THE U CONNECT DISPLAY PANEL >GPS/ RADIO ETC. SHUTS DOWN BY ITSELF WHILE I'M DRIVING THE VEHICLE( IN MOTION) ,THE SCREEN GOES BLACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THEN RESTARTS ITSELF, ALSO WHILE I'M DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH THE ENGINE OR MOTOR ( NOT SURE) MAKES A LOUD SOUND LIKE ITS DOWN SHIFTING ON ITS OWN, ALMOST LIKE ENGINE B…

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THE U CONNECT DISPLAY PANEL >GPS/ RADIO ETC. SHUTS DOWN BY ITSELF WHILE I'M DRIVING THE VEHICLE( IN MOTION) ,THE SCREEN GOES BLACK FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THEN RESTARTS ITSELF, ALSO WHILE I'M DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH THE ENGINE OR MOTOR ( NOT SURE) MAKES A LOUD SOUND LIKE ITS DOWN SHIFTING ON ITS OWN, ALMOST LIKE ENGINE BRAKING?

NHTSA ODI #11373261

40,000 miles · Nov 2, 2020
Engine

MY 2018 JEEP COMPASS WILL STALL WHEN STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN INCREASING MY CHANCES OF CRASHING. IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN 10 MINS TO RESTART AND IT WILL STRUGGLE TO TURN BACK ON. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TWICE TO DEALERSHIP SHOP AND THEY SAY THEY FIXED IT BUT IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11372773

3 miles · Nov 2, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE IN MOTION THE ELECTRIC EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL INGAGE ON ITS ON CAUSE THE CAR TO SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN AND STOP, VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY OF IN TRAFFIC. ANOTHER ISSUE WHILE IN MOTION AT RANDOM TIMES THE ' ENGINE' OR TRANSMISSION'? FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS? AND MAKES IT HARD FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND SA…

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WHILE IN MOTION THE ELECTRIC EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL INGAGE ON ITS ON CAUSE THE CAR TO SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN AND STOP, VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY OF IN TRAFFIC. ANOTHER ISSUE WHILE IN MOTION AT RANDOM TIMES THE ' ENGINE' OR TRANSMISSION'? FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS? AND MAKES IT HARD FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND SAYS SERVICE ENGINE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE CAR RESTART SO THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T HEAT UP

NHTSA ODI #11372592

40,000 miles · Oct 29, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

2018 JEEP COMPASS WITH AROUND 40,000 MILES WILL SHUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS 30-70 MPH, LEAVING THE POWER STEERING, ELECTRICAL, AND ENGINE DISABLED UNTIL THE CAR IS PARKED, POWER IS OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN THE CAR WILL TURN BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES TO THIS VEHICLE IN THE LAST FEW WE…

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2018 JEEP COMPASS WITH AROUND 40,000 MILES WILL SHUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS 30-70 MPH, LEAVING THE POWER STEERING, ELECTRICAL, AND ENGINE DISABLED UNTIL THE CAR IS PARKED, POWER IS OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN THE CAR WILL TURN BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES TO THIS VEHICLE IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI #11367030

44,320 miles · Oct 29, 2020
EnginePower Train

THE ENGINE USES EXCESSIVE OIL AND THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY

NHTSA ODI #11367023

46,000 miles · Oct 27, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I TOOK IN MY VEHICLE ABOUT A MONTH AGO TO GET A FIX ON A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ISSUE. IT SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM WHEN I HAD MY AC ON AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN ON. I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND IT WOULD MAKE A JERKING MOVEMENT WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO DRIVE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN ABOUT A MON…

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I TOOK IN MY VEHICLE ABOUT A MONTH AGO TO GET A FIX ON A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ISSUE. IT SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM WHEN I HAD MY AC ON AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN ON. I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND IT WOULD MAKE A JERKING MOVEMENT WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO DRIVE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. WELL TODAY I GET IN MY CAR TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE DMV AND AS I'M LEAVING THE STREET I LIVE ON MY CAR STOPS WITH NO WARNING. I LET IT REST FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN TURN IT ON AGAIN; IT HESITATES TO TURN ON MAKING A WEIRD SOUND THEN TURNS ON ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER. I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT STARTS TO DRIVE BUT THEN JERKS AND COMPLETELY STOPS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND IF I KNEW I WOULD HAVE ALL THESE ISSUES WITH IT AND BE FEARFUL THAT I COULD'VE GOTTEN INTO A CRASH OR WORSE ON THE HIGHWAY- I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT!

NHTSA ODI #11366607

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2020
EnginePower TrainCrash

CAR KEEPS STOPPING AT LIGHT AND NOT WANTING TO TURN BACK ON

NHTSA ODI #11365777

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TWICE MY VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SEIZE UP, EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGES WITHOUT ME SETTING IT AND UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS.

NHTSA ODI #11364885

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.