Sway bar links are unsafe. Electrical system makfunctions after idling vehicle and at other random times, causing vehicle warning lights to illuminate abd vehicle won't function properly. Vehicle loses oil, 2,000 miles after each oil change a quart or more must be added then the same after each 1,000 miles after.
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
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.
Electrical System complaints
375 reportsCar randomly shuts off while driving regardless of speed
I leased a 2018 jeep compass in the month of September that year brand new. light kept appearing on my dash that I was not familiar with. Basically it had to do with parking on a hill indicator, the radio wouldn’t always work either, and a loud boom on Highway. However we parked the car on flat grounds at all times. That was the…
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I leased a 2018 jeep compass in the month of September that year brand new. light kept appearing on my dash that I was not familiar with. Basically it had to do with parking on a hill indicator, the radio wouldn’t always work either, and a loud boom on Highway. However we parked the car on flat grounds at all times. That was the beginning of the malfunctioning with this vehicle. I had just got an oil change end of 2019, one day driving in an alley area with my 2year old daughter, my car literally shut off on me while driving at speeds of 10 mph. Everything shut off. Fortunately I was able to turn it back on and the next day took it to the dealership. The result was I needed a brand new engine. WHAT, it’s a little over a year old how can this be? The oil was gone all cylinders were shot, not sure what that meant but a month without my car I received it back with a new refurbished engine. Fortunately all was covered under the manufacturer warranty. Thought the problems were solved. Nope it constantly has malfunctions with the radio, reverse camera doesn’t always work, a loud bang happens when I’m on the highway at the highway speed, let my foot off the accelerator and a loud bang happens. On [XXX], in the middle of an intersection my foot was on the brake and the on/off engine thing went off. Then I proceeded to accelerate and the car shut off. This time all the lights were on inside the dash area but my brake locked up so hard and the steering wheel along with the windows wouldn’t work. I placed the car in park and the e brake and for 15 minutes tried turning it back on. It was terrifying, it turned on and brought it to the dealership and explained the situation. It’s currently there now and at the moment they say it’s the battery. I DO NOT feel safe in this car being that I always have my children in the car all the time. An investigation needs to be seriously opened with these vehicles. I’ve been paying for a car that has potentially risked my families life. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM
I have spent over 2500.00 on my HID headlights. They keep blowing I have replaced the headlight assembly along with bulbs many times. From what I can read it is an ongoing problem with this model. Also my lane departure system goes from side to side does not keep my jeep centered in the lane.
DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, THE ENGINE DIES. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND I COAST TO A STOP. VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, JEEP WILL START AND DRIVE AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF TIME AND SAME THING WILL HAPPEN. I TOOK TO A LOCAL GARAGE BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SHOP MANAGER SAID THERE IS NO ENGINE CODE OR DIRECTION FOR THEM…
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DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, THE ENGINE DIES. STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND I COAST TO A STOP. VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, JEEP WILL START AND DRIVE AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF TIME AND SAME THING WILL HAPPEN. I TOOK TO A LOCAL GARAGE BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE SHOP MANAGER SAID THERE IS NO ENGINE CODE OR DIRECTION FOR THEM TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH 2017-2019 JEEP COMPASS. HOWEVER APPARENTLY NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE KNOW THEY CAN FILE A REPORT WITH NHTSA OR THERE WOULD BE A GIGANTIC NUMBER MORE COMPLAINTS THAN THERE ARE. SOMEONE WILL DIE IN A CRASH BECAUSE OF THIS WELL KNOWN ISSUE. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING WILL BE DONE BEFORE ITS TOO LATE. BATTERIES REPLACED, CAR SERVICED, AND STILL CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. HAS HAPPENED AROUND 5 TIMES IN LAST 2 WEEKS. AN ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND CLEARLY A FAULT IN MANUFACTURING.
I was getting my car serviced, I was getting a State inspection the mechanic told me they could not inspect the vehicle due to the fact that a headlight was not working.. they tried replacing the headlight it still did not work.. I had to leave without getting my vehicle inspected!! I was going to try to take it to the dealer to…
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I was getting my car serviced, I was getting a State inspection the mechanic told me they could not inspect the vehicle due to the fact that a headlight was not working.. they tried replacing the headlight it still did not work.. I had to leave without getting my vehicle inspected!! I was going to try to take it to the dealer to try and get it fixed.. I checked on line and found several other Jeep owners of this make and model also 2018 Jeep Compass had electrical problems involving the headlights.. at times I would turn vehicle on and both lights would be on. On other times only one headlight would be working. Some times if I would cycle thru the switch both lights would come on, other times not.. This is unsafe driving around with one headlight and not knowing when it will happen.I have spoken to both dealerships in the area, and they are no help.. they want me to bring vehicle in to troubleshoot the problem openended I do not have the money for this and Since it is happening to other people with this particular year and make vehicle I think it is a problem that should be looked into..by Jeep! This just started on my vehicle when the mileage reached approximately 32,000 miles I have owned this vehicle since 2019. Thanks for any help available..
Jeep Compass shut off without warning at highway speeds, in the middle of highway route 1 while I was going 50 miles per hour. State police had to stay while I got car towed out of road hazards way. When this has happened, the vehicle was no longer able to accelerate, and the power steering did not work. Loss of power steering m…
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Jeep Compass shut off without warning at highway speeds, in the middle of highway route 1 while I was going 50 miles per hour. State police had to stay while I got car towed out of road hazards way. When this has happened, the vehicle was no longer able to accelerate, and the power steering did not work. Loss of power steering made the vehicle difficult to steer off the roadway to safety.
In middle of driving, the vehicle suddenly shifts out of gear and won’t accelerate, multiple warning lights appear in dash all at the same time and car at times the vehicle won’t even turn off
Head lights not working.
When the vehicle halts at a red light or stop sign, it activates the auto stop/start feature, causing the engine to shut off. However, when I release the brake to accelerate, the car might briefly restart and then stalls. This has happened several times.
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.
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