Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
2880–25K
13625–50K
3150–75K
1275–100K
6100–150K
5150K+
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
8,300 miles · Jun 7, 2018
Steering
STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE A BOLT AND WASHER FELL ONTO THE FLOOR LANDING RIGHT NEXT TO MY FOOT. TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS A STEERING COLUMN BOLT THAT HAD FELL OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REINSTALLED THE BOLTS AND HAD TO RE-TORQUE T…
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STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE A BOLT AND WASHER FELL ONTO THE FLOOR LANDING RIGHT NEXT TO MY FOOT. TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS A STEERING COLUMN BOLT THAT HAD FELL OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REINSTALLED THE BOLTS AND HAD TO RE-TORQUE THE REST OF THE STEERING COLUMN BOLTS.
NHTSA ODI #11100326
2,900 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Engine
THE ENGINE BEGINS SMOKING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION COOLERS. METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, WITH A POOR EXPLANATION AS TO THEIR SOURCE OR THE CAUSE. TECHNICIANS WERE ONLY ABLE TO EXPLAIN THAT THE METAL OF THE COOLER ITSELF WAS DETERIORATING. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11099521
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2018
Electrical System
LIGHTS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE NOT ABLE TO BE DIMMED.
NHTSA ODI #11091529
1,641 miles · Apr 30, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD AND THE MESSAGE "SERVICE HILL ASSIST" CAME ON THE SCREEN. I KEPT DRIVING AND THE MESSAGES "SERVICE ESC" AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" CAME ON THE SCREEN. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THE SCREEN FOR THE RADIO KEPT FLASHING ON AND OFF, AND I COULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF WITH THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION. TH…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD AND THE MESSAGE "SERVICE HILL ASSIST" CAME ON THE SCREEN. I KEPT DRIVING AND THE MESSAGES "SERVICE ESC" AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" CAME ON THE SCREEN. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THE SCREEN FOR THE RADIO KEPT FLASHING ON AND OFF, AND I COULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE OFF WITH THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AS I WAS TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON, AND I EVENTUALLY GOT THE VEHICLE HOME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY BY JEEP.
NHTSA ODI #11090952
6,000 miles · Apr 3, 2018
Engine
ON FRIDAY MARCH 30 2018, VEHICLE HAD 6000 MILES AND WOULD NOT START. EXTREME AMOUNT OF STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. INTERNAL ENGINE ISSUE (NOT CLEARLY IDENTIFIED) CAUSED THE ENGINE TO INTERNALLY EXPLODE LEAVING METAL FRAGMENTS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO B…
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ON FRIDAY MARCH 30 2018, VEHICLE HAD 6000 MILES AND WOULD NOT START. EXTREME AMOUNT OF STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. INTERNAL ENGINE ISSUE (NOT CLEARLY IDENTIFIED) CAUSED THE ENGINE TO INTERNALLY EXPLODE LEAVING METAL FRAGMENTS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING A BOLT IN A BAR IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS BEEN ON ORDER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THE UNDERCARRIAGE BAR WAS AN ISSUE KNOWN PREVIOUSLY.
NHTSA ODI #11083135
10,101 miles · Mar 23, 2018
Service Brakes
WHEN COMING TO STOPS AT DIFFERENT TIMES THE PARKING BRAKE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES AND CAR WILL NOT MOVE UNTIL DISENGAGED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT STOP LIGHTS AND OTHER TIMES AS I AM COMING TO A STOP.
NHTSA ODI #11081030
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
ALL 24 WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON 3-4 OCCASIONS . TOWED TO DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE TRIPS. DEALER HAS NOT OFFERED ANOTHER CAR YET. I WAS DRIVING AND THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR STOPPED AND I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED BACK , SO I HAD IT TOWED.
NHTSA ODI #11080202
100 miles · Mar 18, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH CAR DISPLAY, AND DIMMER CAPABILITIES. NAVIGATION SCREEN AND BACKUP CAMERA BLINDINGLY BRIGHT WHEN DARK OUT, CREATING SAFETY HAZARD. HAD INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER SOFTWARE UPDATE RECALL WORK COMPLETED BUT ISSUE NOT RESOLVED WITH RECALL WORK. PROBLEM PERSISTS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #11080029
500 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Parking Brake
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PARKING BRAKE SUDDENLY ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (GOODWIN BROTHERS DODGE/JEEP, 250 BROAD ST, NEW CASTLE, IN 47362), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PARKING BRAKE SUDDENLY ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (GOODWIN BROTHERS DODGE/JEEP, 250 BROAD ST, NEW CASTLE, IN 47362), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.
NHTSA ODI #11079540
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2018
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL ABOUT THE RECALL, THIS WAS BACK IN DECEMBER 2017. I'VE CALLED THE FCA AND THEY REDIRECTED ME TO MY DEALERSHIP, BUT NEITHER HAVE CALLED BACK OR NOTIFIED ME ABOUT SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I CALLED A FEW TIMES AND I'M ALWAYS TOLD THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, HOW…
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TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL ABOUT THE RECALL, THIS WAS BACK IN DECEMBER 2017. I'VE CALLED THE FCA AND THEY REDIRECTED ME TO MY DEALERSHIP, BUT NEITHER HAVE CALLED BACK OR NOTIFIED ME ABOUT SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I CALLED A FEW TIMES AND I'M ALWAYS TOLD THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, HOWEVER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2017. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT FOR ALL THIS TIME AND IT IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND IT IS VERY IRRITATING THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE USING MY CAR KNOWING THERE IS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG. THE DEALERSHIP IS NAPLETON'S NORTHWESTERN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM IN CHICAGO. I AM TOLD THAT IS THE ONLY PLACE I CAN GO TO GET THIS RESOLVED. YET NO CALL BACK!!!!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2018 Jeep Compass Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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