10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,772 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Jeep Compass engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Jeep Compass Owner Comments (Page 4 of 21)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #344

Jan 022023

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Auburn, ME, USA

problem #343

Nov 172022

Compass

  • miles
After being serviced by my vehicle-€™s dealership only a month earlier (and still well within the powertrain warranty), my vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off in the middle of the freeway during peak morning traffic. I narrowly escaped being hit by a semi-truck from behind and had to quickly pull over to the side of the freeway as safely as I could. I-€™ve taken my vehicle to several mechanics who could find nothing wrong with my vehicle, save the open recall on similar models (though not my VIN in particular, which I do believe to be an error) involving an issue with the powertrain and an electrical chip. This vehicle has been thoroughly maintained with regular service intervals, yet somehow will randomly stall and shut off when driving. It is dangerous and discouraging.

- Menifee, CA, USA

problem #342

Dec 272022

Compass

  • miles
Vehicle warning lights for Service 4wd, ABS and the A! with arrow flashed on. The vehicle lost the ability to accelerate while turning at the stop light. Coasted to side of the road. Powered Vehicle off then back on. Stop/Start error message flashed on screen "start/stop unavailable Service Stop/Start system" Oil and coolant levels are good. Only error message remains is the stop/Start system.

- Brigham City, UT, USA

problem #341

Dec 102022

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Bangor, ME, USA

problem #340

Nov 182022

Compass

  • miles
The auxiliary battery has failed at least 3 times (2018) and been replaced, as well as the main battery. When this happens the car is dead in the water, even the SiriusXM Guardian controls on the rear view mirror do not respond leaving you in dangerous situations. You are unable to contact emergency services for a tow, or emergency vehicles. The dealership said it was faulty batteries but has had to replace them one more time after replacing the ones they say were faulty by manufacturer. The dealership wants additional money for tracing the issue but the car is just out from warranty by a few months. Prior to this, the dealership did not trace to find any shorts and the batteries were confirmed to be malfunctioning. There are no error codes found when this occurs. Dealership has confirmed MANY Jeep Compass have had the batteries replaced.

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #339

Oct 242022

Compass

  • miles
This Compass has been to North Point Jeep in Winston Salem, NC, 3 times for engine problems. The car overheats and then turns completely off after going 60 mph. We have complained but the dealership denies that there is an issue and these cars are "good". The car is currently at the dealership in repair and has been for the last month. Please make them accountable as we have spent a lot of money and time on this car that only has 40,000 miles. Please advise.

- Clemmons, NC, USA

problem #338

Nov 242022

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since taking over ownership in 2020 of a 2018 SUV that currently has only 61,000 miles I've had electrical issues with the auto start/stop warning light coming on/off intermittently. I was told by that make and model dealership that that happens for several reasons and was of no large concern. I've had the 1 electrical recall 'reprogrammed', but then my car wouldn't start on Thanksgiving. Replaced the main battery then took it back to dealership, $180 later was told the steering gear rack needs replacing. I've heard a clunking sound in the steering for about 2-3 weeks. How with so few miles is that possible? After replacing battery they also said all old codes should've cleared from system and hadn't so they cleared them. I've also noted multiple times that the coolant seems to run on the low side periodically. I've already had warranty replace the washer fluid resevoir next to a hot engine component in 2021. The engine does not appear to cool as it should to me and the placement of hoses and electrical is so tight together this has me wondering if it affects the electronic controls to EVERYTHING. Had I not noticed the steering issue myself, no error or warning messages have displayed on the vehicle. It will not properly calibrate test itself and it is $1800 for this steering part and my warranties have all expired after only 2 years. Multiple electrical components seem to be reported issues as well as steering and engine issues for this year and model. I'm ready to trade it in! I feel the maker needs to re-evaluate this model and make several changes to ensure a safe and reliable vehicle as I do not feel safe to even drive it now even after dealer said I could for now. Problem will worsen, and I have a bad taste in my mouth of this maker now anyhow. I loved my car, now I'm left clueless as to what would be safe and reliable. Service reports and receipts can be uploaded if needed to verify the Dealerships notes and Services performed.

- Heathsville, VA, USA

problem #337

Dec 022022

Compass

  • miles
I will be driving and suddenly the car stops. The parking break comes on and the car won't start. Takes awhile to get it restarted. It seems dangerous and as I've googled seems like a problem all across the board not just me.

- Madison, OH, USA

problem #336

Nov 242022

Compass

  • miles
While driving, car began to overheat. I have recently completed an oil change where all my fluids are topped off to ensure proper functionality. Upon inspection, the coolant is completely empty and the car continues to use up coolant as it is used. Car becomes overheated within minutes of driving. When turning on the car occasionally, the dashboard flashes and does not work.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

problem #335

Nov 152022

Compass

  • miles
I was driving my daughter to school going 25-30 miles per hour and the car engine shut off as we were moving on the road. I didn-€™t realize it was off until I couldn-€™t move the steering wheel. The car stopped in the middle of the road disrupting traffic. The lights on the dashboard were on but the engine wouldn-€™t start. The dashboard message said -€œplace the car on Parking, press the break and push the button to turn on the car-€. I attempted several times to place the car in Parking but it wouldn-€™t recognize the shift. Finally after several harsh attempts of going from Drive to Parking on the shift, the lights went off and the car recognized being on Parking. I was able to turn the car back on and drove it to the dealer. This is the second time that the car shuts off, the first time I wasn-€™t driving it though. It stopped working while warming up with the Auto Start feature and parked. It was asking for the same -€œto place the car on parking-€ but the car was already on parking. Eventually we unplugged the battery and plugged it back on and after 20ish minutes the car turned on again. No code was detected by their computer scanner. Mechanic claimed I may just need oil. No diagnosis as of today.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #334

Nov 132022

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car will flash a "Coolant Temperature Too High" message, vehicle shuts itself down. There is no way it-€™s too hot and it is really unsafe for my car to just shut down.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #333

Sep 092022

Compass

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, while driving at various speeds, the transmission temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that when the gear shifter was shifted into reverse(R) or drive(D), the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on three different occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Greenville, MS, USA

problem #332

Oct 312022

Compass

  • miles
Car is stopping while driving at highway speed (second time in a little over a month). Car was taken to Spartanburg dodge after first incident. They claimed it was due to unknown factor and then claimed it was low on oil, which was not true as there was no warning or low oil warning. this car belongs to my daughter and the dealerships think that women are not knowledgeable enough to know of the oil situation. On public forums, there are many sites telling of exact problem and the dealerships will not take responsibility for the situation.

- Laurens, SC, USA

problem #331

Nov 082021

Compass

  • miles
Stalled in the middle of traffic and would not switch out of gears almost was rear ended. Acceleration delayed and jerks when accelerating going up hill. Check engine light comes on if idling too long. Constant need for oil changes and burning smell of oil leak. Smoke coming from hood due to oil leak. Misfires and if idle temperature of coolant and transmission increases.

- Fort Worth , TX, USA

problem #330

Apr 022022

Compass

  • miles
The vehicle would not go into gears engine stalled in the middle of road. the engine cut off after it slowed and wouldn't go down. consumes a lot of oil struts tips when turning and bounce when going uphills picked up speed on its on when the highway without pressing on gas pedal

- E.St.Louis, IL, USA

problem #329

Oct 122022

Compass

  • miles
My car uses too much oil and my car keeps shutting off after 3000 miles when I should be getting 5-6000 to an oil change. My engine literally ran out of oil in about 6 weeks and my mechanics stated that it must be a recall issue. I feel like this is a threat to engine safety.

- Luzerne, PA, USA

problem #328

Oct 082022

Compass

  • miles
My car has been shutting off, at low speeds and high speeds the auto on/off will go on even after I turn it off

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #327

Oct 102022

Compass 4-cyl

  • miles
Jeep stalls while driving. Brake pedal becomes stiff and car will not start. Happens in the middle of the highway sometimes. It also will do this when I come to a complete stop. I have caused traffic interference and almost caused an accident. Sometimes I am able to get it started again after 10-15 minutes, sometimes I need to call a tow truck. The dealership said that it was the batteries in my key fab so they replaced them and it continued to happen. When researching online, I see that a lot of people have this issue and Chrysler has not responded to anyone.

- Calumet, MI, USA

problem #326

Sep 232022

Compass

  • miles
While driving approximately 50 mph with the cruise control on, the engine light came on and said "service engine", the engine shut off and shortly after restarted on it's own. When it restarted it did not allow me to reach the previous speed and would not allow me to restart the cruise control system. It did finally let me reach a decent speed. I parked the car and then later started the car, it appeared to be normal, the cruise control worked again. At home I was able to reset the service engine light. This was dangerous because if there was a vehicle close behind me there would have been an accident.

- Clay, MI, USA

problem #325

Sep 192022

Compass

  • miles
Outragious oil consumption, car shuts down or slows down significantly while driving, check engine light came on and now reads code P1dd2, ive only had this vehicle for 1.5 yrs. And ive had to change oil about 8 times and carry extra oil with me in case it acts up or needs it. Now car wont go over 30 mph and spits and sputters. I just got an oil change done! literally 2 days ago. Plus I just had to replace sway bar links and both front tires due to accessive wear. This vehicle doesnt even have 35,000 miles on it. There should be no reason to replace those things so soon. Please help!

- Homer, NY, USA

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