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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.

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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.

28 crash reports5 fire reports14 injury reports

Forward Collision Avoidance complaints

38 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2025
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

My 2018 Jeep Compass has an oil pump issue it seems. I read about previous scenarios and forums that had issues with this vehicle like mine. I would drive the vehicle and not within 5 minutes it will turn off half way down the road in the middle of an intersection that could have caused the lives of others and my child and mysel…

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My 2018 Jeep Compass has an oil pump issue it seems. I read about previous scenarios and forums that had issues with this vehicle like mine. I would drive the vehicle and not within 5 minutes it will turn off half way down the road in the middle of an intersection that could have caused the lives of others and my child and myself. This vehicle is not safe at all! I have contacted and informed the dealership on multiple times about this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11645937

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidancePower Train

I was at a red light and when the light turned and I put on the gas my car stalled. I could not shut off the car, it has a push button engine. The motor was off but on the dashboard it said the car was on and all of the electrical systems were still running (heat, radio, lights, etc). When I pushed the engine button, the car…

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I was at a red light and when the light turned and I put on the gas my car stalled. I could not shut off the car, it has a push button engine. The motor was off but on the dashboard it said the car was on and all of the electrical systems were still running (heat, radio, lights, etc). When I pushed the engine button, the car would not turn off. The parking break turned on by itself. I could not push my car to the side of the road. I was in the middle of traffic. I had to call for the police and for a tow truck. We still could not get the car to turn off (the motor was not on but the car's electrical system was still on). We could not disengage the parking break. Finally the tow truck operator slammed the break pedal down and he was able to turn off the car. The car then started. We still towed it to the Jeep Dealership. The could not find anything wrong with the car. Approximately two weeks earlier, the same thing happened at a red light but at that time, after I waited for 10minutes I was able to get the car to turn off then on. My car has two new batteries (put in one year ago), new front breaks, new tires. The day this happened, I had actually just left Jeep from getting my oil changed. they said it was not related to that.

NHTSA ODI #11636649

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision Avoidance

Systematic electronic issues culminating in electronic failures while driving on highway including successive “shut-down” of electrical systems, all codes displayed including but not limited to the following: -Forward Collision -Services Transmission -Service Engine -Service Alternator -Service EMS System Disruption to electric…

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Systematic electronic issues culminating in electronic failures while driving on highway including successive “shut-down” of electrical systems, all codes displayed including but not limited to the following: -Forward Collision -Services Transmission -Service Engine -Service Alternator -Service EMS System Disruption to electrical functions including loss of power steering, acceleration, and brake system “locking” up. Tow service and repairs, required.

NHTSA ODI #11628114

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

While driving with my wife and 3 kids the car automatically braked by itself. Lucky to be able to report this. The NTHSA doesn’t have any current recalls on my VIN. It should now this model vehicle could be causing future accidents or deaths. Hope this gets some attention asap.

NHTSA ODI #11624361

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

When driving a warning sign came on saying stop safely your vehicle will shut off soon. When driving another time the vehicle shut off completely while driving and then came back on.

NHTSA ODI #11619464

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision Avoidance

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -the emergency brake will automatically turn on when my car stops due to the automatic stop start. Then it will not start again and it won’t let me turn the brake off. I have been stuck in the middle of traffic before because of th…

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What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -the emergency brake will automatically turn on when my car stops due to the automatic stop start. Then it will not start again and it won’t let me turn the brake off. I have been stuck in the middle of traffic before because of this. Also, the automatic stop start has killed both of my batteries multiple times. In the last 2 years I have had this car, I have replaced my batteries 2 times and have had to go get them fully recharged multiple times because they just completely drain and die How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -I was unable to move my vehicle from the middle of the road while I was trying to get it to turn back on, this had happened several times Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -no Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -no there was not any warnings, there is usually a check engine light after the fact but not before, and it disappears after driving it once or twice after that happens

NHTSA ODI #11601154

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision Avoidance

Multiple times now while driving the vehicles emergency park comes on by its self. The vehicle stops and turns off while in the middle of the road. Other vehicles have had to quickly stop and go around. Recently the engine light has appeared. It happens 1-3 times while driving. Mainly while turning a corner.

NHTSA ODI #11573651

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2024
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11564683

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

My 2018 Jeep Compass engine started locking up randomly in 2019. It would take about 15 minutes for the car to reset and start again. I started to notice it would happen more often in hot temperatures. The Jeep Dealer said they could not help unless they could recreate the problem, but it never happened at the dealership. This s…

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My 2018 Jeep Compass engine started locking up randomly in 2019. It would take about 15 minutes for the car to reset and start again. I started to notice it would happen more often in hot temperatures. The Jeep Dealer said they could not help unless they could recreate the problem, but it never happened at the dealership. This summer it started to happen more as the temperature went up more. I was stuck in traffic three times this year, 2 times last year. I have been approached by cops several times due to this problem. I was able to get it fixed this summer because it got stuck long enough for a mechanic to see the issue. Putting in a new starter fixed the problem. The Auto Start/Stop Feature seems to be wearing out the starter faster. I deactivate the auto start/stop feature whenever I drive to keep from wearing down the starter. This is similar issue to the following report NHTSA Report IDs: 11540220, 11540593, 11540475, 11539629, 11536381

NHTSA ODI #11542578

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

ABS anti lock break system The first time it happened, I was slowing down at a stop light, and then starting back up the car stalled and would not move It had to be turned off and on in the middle of an intersection A car from behind had to skid and almost crashed into me Another time I was turning onto a major. road and i…

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ABS anti lock break system The first time it happened, I was slowing down at a stop light, and then starting back up the car stalled and would not move It had to be turned off and on in the middle of an intersection A car from behind had to skid and almost crashed into me Another time I was turning onto a major. road and it suddenly stalled once again almost got rear ended This happened a series of times, and was taken into a local mechanic each time, in which case they said it was the wheel sensors and replaced each one Both independent and Jeep dealership reproduced and confirmed the issue No warning lights prior to the first issue. Every time the car was taken into mechanic the warning lights were cleared for @ 30 days Each time the warning lights came on the car would simultaneously stall again

NHTSA ODI #11540475

Official recalls

6

18V523000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.