IllustrationI BOUGHT MY JEEP COMPASS 2018 IN APRIL OF 2018. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT I REALIZED THE TOUCH SCREEN AND INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT DIM WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AS IT SAYS THAT IT WILL DO. IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH HOW BRIGHT THE DISPLAYS ARE. *TT *TR
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
Electrical System complaints
375 reportsLIGHTS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE NOT ABLE TO BE DIMMED.
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.
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
WHEN I ADJUST THE FORWARD COLLISION PREFERENCES SETTINGS IT SHOW ME "SELECTED" AND I CAN BACK TO THE MAIN MENU AND COME BACK AGAIN TO THIS OPTION TO CHECK AND CONTINUES SELECTED, BUT WHEN THE ECU SLEEPS (TURN OFF THE VEHICLE) AND I TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON AFTER 30 SECONDS THE FORWARD COLLISION PREFERENCES ARE SHOWED SET IN THE …
Read full complaint
WHEN I ADJUST THE FORWARD COLLISION PREFERENCES SETTINGS IT SHOW ME "SELECTED" AND I CAN BACK TO THE MAIN MENU AND COME BACK AGAIN TO THIS OPTION TO CHECK AND CONTINUES SELECTED, BUT WHEN THE ECU SLEEPS (TURN OFF THE VEHICLE) AND I TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON AFTER 30 SECONDS THE FORWARD COLLISION PREFERENCES ARE SHOWED SET IN THE DEFAULT VALUES, MY CUSTOM VALUES ARE NOT SAVED, SO IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO TRUST THIS SECURITY FUNCTION. ALSO AT THE TIME OF STARTING THE ADVANCE IN THE MORNING, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD BY THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, THE FRONT BRAKES PRODUCE A LOUD NOISE WHEN BRAKING GENTLY, AS WHEN THE ABS IS ACTIVATED DURING A SUDDEN BRAKING, BUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF NORMAL DRIVING AND BRAKING THIS STOP HAPPENING.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS VERY BRIGHT AT NIGHT, AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO SEE THE ROADWAY. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT DIM WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST BRIGHTNESS. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT ADJUST TO COMPENSATE FROM DAYLIGHT TO DARKNESS. REAR VIEW CAMERA IS EXTREMELY BRIGHT AT NIGHT, AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE PROBABLE HAZARD…
Read full complaint
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS VERY BRIGHT AT NIGHT, AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO SEE THE ROADWAY. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT DIM WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST BRIGHTNESS. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT ADJUST TO COMPENSATE FROM DAYLIGHT TO DARKNESS. REAR VIEW CAMERA IS EXTREMELY BRIGHT AT NIGHT, AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE PROBABLE HAZARDS IN ROADWAY. DUE TO THIS BRIGHTNESS, THE EYES TAKE TIME TO READJUST TO THE DARK ENVIRONMENT WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT BACK IN DRIVE. THESE ISSUES OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY 'REMOTE' STARTED IN MY CLOSED GARAGE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.THERE IS NO OPTION, EITHER BY SOFTWARE INTERFACE OR MECHANICAL MEANS TO DISABLE THE 'REMOTE START' FEATURE. I SUSPECT THE KEY FOB WAS INADVERTENTLY PRESSED WHILE IN MY PANTS POCKET. I AM AWARE THAT THE REMOTE START FUNCTION TIMES OUT & THE ENG…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY 'REMOTE' STARTED IN MY CLOSED GARAGE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.THERE IS NO OPTION, EITHER BY SOFTWARE INTERFACE OR MECHANICAL MEANS TO DISABLE THE 'REMOTE START' FEATURE. I SUSPECT THE KEY FOB WAS INADVERTENTLY PRESSED WHILE IN MY PANTS POCKET. I AM AWARE THAT THE REMOTE START FUNCTION TIMES OUT & THE ENGINE STOPS AFTER 15 MIN BUT IN A CLOSED GARAGE THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS COULD BECOME HAZARDOUS. THIS IS A CONVENIENT FEATURE BUT OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO DISABLE IT OR POSSIBLY A THIRD FOB BUTTON PRESS WOULD MAKE IT SAFER.
PROBLEM RELATES TO 2018 JEEP COMPASS LATITUDE. WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE 8.4" UCONNECT SCREEN SHOWS THE BACKUP CAMERA AT FULL BRIGHTNESS. THIS IS BLINDING AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHEN BACKING UP. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THIS. EVEN WHEN THE GAUGES AND SCREEN ARE DIM FROM …
Read full complaint
PROBLEM RELATES TO 2018 JEEP COMPASS LATITUDE. WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE 8.4" UCONNECT SCREEN SHOWS THE BACKUP CAMERA AT FULL BRIGHTNESS. THIS IS BLINDING AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHEN BACKING UP. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THIS. EVEN WHEN THE GAUGES AND SCREEN ARE DIM FROM NORMAL DRIVING, AS SOON AS REVERSE GEAR IS SELECTED, THE SCREEN JUMPS TO FULL BRIGHTNESS.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING CONTROL INCLUDING DIMMER, HEADLIGHT 'ON' SENSOR, DASH AMBIANT LIGHT SENSOR, RELATED SOFTWARE DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. UNABLE TO DIM DASH AT NIGHT WITH DIMMER CONTROL & OR 'AUTO NIGHT DIM' DOES NOT FUNCTION. THE BLINDING BRIGHTNESS OF THE DASH AT NIGHT IS NOT ONLY DISCOMFORTING IT IS HAZARDOUS. TH…
Read full complaint
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING CONTROL INCLUDING DIMMER, HEADLIGHT 'ON' SENSOR, DASH AMBIANT LIGHT SENSOR, RELATED SOFTWARE DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. UNABLE TO DIM DASH AT NIGHT WITH DIMMER CONTROL & OR 'AUTO NIGHT DIM' DOES NOT FUNCTION. THE BLINDING BRIGHTNESS OF THE DASH AT NIGHT IS NOT ONLY DISCOMFORTING IT IS HAZARDOUS. THIS FAULT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON INTERNET FORUMS & YOUTUBE VIDEOS.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND INFOTAINMENT SCREEN DIMMER CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. THE LIGHT FROM THESE SCREENS IS TOO BRIGHT AT NIGHT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE GLARE FROM THE SCREENS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE FORWARD.
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.