Illustration1. INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING CANNOT BE DIMMED: BLINDS DRIVER DURING NIGHT DRIVING. 2. THE SPEEDOMETER SCALE DOES NOT CHANGE FROM MPH TO KPH. THIS BECOMES VERY PROBLEMATIC WHEN CROSSING FROM THE US TO CANADA!
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Compass years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTHE DIMMER SWITCH FOR DASHBOARD AND SCREEN LIGHTS DO NOT DIM. AT NIGHT THE LIGHT IS SO BRIGHT THAT IT CREATES A GLARE.
JEEP WILL NOT ALLOW DIMMING OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OR NAV SCREEN AT NIGHT DUE TO A LIGHT SENSOR IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING VIDEO HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=6AJAAEMP7W8&LIST=PLXMX4ZWLIO2WJZSQ8SYUPAESC_R8G-QTO
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIMMER SWITCH IS INOPERABLE. THE SPEEDOMETER, AND ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER, IS STUCK ON FULL BRIGHTNESS DURING NIGHTTIME DRIVING AND IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IS BLINDINGLY BRIGHT IN MY FACE.
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSOR CONTROLLING THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE CONSOLE AND NAVIGATION SCREEN. AT NIGHT, THE BRIGHTNESS GETS SET TO THE HIGHEST SETTING, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY BLINDING, AND THE DIMMER SWITCH DOES DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS CAUSING HARM TO MY EYES.
THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND KEEPS ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS (EXCEPT DOME LIGHTS) IN FULL BRIGHTNESS ALL THE TIME WHICH MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT NIGHT.
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILS TO DIM PROPERLY AT NIGHT CAUSING DIFFICULTY SEEING AT NIGHT DUE TO THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE DISPLAY. I AM ABLE TO GET THE DISPLAY TO BE TRICKED INTO GOING INTO "NIGHT MODE" IF THE DISPLAY LIGHT SENSOR HAS NO LIGHT AT VEHICLE STARTUP WITH HEADLIGHTS ON. AT ANY TIME IF THE SENSOR IS EXPOSED TO LIGHT AG…
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INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILS TO DIM PROPERLY AT NIGHT CAUSING DIFFICULTY SEEING AT NIGHT DUE TO THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE DISPLAY. I AM ABLE TO GET THE DISPLAY TO BE TRICKED INTO GOING INTO "NIGHT MODE" IF THE DISPLAY LIGHT SENSOR HAS NO LIGHT AT VEHICLE STARTUP WITH HEADLIGHTS ON. AT ANY TIME IF THE SENSOR IS EXPOSED TO LIGHT AGAIN SUCH AS IF A DOOR IS OPENED OR INTERIOR LIGHT IS TURNED ON THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE STOPPED, DOORS LOCKED, AND SITTING FOR ONE MINUTE FOR THE WORKAROUND TO BE SUCCESSFUL AGAIN.
THE INTERIOR INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONSOLE LIGHTING WILL NOT DIM AT NIGHT. THIS LEADS TO A BLINDING SITUATION. THE DIMMER SWITCH FUNCTIONS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY BUT THE IP LIGHTS WILL GO FULL BRIGHT AFTER A SHORT WHILE AFTER A VEHICLE RESTART. THIS OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE CAR IS MOVING OR PARKED. HEADLIGHTS ARE SWITCHED ON. THE L…
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THE INTERIOR INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONSOLE LIGHTING WILL NOT DIM AT NIGHT. THIS LEADS TO A BLINDING SITUATION. THE DIMMER SWITCH FUNCTIONS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY BUT THE IP LIGHTS WILL GO FULL BRIGHT AFTER A SHORT WHILE AFTER A VEHICLE RESTART. THIS OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE CAR IS MOVING OR PARKED. HEADLIGHTS ARE SWITCHED ON. THE LIGHTS BEHAVE THIS WAY DAY OR NIGHT. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM AFTER TAKING DELIVERY ON 9-27-2017
IN VIOLATION OF FMVSS SECTION S 5.3.2.2 (B) THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DIMMED. THEY REMAIN AT BRIGHTEST LEVEL REGARDLESS OF ANY PARKING OR HEADLIGHT SETTINGS, AND CANNOT BE DIMMED OR TURNED OFF. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION DURING NIGHT TIME VEHICLE OPERATION. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN AB…
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IN VIOLATION OF FMVSS SECTION S 5.3.2.2 (B) THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DIMMED. THEY REMAIN AT BRIGHTEST LEVEL REGARDLESS OF ANY PARKING OR HEADLIGHT SETTINGS, AND CANNOT BE DIMMED OR TURNED OFF. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION DURING NIGHT TIME VEHICLE OPERATION. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THIS EVEN AFTER TWO VISITS, AND HAS MADE NO PROGRESS IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASED ONE MONTH AGO.
THE VEHICLE'S DASH BOARD LIGHTING DIMMING FUNCTION IS NOT WORKING AND IMPAIRING THE DRIVERS NIGHT VISION ALWAYS BEING AT THE HIGHEST SETTING. REPORTING THIS ISSUE AS THIS IS NOT ONLY AFFECTING A SINGLE VEHICLE, BUT MULTIPLES. THE JEEP HEADQUARTERS WERE CONTACTED BY MULTIPLE EFFECTED OWNER AS EVIDENT IN THE REFERENCE FORUM PO…
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THE VEHICLE'S DASH BOARD LIGHTING DIMMING FUNCTION IS NOT WORKING AND IMPAIRING THE DRIVERS NIGHT VISION ALWAYS BEING AT THE HIGHEST SETTING. REPORTING THIS ISSUE AS THIS IS NOT ONLY AFFECTING A SINGLE VEHICLE, BUT MULTIPLES. THE JEEP HEADQUARTERS WERE CONTACTED BY MULTIPLE EFFECTED OWNER AS EVIDENT IN THE REFERENCE FORUM POST, BUT JEEP DOES CURRENTLY NOT TAKE ACTION. REFERENCE POSTS: HTTP://WWW.MYJEEPCOMPASS.COM/FORUMS/2ND-GEN-JEEP-COMPASS-FORUM-GENERAL-DISCUSSION/35673-DASH-LIGHTS-DO-NOT-DIM.HTML HTTP://WWW.MYJEEPCOMPASS.COM/FORUMS/2ND-GEN-JEEP-COMPASS-FORUM-GENERAL-DISCUSSION/34985-DASH-SCREEN-NOT-DIMMING.HTML
Official recalls
618V523000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.