Second generation (MP)
2018 Jeep Compass
The most reported problem on the 2018 Jeep Compass is stalling, with 376 complaints, usually around 21,000 miles.
- 943owner complaints
- 6recalls
- 28involved a crash
- 21,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Compass doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
- Stalling376 reports
- Infotainment160 reports
- Oil consumption144 reports
- Dead battery103 reports
- Misfire74 reports
- Warning lights68 reports
- Brake wear62 reports
- Overheating44 reports
- Engine failure42 reports
- Headlights39 reports
- Auto start-stop failure34 reports
- Engine rattle30 reports
- Transmission warning light30 reports
- Phantom braking29 reports
- Transmission shudder26 reports
- Suspension26 reports
- Traction control light25 reports
Is the 2018 Jeep Compass reliable?
The 2018 Jeep Compass has 943 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.8 times the median of 331 for 2018 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 Compass model years since 2014, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- The 2018 stands out from the model years on either side. It draws 105 complaints for each year on the road, while the 2017 draws 23 and the 2019 41.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: stalling, named in 376 of the 943 complaints (40%). A quarter of the 231 owners who gave a mileage for stalling saw it by about 6,000 miles, and half by about 21,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 33 of the 943 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 28 reports mention a crash, 5 mention a fire and 18 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Each of stalling, infotainment and oil consumption has a recall on the same system: stalling and oil consumption, 17V-670; infotainment, 17V-740 and 18V-524. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 185 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 61. So far in 2026, 46 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine stalls or loses power while driving, 376 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
943 complaints is 3.4 times the median 2018 model on this site and 2.8 times the median 2018 SUV. Among the 8 Compass model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Jeep Compass
Jeep filed 333 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Jeep Compass. 39 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 22 bulletins · 160 complaints
Radio Message "Power Surge On USB Detected" Customers may comment on the following: ● The radio displays the message: “Power surge on USB hub detected” Fig. 1. NOTE: After the message appears, no USB devices function in the hub (no charging, no data).
SOS and Assistance Call Not Working After Radio Exchange Unit Installed
20 more on this problem
Apple CarPlay Does Not Work Or Not Connecting
Radio Remained On After Ignition Is Switched Off, Dead Battery From Excessive Radio Current Draw
UCQ UAQ UGQ and UDQ Radio Enhancements Software Updated to 18.8 Customers may experience one or more of the following: ? **Wi-Fi hotspot connection failure (UAQ and UCA).
UAQ and UCQ Radio Enhancements Customers may experience one or more of the following: ? **Wi-Fi hotspot connection failure. ? Speaker popping, crackle noise during Voice Recognition (VR) response and navigation guidance.
Connected Services Will Not Work After Radio Replacement
Radio Reboot Continually
Apple CarPlay Malfunctioning, Does Not Launch Or Is Cutting In An Out On Wired And Wireless Connection, Radio Stuck When IPhone Is Connected
Apple Carplay Inoperative Or Not Working, Phone Not Pairing, Carplay Lockup, Freeze or Audio Concerns
ULQ Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and if required, updating the radio software level to 34.2. If the software update is performed on a radio with software below 19.9, the radio could be damaged and will need to be replaced.
UDQ Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves inspecting and if required, updating the radio software level to 21.8 Customers may experience one or more of the following:Disabled Carplay® for rear facing second row USB ports.
Plus 10 older ones not listed here.
Burns oil or oil level rises 3 bulletins · 144 complaints
2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes. ● Excessive oil consumption.
2.4L Engine Oil Consumption Test The customer may comment that the vehicles engine oil level is low or they need to add oil between oil change intervals and no visible signs of oil leaking from the engine.
1 more on this problem
2.4L Engine Oil Consumption Test This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test. The customer may comment that the vehicles engine oil level is low or they need to add oil between oil change intervals and no visible signs of oil ...
Battery dies or the car will not start 4 bulletins · 103 complaints
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
Battery Drain Concern, Dual USB Port Normal Operational Draw, Extended Illumination Or Extended Operation After Key Off
2 more on this problem
Engine Stop/Start (ESS) Inoperative This bulletin involves inspecting the Intelligent Battery (IBS) part number and/or replacing the starter motor and wire to the starter for a engine stop/start issue.
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available software.
Check engine light or misfire 4 bulletins · 74 complaints
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Flash: Electronic Shift Module (ESM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the Electronic Shift Module (ESM) with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
2 more on this problem
Customer complaint may include MIL/Check Engine lamp on. Upon further inspection, fault code P219A - Bank 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance may be found in the powertrain control module (PCM) as pending, active, or stored.
2.4L Ignition Coil Boot Replacement This bulletin involves replacing all four ignition coil insulating boots. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 62 complaints
A/C Pressure Transducer A/C inoperative and diagnosis leads to pressure transducer. Call Steve Rice at cell (248) 867-0061 before replacing the pressure transducer. If no response in 15 minutes, please proceed with repair.
Backup camera goes black or freezes 1 bulletin · 55 complaints
Steering Wheel Switches, Terrain Switch Inoperative, Backup Camera Display Has No Grid Lines
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 2 bulletins · 44 complaints
Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
Headlights too dim or fail 2 bulletins · 39 complaints
Interior Water Intrusion Through HVAC Air Inlet This bulletin involves installing new stud clips on the headlamp wiring harness, inspecting and possibly replacing, the cowl panel cover, instrument panel insulator and front carpets for water intrusion.
Auto High Beam Feature Inoperable This bulletin involves adding a sensor, switch and a jumper wiring harness. The customer may describe the following:The auto high beam feature is inoperable.
Complaints filed by year
185 complaints came in 2019, 2.5 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2018 Jeep Compass
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
All 6 recalls on the 2018 Jeep Compass, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Jeep Compass?
Stalling, with 376 of the 943 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 21,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Compass problems start?
Of the 499 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 7,000 miles and half by about 21,000.
Is the 2018 Jeep Compass better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has more complaints than both the 2017 and the 2019: 105 a year against 23 and 41.
How many 2018 Jeep Compass complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
33 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2018 Jeep Compass?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 17V-670. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.