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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

What owners actually said

941 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2025
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Vehicle does not start or starts and will not go into gear. Dash lights go crazy and various issues display on screen

NHTSA ODI #11674914

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2025
Air BagsSeats

Got an error message that the passenger seat air bag needs service.

NHTSA ODI #11674203

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 19, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

The vehicle backup camera has never worked reliably since we purchased the vehicle. It will work intermittently but lately for the last several weeks, the backup camera does not come on at all, ever. The dealership is saying we'd have to bring it in for a several hundred dollar assessment on how much it might cost to fix it and …

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The vehicle backup camera has never worked reliably since we purchased the vehicle. It will work intermittently but lately for the last several weeks, the backup camera does not come on at all, ever. The dealership is saying we'd have to bring it in for a several hundred dollar assessment on how much it might cost to fix it and doing research online it could be hundreds into well over $1,000. We could install an aftermarket camera significantly cheaper, but since the vehicle has one in its system, it should freaking work!

NHTSA ODI #11667953

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2025
Exterior Lighting

My driver's side headlights stops working intermittently. This occurs quite randomly. I have replaced the bulbs, the switch, and after taking it to a dealer, I ended up replacing the driver's side headlight assembly. Nothing has worked, and now I am hundreds of dollars poorer for my trouble. This is clearly a safety issue, and …

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My driver's side headlights stops working intermittently. This occurs quite randomly. I have replaced the bulbs, the switch, and after taking it to a dealer, I ended up replacing the driver's side headlight assembly. Nothing has worked, and now I am hundreds of dollars poorer for my trouble. This is clearly a safety issue, and judging from what I have seen in online forums, there are a great many others with the same problem. This is a safety issue that falls squarely on the manufacturer to remedy, and to compensate its customers for our losses.

NHTSA ODI #11666975

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 · Jun 10, 2025
Engine

Vehicle stopped running twice at different times in crossing traffic due to what I found out later was low oil even though i had just purchased the vehicle and had only driven 2-4 thousand miles. Since then I am still burning over a quart every 1000 miles even though the dealer supposedly did the software update that some clai…

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Vehicle stopped running twice at different times in crossing traffic due to what I found out later was low oil even though i had just purchased the vehicle and had only driven 2-4 thousand miles. Since then I am still burning over a quart every 1000 miles even though the dealer supposedly did the software update that some claim fixes the problem

NHTSA ODI #11666197

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2025
Suspension

Vehicle started rattling going over bumps.

NHTSA ODI #11665665

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2025
Power TrainSuspension

Car started shifting hard during deceleration giving a jolt forward. Check engine light came on for power train control module. Also started hearing a rattle and had to replace control arms.

NHTSA ODI #11665664

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2025
Unknown Or Other

When my oil gets low, my car shuts off in the middle of the highway. Also, when I turn my wheels, it's making a very loud clicking noise.

NHTSA ODI #11665564

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.