2018 Jeep Compass · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 376owner reports
- 21,039median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
742 of the 943 complaints on this car are about the engine. 376 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Compass.
Narrower sheets: Engine stalls at idle or a stop (29 reports)
Tick what matches of 376 reports
Stalling on other Compass years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (56 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.
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.
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."
The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
All 6 recalls on the 2018 Jeep Compass, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Compass
False overheat leading to loss of motive power. Closed dec 10, 2023.
Stall from crankshaft\camshaft failure. Closed jun 16, 2025.
Northwest chrysler jeep dodge sale issue. Closed nov 23, 2020.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
15 of the 376 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $555 to $1,995.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 6,200 and 38,000 miles, from the 231 reports that gave a mileage.
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 376 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 160 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 144 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 103 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 74 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 68 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 62 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 44 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 42 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 39 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 34 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 30 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 30 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 29 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 26 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 26 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 25 reports