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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

Visibility/wiper complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2026
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

Issue occurs in [XXX] during normal daily driving, including while reversing and operating the vehicle at low speeds. The malfunctioning touchscreen interferes with safe vehicle operation in parking areas, residential streets, and regular traffic conditions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA…

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Issue occurs in [XXX] during normal daily driving, including while reversing and operating the vehicle at low speeds. The malfunctioning touchscreen interferes with safe vehicle operation in parking areas, residential streets, and regular traffic conditions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11725241

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

Car is equipped with a backup camera, but unfortunately, the infotainment screen is failing, and the rearview camera is distorted and unable to provide clear rear visibility. This is a common problem with these, and I suspect it is a failed cooling fan for the infotainment unit. It is only a matter of time that the screen will…

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Car is equipped with a backup camera, but unfortunately, the infotainment screen is failing, and the rearview camera is distorted and unable to provide clear rear visibility. This is a common problem with these, and I suspect it is a failed cooling fan for the infotainment unit. It is only a matter of time that the screen will be a complete failure and hopefully not during a reversing evolution. My vehicle only has 60k miles. I have not taken it to the dealer because I do not have another vehicle to drive if this is in the shop for 2 weeks just to be inspected. Feel free to investigate my vehicle for this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11656229

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2023
Visibility/wiperCrashInjury

I was recently involved in an accident driv'g 2018 Jeep Compass: no significant injury (so far) to a jogger, who was invisible due to a blind spot @driver-side A-pillar/mirror. I touched him w my car (5mph per police rept). It has taken me a month to understand why the accident occurred. I didn't see the jogger— he was NEVER w/i…

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I was recently involved in an accident driv'g 2018 Jeep Compass: no significant injury (so far) to a jogger, who was invisible due to a blind spot @driver-side A-pillar/mirror. I touched him w my car (5mph per police rept). It has taken me a month to understand why the accident occurred. I didn't see the jogger— he was NEVER w/in my scope of view. I was ticketed for failing to stop; I did stop but proceeded too soon...not writing to argue fault--- I accept that humans in crosswalks have right-of-way. A few years ago, I had a close call at an intersection w a truck coming (upgrade) from the right— it was early morning & I thot the near-miss was an artifact of pre-dawn light. Now I believe that as we converged at the intersection, the truck remained obscured until I had entered the intersection to make my left turn. Recently a friend who works at a gas station named the car part (A-pillar) & identified it as a “blind spot.” ...brand new concepts (to me) regarding this car part. I've never heard of them before— not fm the sales rep during test drive, nor fm techs during dealership service, nor fm other drivers. Ask your sister if she knows where the A-pillar is. "A-pillar blind spot" is not in the User Manual. The Compass has electronic blind-spot-monitoring (BSM) for vehicles that linger on either side of the car. There is extensive guidance about side-BSM in the owner’s manual, in add'n to boxed warnings @ using the back-up camera. "A-pillar blind spot" is not mentioned or warned about. However, in looking at Compass-Owner discussion group comments, I find this is an issue for other Compass owners, at least since 2011. All talk discussion is about near-miss with pedestrians, plus other vehicles as I described above.

NHTSA ODI #11544361

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

The Jeep started to get vertical lines in the 7 inch u connect screen. At first you could tap it and it would reset. Now, it is completely covered with vertical lines, the radio works, however the problem is the back camera does not show what is behind you due to the screen covered in vertical lines. It also does not show any …

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The Jeep started to get vertical lines in the 7 inch u connect screen. At first you could tap it and it would reset. Now, it is completely covered with vertical lines, the radio works, however the problem is the back camera does not show what is behind you due to the screen covered in vertical lines. It also does not show any information it is suppose to.

NHTSA ODI #11491705

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2021
Visibility/wiper

The backup camera doesn’t activate when going into reverse intermittently. Sometimes it has a very long delay too.

NHTSA ODI #11443145

20,100 miles · Dec 28, 2020
Visibility/wiper

DRIVER SIDE WIPER BLADE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM, RESULTING IN WIPER ARM SMACKING BACK AGAINST WINDSHIELD AND CRACKING GLASS. HAD TO GET WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND NEW WIPER BLADES. VERY DANGEROUS. PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED REPLACEMENT BLADE ALSO FELL OFF DURING USE DURING RAIN STORM ON CHRISTMAS EVE, LEAVING ME STRA…

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DRIVER SIDE WIPER BLADE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM, RESULTING IN WIPER ARM SMACKING BACK AGAINST WINDSHIELD AND CRACKING GLASS. HAD TO GET WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND NEW WIPER BLADES. VERY DANGEROUS. PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED REPLACEMENT BLADE ALSO FELL OFF DURING USE DURING RAIN STORM ON CHRISTMAS EVE, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY. WHY IS THIS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL WITH 2019 /20 MODELS? VERY VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11385284

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2020
SuspensionVisibility/wiper

THIS IS A TWO-YEAR-OLD CAR REQUIRING STRUT REPLACEMENT. NEVER DRIVEN OFF-ROAD AND NEVER DRIVEN ON A FLAT TIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11374313

9,000 miles · Oct 9, 2019
Visibility/wiper

AS THE PASSENGER WINDSHIELD WIPER SWEEPS ACROSS THE GLASS IT HESITATES BRIEFLY DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF & IN THE LINE OF THE DRIVERS VISION . RESULTING IN A SERIOUS VISION OBSTRUCTION. DUMPING ALL OF THE WATER NOW AND SNOW IN WINTER RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER ! AT NIGHT IN THE DARK THE SITUATION BECOMES A PROBLEM !

NHTSA ODI #11267550

29,000 miles · Jul 9, 2019
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

REAR BACKUP CAMERA FAILS TO WORK WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE,, INSTEAD SHOWING A BLACK SCREEN AND CAUSING THE COMPUTER TO FREEZE OCCASIONALLY REQUIRING POWER OFF OF THE CAR TO BRING SCREEN BACK UP.

NHTSA ODI #11230373

35,919 miles · Jun 6, 2019
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARRY SANDERS SUPERCENTER (LOCATED AT 4120 W 6TH AVE, STILLWATER, OK 74074, (405) 571-0555) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BARRY SANDERS SUPERCENTER (LOCATED AT 4120 W 6TH AVE, STILLWATER, OK 74074, (405) 571-0555) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,919.

NHTSA ODI #11218375

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.