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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

Seat Belts complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2026
Seat Belts

For at least two months the driver's seat belt buckle intermittently unlatches or won't stay latched in my 2018 Jeep Compass. Because it's a critical safety component, I hope that Jeep may offer a goodwill repair or replacement, especially because the failure is due to a defective buckle.

NHTSA ODI #11751865

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2025
Seat Belts

Seat belt buckle rear left, yes Child buckled up and noticed it came unbuckled. No, I have purchased another own that also failed No No

NHTSA ODI #11684089

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2025
Air BagsSeat BeltsSuspension

When starting the vehicle the error message comes on with the man holding the air bag and it comes on bigger in the dashboard too. And feels like the car runs hotter with this message on. If someone is riding in the passenger side and I get into an accident. It could be deadly for that person. So the area is on the passenger sid…

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When starting the vehicle the error message comes on with the man holding the air bag and it comes on bigger in the dashboard too. And feels like the car runs hotter with this message on. If someone is riding in the passenger side and I get into an accident. It could be deadly for that person. So the area is on the passenger side. Yes spoke to the dealer at Flow Volvo in Greensboro NC, and she know about the problem of the car also. I do see in 2017 there was a patrolman that noted the kbb about the situation. Now I was no there so I do know abything about it,just read this on the kbb information for the car. And as I have stated when you start the car the the warning lamp with the man comes on small holding the air bag and in the dashboard also. Also uploading pictures of the warning lamps.

NHTSA ODI #11672116

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2025
Seat Belts

Both the passenger and diver seat belts don't latch correctly. Causing them to randomly un-latch while driving or even just initially trying to latch them when getting in. There is no odd movements causing this and they sound and act as if there is no problem until the un-latch. Have had a mechanic look into it and they confirme…

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Both the passenger and diver seat belts don't latch correctly. Causing them to randomly un-latch while driving or even just initially trying to latch them when getting in. There is no odd movements causing this and they sound and act as if there is no problem until the un-latch. Have had a mechanic look into it and they confirmed that isn't not an every time failure but they are unsure as to why it works and then doesn't since it functions as it's supposed to. The only warning I get for this is the unbuckled light/sound after the incident happens.

NHTSA ODI #11666465

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2025
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsSeats

Electrical

NHTSA ODI #11647792

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2024
Seat BeltsStructureUnknown Or Other

Since 2023, my vehicle has had water leakage coming from the back right passenger side from the seat belt opening and right side of the back trunk. This is a major concern because my son’s car seat is seated on the right back seat where the water leakage is coming from. I don’t want any mold to grow under his car seat or on his …

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Since 2023, my vehicle has had water leakage coming from the back right passenger side from the seat belt opening and right side of the back trunk. This is a major concern because my son’s car seat is seated on the right back seat where the water leakage is coming from. I don’t want any mold to grow under his car seat or on his car seat. Also I gave jumper cables in the back of my trunk for safety. What if they were to get soak and wet then they are not able to work. Also I put my groceries in the trunk of my car. I don’t want them to get spoiled or become contaminated.

NHTSA ODI #11589382

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2024
Seat Belts

Unknown. The rear seat belts in the vehicle are being ripped by the plastic trim that the belts go into. There was no accident or anything.

NHTSA ODI #11569840

19,000 miles · Oct 28, 2019
EnginePower TrainSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP COMPASS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EASTCHESTER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (718-547-5500, LOCATED AT 4007 BOSTON RD, BRONX, NY 10466) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS NOT PROVI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP COMPASS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EASTCHESTER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (718-547-5500, LOCATED AT 4007 BOSTON RD, BRONX, NY 10466) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO GET A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS AND THE DEALER WOULD REIMBURSE HIM. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER PROPERLY AND SHE SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY CENTER FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT WAS NOT TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE. THE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT PERFORMED AS EXPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,000.

NHTSA ODI #11271642

37,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashFireInjury

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END AND FRONT END COLLISION, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME REAR-ENDED THE JEEP COMPASS AT APPROX 50 MPH PUSHING ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE JEEP COMPASS. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE'S SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK CAUS…

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THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END AND FRONT END COLLISION, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME REAR-ENDED THE JEEP COMPASS AT APPROX 50 MPH PUSHING ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE JEEP COMPASS. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE'S SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK CAUSING MYSELF TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI #11267861

9,450 miles · Jun 14, 2019
Seat Belts

PASSENGER BACKSEAT SEATBELT BUCKLE, INSIDE BROKE APART AND IS UNABLE TO RECEIVE THE TONGUE. CAR WAS STATIONARY. DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO BUCKLE HERSELF IN SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #11219984

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.