2018 Jeep Compass problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 659 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Compass, most often about engine. There are 6 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 659
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 17
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 10
- Median mileage
- 32,500 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 318 of 659 complaints (48%).
- Electrical System (305) and transmission & drivetrain (98) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 32,500 mi.
- Owners reported 17 crashes, 3 fires and 10 injuries.
- The 2018 Jeep Compass has 6 recalls on file.
- It has the most serious complaint record of all 20 Jeep Compass model years we track.
- That is 395% more complaints than the 2017 model year (133).
2018 Jeep Compass problems by category
- Engine · 4 crashes318 complaints
- Electrical System · 3 crashes305 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash150 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 5 crashes98 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash61 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 1 crash45 complaints
- Brakes · 1 crash39 complaints
- 35 complaints
- Suspension · 3 crashes25 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 2 crashes23 complaints
- Steering · 1 crash17 complaints
- Airbags · 4 crashes16 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts10 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers · 1 crash8 complaints
- Body & Structure6 complaints
- Wheels & Tires2 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 311 |
| Electrical system | 298 |
| Unknown or other | 145 |
| Power train | 97 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 44 |
| Service brakes | 37 |
| Exterior lighting | 34 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 29 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2018 Jeep Compass recalls (6)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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.
Risk: 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.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
Risk: 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.
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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.
Risk: 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.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: 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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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."
Risk: 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.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Jeep Compass SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| 2018 Jeep Compass SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Recent 2018 Jeep Compass complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 29, 2026RIOther / Unknown
Uconnect screen/ no available back up camera has ceased to work due to condition of screen faulty thermal glue visable navigation unusable phone calls made by the system with no human interaction repeatedly operatior distraction is occuring due to these issues screen delamination screen is black or displays color block lines back up camera is not able to be used calls are made by the system on its own repeatedly changes heating climate control on its own while operating…
NHTSA complaint #11767900 · source - Filed Sep 24, 2026OHElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
Aux battery failed; start/stop, stopped at a red light car shut off in start/stop mode, when I went to drive my car went into limp mode and emergency break engaged and every single light on my dash came on. I had to turn car off in the intersection. Once I turned the car back on every light came back on and when I shifted it into drive the transmission slammed so hard it jerked the entire car. This has issue started around 60,000 miles. I have 131,000miles now. Being broke…
NHTSA complaint #11766578 · source - Filed Sep 15, 2026TXEngine
I have a 2018 Jeep Compass that is experiencing an intermittent engine stall while I am driving. The engine cuts off, particularly when I am sitting in traffic or maintaining the same speed for an extended period of time. There is currently no check-engine light illuminated. This is a serious safety concern because the vehicle is losing power while being operated on the road. I do not consider this a normal drivability issue, and I need the vehicle properly diagnosed for an…
NHTSA complaint #11764325 · source - Filed Sep 15, 2026TXEngine
I have a 2018 Jeep Compass that is experiencing an intermittent engine stall while I am driving. The engine cuts off, particularly when I am sitting in traffic or maintaining the same speed for an extended period of time. There is currently no check-engine light illuminated. This is a serious safety concern because the vehicle is losing power while being operated on the road. I do not consider this a normal drivability issue, and I need the vehicle properly diagnosed for an…
NHTSA complaint #11764324 · source - Filed Sep 15, 2026TXEngine
I have a 2018 Jeep Compass that is experiencing an intermittent engine stall while I am driving. The engine cuts off, particularly when I am sitting in traffic or maintaining the same speed for an extended period of time. There is currently no check-engine light illuminated. This is a serious safety concern because the vehicle is losing power while being operated on the road. I do not consider this a normal drivability issue, and I need the vehicle properly diagnosed for an…
NHTSA complaint #11764323 · source - Filed Sep 14, 202679,000 miCADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera was inoperable, and the audible alert failed to sound while reversing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was concerned that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
NHTSA complaint #11764204 · source - Filed Sep 6, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
Vehicle 2018 Jeep compass, 2.4 l tiger shark multi-air space safety defect summary, my vehicle is experiencing a severe recurring safety hazard causing unexpected vehicle stall and loss of power while driving at high speeds on the highway while operating normally the vehicle abruptly jerks and immediately forces itself into neutral or defensive lip mode leaving me unable to accelerate and placing me in immediate danger of a high-speed collision concurrently the dashboard…
NHTSA complaint #11762479 · source - Filed Aug 28, 202668,440 miLAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
On August 25, 2026, my 2018 Jeep Compass equipped with the 2.4L engine became inoperable approximately five months after I purchased it. The vehicle had approximately 68,000 miles. An independent repair shop initially found no fuel pressure and replaced the fuel pump and spark plugs. The vehicle remained mechanically compromised, and testing showed only 99 PSI compression in cylinder 3. The shop recommended engine replacement at an estimated cost of $9,221.49. Jeep confirmed…
NHTSA complaint #11760368 · source
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Other 2018 Jeep models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology