2018 Jeep Compass · symptom sheet

Burns oil or oil level rises

144owner reports
11,617median miles
1involved a crash

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

499 of the 937 complaints on this car are about the engine. 144 of those describe oil consumption.

Tick what matches of 144 reports

adding oil between changes

oil smells like gas

the oil level rises

low oil light came on

the dealer called it normal

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (31 reports), the engine (13 reports) and the PCV valve (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

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

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

None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 4,600 and 30,000 miles, from the 117 reports that gave a mileage.

718

6519

2120

1521

1522

823

424

525

426

What owners wrote

“Vehicle stopped running twice at different times in crossing traffic due to what I found out later was low oil even though i had just purchased the vehicle and had only driven 2-4 thousand miles. Since then I am still burning over a quart every 1000 miles even though the dealer supposedly did the software update that some claim fixes the problem”
Filed Jun 10, 2025 · 1,000 miles

“Did an oil change on 2018 jeep compass, within 500 miles I had to replace Iâve a quart of oil. When turning before, they car stalled and parking break engaged in the middle of the road. Had to put the car in neutral and start it. Once started the low oil light turned on and had lose of power. Have dealt with adding oil multiple times shortly after oil changes.”
Filed Feb 19, 2023

“Vehicles stalls, engine shuts off while driving in the middle of the road. Very scary and disconcerting. Has happened once every day in the last 3 days. Just as it stalls, a low oil pressure warning flashes and disappears almost immediately. Vehicle hasnât been seen by any one yet.”
Filed Jan 18, 2023

“I have been told by my mechanics that there is an issue with my vehicle and its oil consumption. Due to the excessive oil burn, I have had to get my oil changes frequently and sooner than expected. My vehicle has suddenly turned off while driving and now has a warning that the "Stop/Start Unavailable Service Stop/Start System."”
Filed Sep 19, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 144 reports involved a crash. 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.