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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

941 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2023
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

My gas pedal stuck flat to the floor and the plastic gas pedal broke causing me to hit a cement pillar in front of Knick trip

NHTSA ODI #11558206

21,000 miles · Dec 1, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the 4-WD, ABS, Hill Assist, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the differential malfunctioned due to a tightening and then releasing that occurred while attempting to steer the vehicle. The ve…

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The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the 4-WD, ABS, Hill Assist, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the differential malfunctioned due to a tightening and then releasing that occurred while attempting to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed and determined that the rear ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and then confirmed that parts were not available nor longer in production. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #11557875

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2023
Power Train

SUV has died several times for no reason. Taken to dealership several times. They laugh and say it’s normal for this compass. Engine oil is constantly low and they say that it’s common for oil to just disappear on these suvs. Nothing can be recreated at the dealership each time. I’ve been driving down the road with two kids in t…

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SUV has died several times for no reason. Taken to dealership several times. They laugh and say it’s normal for this compass. Engine oil is constantly low and they say that it’s common for oil to just disappear on these suvs. Nothing can be recreated at the dealership each time. I’ve been driving down the road with two kids in the car and traffic behind me and the car just dies and doesn’t want to restart. This morning my heater stopped working. No lights came on. No sensors went off. Car was out of coolant and not one single low sensor light came on. Oil has to be added in between each 3000 mile oil change. Seat has broken twice. No sensors for oil low. No sensors for coolant. Nothing to let you know your engine is 3.5 quarts low of oil before the 3000 mile oil change is due. It’s bad when the dealership knows all of this and it’s considered normal to spend $28000 on a vehicle which has all these issues! Now there is a popping noise when you turn the wheels and i see the lower control arms are on recall but not for mine. Engine oil issue is on recall but not for mine. Is it going to take someone getting killed when their car stalls out before anything is done? I’ve also had to replace the batteries already last year and now my auto start stop system has quit working again. Last time this happened it was the battery. So I’m going to have to replace it again. Worst vehicle I’ve ever had.

NHTSA ODI #11557195

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2023
Engine

I was driving to work and my car stopped accelerating on its own. My speedometer read 0 and I rolled into a parking lot. I was not able to drive any longer. I turned the car off, then turned it back on. The car made a loud grinding noise, then turned on. I was able to leave the parking lot and started driving home, less than ha…

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I was driving to work and my car stopped accelerating on its own. My speedometer read 0 and I rolled into a parking lot. I was not able to drive any longer. I turned the car off, then turned it back on. The car made a loud grinding noise, then turned on. I was able to leave the parking lot and started driving home, less than half a mile away. I entered my driveway and it happened again. I rolled to a stop in front of my house then turned the car off. This also happened to my 2008 Jeep Compass. Car parts.com states “: the CVT transmission on their Jeep Compass would overheat whenever the outside temperature is high or when they’re driving at high speeds on the interstate. Their vehicles would suddenly produce unusual whining noises and lose the ability to maintain their speed.” This is what happened to me, 3 times in the last week.

NHTSA ODI #11556747

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

High Coolant Temperature Message appears on the dash and engine shuts off regardless of speed. Happens very often

NHTSA ODI #11556379

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

I have notice for some time now that I have been getting oil changes done before my scheduled time. For example, I got my oil changed August 25, 2023, at 66403 mileages. According to the return for service sticker next service date is February 25, 2024, at 71403 mileages. The current mileage on my Jeep is 68599. My concern is no…

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I have notice for some time now that I have been getting oil changes done before my scheduled time. For example, I got my oil changed August 25, 2023, at 66403 mileages. According to the return for service sticker next service date is February 25, 2024, at 71403 mileages. The current mileage on my Jeep is 68599. My concern is not only I require frequent oil changes, but my check engine light is on, and my vehicle stops on me in on-going traffic. I take my Jeep into Griffin's Hub Chrysler Jeep Dodge S 27th Street Milwaukee. On August 25th I informed the 1st technician that my check engine light came on along with low oil/change oil light. He completed a code reader/car diagnostic. After the oil change, I spoke with service advisor Eric P who spoke with the previous tech regarding the diagnostic. I was scheduled to come back in on 9/7 due to a recall issue with check engine light and low oil pressure but when I returned on 9/7 the check engine light was off therefore showing nothing was wrong. I'm concerned because I'm having oil changes before scheduled mileage & service time. This has happened numerous times. I'm concerned because of the check engine/low oil/check oil lights are all coming on and more importantly I'm concerned because my vehicle stops in on-going traffic at any giving time which is extremely dangerous. I decided to reach out to the NHTSA during the recent incident for more assistance with this matter. I am thankful for not being on the expressway.

NHTSA ODI #11555923

42,000 miles · Nov 16, 2023
Structure

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in a heavy rainstorm, the front driver's side floor and rear passenger’s side floor became flooded with rainwater, that had entered the vehicle from a failed floor seal. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brak…

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The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in a heavy rainstorm, the front driver's side floor and rear passenger’s side floor became flooded with rainwater, that had entered the vehicle from a failed floor seal. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, her foot had slipped off the pedal several times due to the water inside the vehicle on the floor. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the floor seal had corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #11555481

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

Car struggles to start, Dashboard shows coolant temperature high then does not start. Usually it will start again once battery is jumped. It has happened 3 times since August 2023. Unsafe because it happens unpredictability and has left me stranded with a child in the car. It cannot be reproduced because it cannot be predicted. …

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Car struggles to start, Dashboard shows coolant temperature high then does not start. Usually it will start again once battery is jumped. It has happened 3 times since August 2023. Unsafe because it happens unpredictability and has left me stranded with a child in the car. It cannot be reproduced because it cannot be predicted. It has happened in different weather each time and at different times of the day.

NHTSA ODI #11555378

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2023
Unknown Or Other

On 11/11/23 we were traveling the highway, center lane at approximately 65mph. The jeep just shut off and completely stopped. No warnings, no lights on. Car has gas, 1/2 tank, temp fine. It did start right back up but this was EXTREMELY dangerous as cars and semis traveling 70mph were swerving around both sides of us.

NHTSA ODI #11554823

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

My car stalled as I was about to turn after stopped at a red light. I tried to restart it several times and then I looked down and noticed the emergency brake light was on. I turned it off, tried starting it again and then it seemed fine. Later as I was mid turn going left through an intersection the car partially stalled wher…

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My car stalled as I was about to turn after stopped at a red light. I tried to restart it several times and then I looked down and noticed the emergency brake light was on. I turned it off, tried starting it again and then it seemed fine. Later as I was mid turn going left through an intersection the car partially stalled where I could not finish my acceleration through the intersection ( it was still on but I could not accelerate however I was able to get it to sort of drift to the side of the road where it then stalled completely). Thankfully there were no vehicles headed through the intersection as I was trying to get out of the way. When I looked down the emergency brake light was on again. I did not receive any warning lights prior to this happening. I currently have it in the shop to have the issue looked at but I have had numerous issues with this vehicle since I bought it. Previous issues were not as scary as this one.

NHTSA ODI #11553167

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.