VehicleVerdict

2018 Jeep Compass problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,614 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.7 times the median Compass year — the 2018 model ranks #1 of 20 Compass years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 471 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,614

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

46

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Compass years?

Compass NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted1,614 complaints2007: 396 complaints2008: 135 complaints2009: 60 complaints2010: 108 complaints2011: 283 complaints2012: 261 complaints2013: 121 complaints2014: 518 complaints2015: 173 complaints2016: 450 complaints2017: 385 complaints2018: 1,614 complaints2019: 569 complaints2020: 249 complaints2021: 131 complaints2022: 387 complaints2023: 76 complaints2024: 103 complaints2025: 43 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Compass NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Compass years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Jeep Compass problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine47129%
Electrical System39725%
Other19112%
Transmission1519%
Brakes674%
Lighting644%
Fuel System634%
Driver Assistance553%
Speed Control322%
Steering282%
Suspension252%
Airbags221%
Visibility & Wipers211%
Body & Structure101%
Seat Belts91%
Seats50%
Tires & Wheels30%

Does the 2018 Jeep Compass have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V523000BrakesAugust 9, 2018 · 154,335 units

Defect

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

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.

18V524000Electrical SystemAugust 9, 2018 · 12,779 units

Defect

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

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.

18V279000SuspensionMay 1, 2018 · 2,761 units

Defect

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

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.

17V732000AirbagsNovember 21, 2017 · 27,210 units

Defect

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

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.

17V740000Electrical SystemNovember 21, 2017 · 25,823 units

Defect

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

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.

17V670000EngineOctober 24, 2017 · 357 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MULTIPLE TIMES I WOULD TRY TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY WOULD BE DEAD. AFTER JUMPING THE CAR OFF IT WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD IT CHECKED BUT NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. ON 02/01/2021 THE CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT START. I HAD A MECHANIC JUMP THE CAR OFF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 1, 2021 · fire

“I parked my car somewhere between 1:00-1:30 pm came back out at 3:00 and opened my drivers side door to see the door panel caught fire it was extinguished when I open the door. Yes it can be inspected I could’ve been driving when it caught fire. It will be inspected by an insurance adjuster on…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 20, 2022 · fire

“My Radio has formed a bubble in it which is causing it to glitch and my backup camera to malfunction when driving and backing up I hit my fence because my radio glitched and keep having to replace the auxiliary battery in my jeep it’s been replaced several times”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 13, 2024 · crash

“AT ABOUT 25 MPH THE BREAKS DIDN'T WORK WHEN APPLIED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, SOME TIMES THE CAR SPEEDS UP EVEN WHEN GAS PEDAL IS NOT APPLIED, SOMETIMES WHEN I SHIFT TO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE D OR R INDICATOR FLASHING THEN I HAVE TO PARK AND TRY AGAIN.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 8, 2018 · crash

“SEVERAL DAYS AGO WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY, MY JEEP COMPASS WOULD NOT BRAKE AT ALL. WE WERE FORCED TO PULL OFF ON THE MEDIAN LEFT SIDE UNTIL IT STOPPED.. TWO DAYS AGO, OCTOBER 10TH, WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT A SIGN JUST MISSING A TREE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 10, 2018 · crash

2018 Jeep Compass — common questions

Is the 2018 Jeep Compass reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,614 complaints put the 2018 model at #1 of 20 Compass years. It is one of the Compass years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Compass problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (471 complaints), electrical system (397 complaints), other (191 complaints).

Does the 2018 Jeep Compass have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Jeep Compass. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Jeep Compass years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Compass years to avoid are 2018, 2019, 2014, 2016, 2007, 2022, 2017, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2013. The cleanest record among Compass years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2018 Jeep Compass?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Jeep Compass earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.