2018 Jeep Compass
The Verdict
The 2018 Jeep Compass has 936 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (498 complaints) and electrical (200 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Jeep Compass, consider the 2025 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 97% fewer complaints
View the 2025 Jeep Compass dashboard →
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 re...
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-...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 ...
Reported Jan 5, 2018
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
Complaints
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 that the vehicle was associated with Customer Satisfaction Notification W20 concerning excessive oil consumption and potential engine stalling, as well as XB1, the 2.4L excessive-oil-consumption warranty extension. Jeep stated that XB1 expired on September 20, 2025. I am concerned that abnormal oil consumption or a related engine defect may have caused progressive internal engine damage and created a stalling or loss-of-power safety risk. I request that NHTSA document and investigate this failure. Jeep customer-care reference number: 97940025.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment center display intermittently was distorted, flashed on and off, and independently initiated calls; the contact stated that the failure occurred every time the temperature was warm and/or hot outside and inside of the vehicle and that when the air conditioner was on and/or it was cold outside the vehicle returned to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the infotainment screen display was delaminated and that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message that the vehicle would shut off was displayed several times, requiring the driver to pull over. Additionally, while the contact's husband was driving, the vehicle stalled. The driver pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V524000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Subject: Vehicle Lost Power While Driving – Potential Battery/Electrical Safety Issue On August 15, 2026, my vehicle suddenly began malfunctioning and lost power while I was driving my daughter to a medical appointment. I was on/near Highway 20 and had to maneuver the vehicle into a parking lot to avoid being struck. My daughter and I were extremely fortunate not to be injured. The vehicle was subsequently towed to Mall of Georgia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for evaluation. The dealership stated that both the main and auxiliary batteries need to be replaced and indicated that the main battery purchased from AutoZone may be faulty. The main battery was purchased from AutoZone on June 20, 2026. After an earlier vehicle failure, AutoZone tested the battery on July 24, 2026, and reported it as 100% charged/good. AutoZone Corporate has since stated that its testing equipment is functioning properly, while the dealership maintains that the battery is faulty. I am concerned that there may be an underlying battery, electrical, charging, or vehicle-system safety issue that caused the vehicle to lose power while being driven. I am requesting that NHTSA document this incident and determine whether it may represent a safety defect or a broader vehicle safety concern. I can provide the battery purchase receipt, AutoZone test results, dealership service records, towing records, and other documentation upon request.
I have had this car for a little over a year and it has given me nothing but problems they won’t let me out of my contract. It’s a 2018 Jeep compass and I’ve already had to replace the thermostat. My service transmission light is coming on all of a sudden, I’m having to put the oil in all the time it has completely shut down on the highway. Just stopped moving turned off on is own! So dangerous and I
My odometer flashes since buying. Bluetooth connection causing screen to glitch and jump between settings. Screen turns blue and back up camera doesn’t work randomly. Overheating issue came out of nowhere. No check engine lights. The jerking is a hazard while driving. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by multiple shops. All these issues have been hazardous to me and my family.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was a loud booming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact parked and inspected the vehicle and discovered that the liftgate glass window had exploded, causing shards of glass to fall onto the rear seat of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 80,400.
For at least two months the driver's seat belt buckle intermittently unlatches or won't stay latched in my 2018 Jeep Compass. Because it's a critical safety component, I hope that Jeep may offer a goodwill repair or replacement, especially because the failure is due to a defective buckle.
The Stop/Start function malfunctions frequently. On multiple ocassions, the computer system glitches causing the automatic parking brake to engage, the gear shift to lock, and the vehicle to become stuck. This has happened several times while the car was idling at a stop light, causing traffic safety issues each time. There is no warning light or system notification. Regular mechanics are not able to diagnose or fix these issues because of the computer system, requiring a specialist that is not always accessible. There is no notification when the auxillary battery is dead or dying, the car just won't turn on.
The vehicle has stalled in traffic multiple times, it sends emergency messages while operating that the vehicle must pull off of the road or shut down, it is constantly displaying "service stop/ start system" messages and service lights, it sometimes doesn't start after having gotten to a location but will start up without having the vehicle jump started later, it drains the batteries quickly, as well. I was on the highway with my son in the vehicle, not near any exit and in thick traffic, when it told me to pull off the road or it may shut down. On a separate occasion, I had my family in the car, we stopped for an event and the vehicle randomly didn't restart, stranding us until we could reach another ride. Another time I was driving to work and it the engine shut off and when I tried to go it randomly did not go and I had to shut the vehicle down while in traffic, restart the engine and put it back into drive before I could allow traffic to move again. I took it to an authorized Jeep/ Chrysler Dealership for these issues and no recalls were put out for my vehicle, despite these exact issues being a part of a recall of nearly 13,000 Fiat Chrysler vehicles under NHTSA 18V524000 (Chrysler recall U87).
Engine stalled while driving. Battery is fine as all electrical functions remained operative.
Engin is burning oil
Dash warning came up “stop safely, vehicle will shut off soon” towed it to Jeep dealer took them over a week to get a diagnosis, they said they had to communicate with Detroit office. The issue is “probably” an alternator
My 2018 Jeep Compass, with approximately 107,000 miles, has developed symptoms consistent with the oil pump/oil pressure defects reported in other recalled Jeep Compass vehicles. The vehicle frequently struggles to start, runs rough with noticeable vibration, and has displayed an oil pressure warning light. In addition, the vehicle frequently stalls or suddenly loses power/slows while driving. The stalling and loss of power have created a serious safety concern because they can occur while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash, especially in traffic or at highway speeds. These symptoms have become recurrent and appear to be worsening over time. The vehicle was evaluated by a Jeep dealership. The dealer scanned the vehicle but did not provide a repair for the underlying issue and instead advised us to continue adding coolant as needed. Despite this, the vehicle continues to exhibit the same dangerous symptoms, including the oil pressure warning light and stalling while driving. I am aware that certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles were recalled for oil pump-related defects; however, my vehicle was not included in the recall population. Because my vehicle is experiencing similar symptoms, I believe additional 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles outside the current VIN range may be affected. I am submitting this complaint so that NHTSA can investigate whether the scope of the recall should be expanded. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
As I was driving my vehicle, it stalled on me and my parking brake engaged. I had to put my vehicle in park, open my door to dis-engage the brake to restart. it has happened twice now, once on Saturday May 30th and June 2nd 2026.
Pulled up in my drive way turned car off and when I went to start ut to go to work it just would not start anymore
Engine light came on, breaking light, abs
The headlights and interior lighting flickers when turned on. The vehicle often will not start, but once hooked up to a jumper pack starts immediately despite the batteries being inspected previously and being okay. The start/stop function doesn't always work, and the engine stalls while driving, causing a massive safety issue.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the rear backup camera screen had malfunctioned and was unreadable with lines and a whited out image displayed. The was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 35,000.
On around 5 occasions beginning since late 2025 I have been driving and my emergency brake has turned on automatically while driving. Yesterday, while at a stop light the light turned green and my emergency brake turned on which caused traffic to be halted I had to turn my car on and off repeatedly to have my car work. When I turned right at the intersection this happened again. I was able to slowly pull over and once again turn my car off and on. Then it did it again today at the same intersection I was able to slowly pull over and turn my car off and on. I went to the Jeep dealership today and they could not find anything wrong. No codes indicated anything they said I had a small oil leak but that is all they could find.
936 total