Owners have reported 28 crashes, 5 fires and 18 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Jeep Compass. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints293
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several recurring electrical system issues with the 2018 Jeep Compass. Complaints frequently mention problems with the start/stop system, where vehicles stall at traffic lights and fail to restart for several minutes, often accompanied by numerous warning lights on the dashboard. Another common issue involves the infotainment screen delaminating, causing erratic touchscreen behavior that distracts drivers. Multiple owners describe emergency brake malfunctions, with the brake engaging randomly while driving, leading to unexpected stops. These issues often appear around 40,000 miles, but some reports occur earlier or later. Safety implications are significant, as two complaints involve crashes and three mention fires, indicating potential risks for buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 3 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints189
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2018 Jeep Compass frequently experiences excessive engine oil consumption, with vehicles stalling unexpectedly due to low oil levels. Typical symptoms include the oil pressure warning light activating, the vehicle shutting off while driving, and the need for frequent oil top-ups, often within 1,000 to 2,900 miles after an oil change. Complaints also describe issues with the engine overheating, leading to stalling and smoke from the engine compartment. These problems are often reported around 30,000 to 68,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of vehicles stalling in traffic and two incidents involving crashes, highlighting potential hazards for drivers and passengers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints143
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent power train issues with the 2018 Jeep Compass, particularly involving stalling and loss of power while driving. Complaints commonly describe incidents where the vehicle unexpectedly shuts down at various speeds, sometimes accompanied by warning lights and messages such as "Park the Vehicle" or "START/STOP not Available." Multiple reports mention the vehicle failing to start or shift into gear, often requiring towing and leaving drivers stranded. These issues often occur around 30,000 to 100,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with six complaints involving crashes and four reporting injuries, highlighting concerns about sudden stalls on highways and loss of vehicle control. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the associated safety risks.
Severity signals: 6 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints98
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Jeep Compass frequently report the vehicle unexpectedly stalling or shutting down, often while in motion or at intersections. Symptoms commonly include the vehicle shifting into neutral on its own, warning messages about engine shutdowns, and issues restarting the car. Many complaints highlight problems with the backup camera and infotainment system, such as freezing or malfunctioning screens. These issues are often reported at various mileages, sometimes as low as 30,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with several owners describing being stranded in traffic or narrowly avoiding accidents due to sudden vehicle shutdowns.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints28
STEERING
Owners report frequent issues with the 2018 Jeep Compass related to unexpected engine shutdowns, often accompanied by a loss of steering control. Complaints frequently mention the engine stalling during various driving conditions, including at highway speeds, intersections, and while turning, with some incidents linked to low oil levels. These events typically occur around 30,000 to 61,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with two reports involving crashes and one injury due to loss of vehicle control. Buyers should be aware that these issues may pose a risk of sudden vehicle immobilization, which could lead to hazardous situations.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints24
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2018 Jeep Compass frequently report issues with the suspension system, particularly involving sway bar links and control arms. Symptoms commonly described include rattling noises, clunking sounds over bumps, and the need for early replacement of struts and sway bar links, often around 10,000 to 35,000 miles. Some complaints also mention alignment issues that lack factory adjustments, leading to uneven tire wear. Safety implications are notable, with three reports of crashes linked to suspension failures, including incidents where a tie rod snapped and a wheel broke off, resulting in two injuries. These patterns suggest potential safety risks and maintenance costs for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints22
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Jeep Compass frequently report issues with the vehicle's braking system, particularly the unintended activation of the emergency brake while driving, which can cause sudden stops and vehicle shutdowns. Complaints often describe the car stalling or losing motive power, with some owners noting that the issue occurs at various speeds, including highway conditions. These problems are reported across a range of mileages, with some incidents occurring as early as 4,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as one complaint involves a crash with injuries due to brake failure. Additionally, several owners mention brake vibrations and grinding noises, which are sometimes attributed to warped rotors or other mechanical issues. This information may be particularly relevant for potential buyers considering the reliability and safety of a used 2018 Jeep Compass.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints15
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Jeep Compass frequently report issues with airbag system malfunctions, including warning lights illuminating intermittently and failures to deploy during collisions. Complaints often describe airbag warning lights activating at various speeds and conditions, with some reports indicating unresolved issues despite multiple dealership visits. Several incidents involve airbags not deploying in crashes, with at least eight injuries reported and one case involving a fire. These issues are noted across a range of mileages, with some reports starting as early as 800 miles. Buyers should be aware of the potential for unresolved airbag system problems and related safety implications, including non-deployment in collision scenarios.
Severity signals: 7 crash, 1 fire, 8 injury reports
Owner complaints14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Jeep Compass frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, primarily involving unintended acceleration and stalling. Common symptoms include the accelerator pedal sticking or becoming unresponsive, causing the vehicle to accelerate unexpectedly or fail to accelerate at all, sometimes resulting in crashes. Some owners describe the vehicle stalling at intersections or while driving, often accompanied by warning lights or error messages, and requiring a restart to resume normal operation. These issues commonly occur at mileage as low as 5,000 to 46,817 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes due to these failures, making it crucial for potential buyers to be aware of these patterns.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Jeep Compass frequently report issues with engine stalling and excessive oil consumption. Complaints commonly describe the vehicle stalling at various speeds, often without warning lights, and being difficult to restart. Symptoms such as illuminated check engine lights, engine overheating warnings, and low oil pressure warnings are noted, with some owners observing the need to add oil frequently between changes. These issues are reported to occur around 30,000 to 84,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, with one owner reporting a crash due to stalling. This pattern of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers, particularly regarding engine performance and oil consumption.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
