2018 Jeep Compass · symptom sheet

Engine overheats or leaks coolant

44owner reports
46,000median miles
1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

477 of the 937 complaints on this car are about the engine. 44 of those describe overheating.

Tick what matches of 44 reports

the temperature gauge climbed into the red

coolant is disappearing or on the ground

white smoke from the tailpipe

the heater stopped blowing hot

the dealer found a head gasket or cracked block

the engine was replaced afterward

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the coolant hose or reservoir (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 20,000 and 61,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.

219

420

321

1022

1223

424

325

626

What owners wrote

“The Jeep says High Coolant Temperature even after adding much coolant. Car shuts off while driving on the streets and highways.”
Filed Jun 24, 2023

“Driving to work and felt like engine locked up. Looked at dashboard and the coolant gauge on left side suddenly spiked and said "Coolant Temperature High." Then 2-3 seconds later the coolant temp gauge went straight back to normal and engine came back on.”
Filed Jun 12, 2023

“The auto start stop stopped working. My car overheated in May 2022 which I paid 900 dollars for repair. Also screen went out on Dec 2021. My car is in the shop now because it stopped on the freeway and the hot start/stop stops the car from moving.”
Filed Feb 18, 2023

“2018 Jeep Compass is doing the same as the 2019&2020 models, flashing a coolant temp high notice on the dash then vehicle is shutting off while driving Incident occurred once at 70mph and again at 35mph”
Filed Jan 11, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 44 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.