Diagsheet

2018 Jeep Compass · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

  • 372owner reports
  • 21,039median miles
  • $1,000median quote
  • 4involved a crash

Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

737 of the 937 complaints on this car are about the engine. 372 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Compass.

Tick what matches of 372 reports

185
123
266
118
1
9

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (55 reports), the engine (17 reports), the alternator (5 reports) and the throttle body (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

3 recalls on the engine cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18V-524Aug 9, 2018
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

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
Risk: 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.
17V-740Nov 21, 2017
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel

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
Risk: 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.
17V-670Oct 24, 2017
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

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
Risk: 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.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Compass

PE22-013opened Dec 2, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2019 to 2020

False overheat leading to loss of motive power. Closed dec 10, 2023.

NHTSA summary
On December 2, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22-013 to investigate allegations of loss of motive power accompanied by high coolant temperature messages on the dashboard of Model Year 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. At the time this investigation was opened, ODI was aware of fifteen Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for Model Year (MY) 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles alleging a loss of motive power (LOMP) while driving. The LOMP events were often accompanied by a high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high message appearing on the dashboard of the vehicle. In most incidents, the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high dashboard messages spontaneously self-corrected or were corrected after the vehicle was stopped and restarted. One complainant alleged no immediate restart, and the vehicle was towed. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) was opened to assess the frequency and potential safety consequences of these engine shut down events. On January 19th, 2023, ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler US LLC (FCA) requesting pertinent information on the subject 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. FCA provided its full response on March 2nd, 2023. ODI has reviewed the information FCA provided as well as new reports submitted to NHTSA’s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire database. Based on a review of available information, ODI has identified 173 subject vehicles that likely experienced a shutdown event associa
RQ22-002opened Jul 22, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2015 to 2016

Stall from crankshaft\camshaft failure. Closed jun 16, 2025.

NHTSA summary
On December 13, 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received recall 16V-907 from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) that identified a safety defect involving crankshaft or camshaft sensor failures on certain 2016 Model Year Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles. The failure of the crankshaft or camshaft sensor may lead to a loss of motive power (LOMP) in the recalled vehicles. Following the receipt of recall 16V-907, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received 127 vehicle owner’s questionnaires (VOQ), in which consumers allege experiencing crankshaft or camshaft failures on similar vehicles not included in the recall. On July 22, 2022, this Recall Query was opened to further assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect described in the recall. During this investigation, ODI sent two information request (IR) letters to FCA. The first letter was sent on August 15, 2022, and the second on July 12, 2024. Responses to these IR letters, that included manufacturer claim data related to the alleged defect, were received on September 26, 2022, and September 6, 2024, respectively. Analysis of ODI and FCA claim data identified two failure modes relating to intermittent crankshaft and camshaft sensor loss of signal. The first failure mode involves a faulty crankshaft or camshaft electrical connector, as identified in recall 16V-907. The second failure mode involves a faulty crankshaft and/or camsh
AQ17-004opened Aug 18, 2017
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2017

Northwest chrysler jeep dodge sale issue. Closed nov 23, 2020.

NHTSA summary
NHTSA opened AQ17-004 to determine whether Northwest Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Houston, Texas (Northwest) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. 30120(i)). NHTSA issued information request letters (IRs) to Northwest and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA) in August 2017, and again in October 2017 and December 2017. NHTSA's investigation indicated that Northwest sold and delivered at least 310 recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers. On August 19, 2020, NHTSA entered into a Settlement Agreement with Northwest and its parent company, Ken Garff Automotive LLC, to resolve the Audit Query. In the agreement, Northwest agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty and Ken Garff agreed to certain training and auditing requirements. The training relates to company policy, procedures, and compliance to prohibit sales of motor vehicles with open recalls and the integration of FCA's recall notifications into the dealership's inventory system.This Audit Query is closed.

None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.

What owners paid

14 of the 372 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $555 to $1,995.

$555$1,000$1,995
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 6,200 and 37,000 miles, from the 230 reports that gave a mileage.

117
2218
9819
6120
4321
4622
3723
2424
2025
2026

What owners wrote

“I've had this jeep since September 2021. I've driven about 32,000 miles. When I purchased the car it had 36,000 miles. Every light came on, including the check engine light. I have also seen the car will shut off. Park this vehicle about a month ago.”

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · 32,000 miles

“All lights randomly flashed on dash then the vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic. This is the third time it has happened, and the dealership had claimed to have fixed it. Just had brand new batteries installed to ensure sufficient voltage, and it still happened. 32k miles.”

Filed Dec 10, 2022 · 32,000 miles

“Vehicle shut off/stalled while driving and check engine light came on. Lost control of steering, start/stop function etc. Warning lights came on for transmission and to service 4 wheel drive as well as tart top function failure. Could start car back up right away. Car is 2018 and less than 46k miles.”

Filed Oct 21, 2022 · 46,000 miles

“Was pulling into traffic and my car had a low oil pressure light come on and the car shut off almost got hit 3 days later the wiring system when crazy wouldn't let me shut the car off causing my car to over heat”

Filed Jan 7, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 4 of 372 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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