7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
14,050 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. added oil and replace batteries (3 reports)
  3. cleaned oil passages (1 reports)
  4. engine replacement (1 reports)
2018 Jeep Compass engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Jeep Compass Owner Comments

problem #12

Sep 072023

Compass Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,500 miles

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

Purchased our 2018 Compass in November 2020 and were immediately contacted by Chrysler/Jeep about a recall to inspect powertrain control module. Had that done in January 2021. Also did an oil check and in two months (no heavy duty use of the car) we had gone through a quart. Going forward, we were careful about scheduling oil changes. Had batteries checked in November 2022 because we were having issues with start up. Technician noted batteries were good, but ended up needing new batteries a few months later in March 2023.

Things were okay until April when the car would not start back up after stopping at a light. Had two little ones with me. No warning lights on. Auto brake automatically went on so car could not be moved! would not start as we tried multiple times while waiting for a tow. ended up replacing the starter, but mechanics not 100 percent sure that was the real problem. Car ran well until 9/7/2023. Stopped to get gas so car was in park and turned off, went to get back on the road and car would not start! Had it towed to my home because I'm just not sure it's fixable! After reading all these complaints, I don't think I'd trust any repair to last. I'm ready to junk this baby and never buy another Chrysler/Jeep again! Inferior, unreliable product in a market where there's plenty of other options!

- Denise S., Manchester, US

problem #11

Oct 202019

Compass Limited 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

While driving, the engine shuts down and the ebrake comes on. My wife and I were in traffic and could have been seriously hurt or killed as well as who ever may have hit us. According to the dealer, Bedard Brothers in Cheshire Massachusetts, it is a problem with this particular vehicle's engine. Apparently if the engine becomes low on oil it shuts down without notice.

At this point in time there are no recalls on our vehicle? Someone will eventually be seriously hurt if this is not addressed.

Thanks for listening (reading).

- Robert S., Pittsfield, US

problem #10

Jan 202021

Compass Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,500 miles

I had taken my car in multiple times to the jeep dealer because it would stop while at a stoplight. Every time I took it in, I was told nothing was wrong with the car.

In comes this past Wednesday when my car which was traveling 55+ yer hour on the highway, completely stopped, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING! Luckily I wasn't injured. I drove home and tried to call jeep but was unsuccessful because it was later in the evening.

So Thursday I called and spend all day going back and forth to get someone, anyone to get back to me. I am so tired of the Jeep and their lack of transparency with this issue and the fact that they are trying to bury this. I really loved my car but after my near-death experience, I can no longer be quiet.

- Tendai P., Worcester, US

problem #9

Jan 042020

Compass Trailhawk

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,600 miles

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

My Jeep Compass was turning off while I was driving. It would shut off, all the lights would turn on and feel like it was in neutral. When I came to a complete stop, it would completely turn off. I took it to Jeep 3 times before they installed a co-pilot tracker to figure out the issue. They found out that a had metal debris in the engine and that the car was using a lot of oil. They replaced the engine.

- Debbie R., Chicago Ridge, US

problem #8

Jun 142019

Compass 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,400 miles

THIS IS BIG PROBLEM WITH THE 2018. WHEN YOU PURCHASE OR LEASE THEY DO NOT TELL YOU. I HAVE ONLY 7400 MILES. HUSBAND CHECKED THE OIL AND THERE WAS NO OIL. HOW THE HELL DOES THIS HAPPEN? WHY ARE THEY SELLING A VEHICLE THAT DOES THIS? I AM DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND THE ENGINE GOES OFF AND THE CAR COASTS, LEFT WITH NO POWER STEERING. FIAT IS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO PURCHASE THESE VEHICLES WITHOUT TELLING US WHEN THEY KNOW IT IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM. I DO NOT WANT A VEHICLE I AM NOT SAFE IN. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR FIAT!! WHAT DOES FIAT PLAN TO DO WITH IT...WILL THEY NOT BE HAPPY UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF IT.

- Nanc G., St Clair Shores, MI, US

problem #7

Feb 152018

Compass Limited 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,500 miles

Engine turned it self off in middle of the road. Trash somehow got clogged in the oil passage in head of motor, causing it to drop to 5 psi or below oil pressure so motor decided to turn itself off, vs give us a warning of low oil pressure. Roughly 3500 miles on motor after 3 months of owning. Shop took 22 days to fix the problem. Also had transmission jerking beforehand but was ignored when I complained about it.

- John W., Holly Springs, US

problem #6

Dec 032018

Compass Latitude 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,829 miles

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

It was so weird since I just leased this car in April of 2018. It was down 2.5 quarts of oil and both batteries needed to be replaced!

- Lail T., Saint Louis, MO, US

problem #5

Apr 162019

Compass Latitude 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

I was really frightened! I was stopped at a light, the car turns off. Then when I took my foot off the the brake when the light turned green and then the gas, the car seemed to choke and then a bunch of lights went on the dash. Engine needed service, the airbag light and skid light went on. I was in the middle of the road as the car crept through the intersection. I was able to drive it to a nearby parking lot. Due to the weird response of the engine, I called the dealership and ask what to do next. They asked that the car be towed. After 2 hours wait the car and I were taken to the dealership. All together I lost 4 hours with car trouble that day!

- Lail T., Saint Louis, MO, US

problem #4

Apr 122019

Compass Limited 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,200 miles

Stalled 3 times at the SAME EXACT SPOT a mile from my house at a busy intersection. Car is about 6 months old, a little over 4,000 miles. Took it in, they said it burns excessive oil. I had taken it in for an oil change at 3,000 miles & was turned away. Filed complaint with Mopar.

- Catherine C., Scottsdale, US

problem #3

Apr 032019

Compass

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,800 miles

4800 miles and I got 6 month follow up notice. Made appointment 1 week later and decided for next 6 months wanted to turn off start/stop option and see what happens to MPG. First it sucks, you have to push button every time. But it's what happened next that shocked me. I was turning a corner and 2/3 around the car went dead, didn't want to restart. A day later I'm on a small rise and the motor quits again, luckily no one was behind me. A day or 2 goes by seems ok but I'm not turning the stop/start off. Then I'm coming to a stop light but not stopped the car dies and won't restart for a light cycle had traffic backed up honking. After put it in park waited about 30 sec it turned back on. This happened again same deal just died.

So day of 6 month check comes and 3 times driving the 3 miles as I turned corner right the low oil pressure flicked on for no more then a second and died. Car dealer comes up to me to say I need a new engine, very little oil, it will be covered. Very nice give me a lender. Then today they call to say the Jeep Chrysler engineers have said not to replace engine it is suppose to stall if low and something about the new care and solvents are cause after flushed and oil replaced should be ok and will stand by product. Check in every 1000 miles for oil consumption and local guys said make it 500 miles and try to say not to worry.

Well first of all I traded an Audi because of oil burning every 500 miles and didn't want to deal with it. I mean how good can it be for an engine to burn oil like that? So tomorrow I have to drive a distance in a car I'm not trusting and will be on highway for part of the time and I know I'm not going to be comfortable waiting for the car to seize up again.

Why doesn't the oil light come on sooner then when its dying out as you drive? Why doesn't it stay on? Was it because I took a right turn? Don't want to be a statistic or alarmist so what to do? Can't always take left turns (ha ha) I see some were Compass recalls so wondering tonight how do they decide? Why risk lives with auto shut down? Oh they said the turning off of the stop/start feature is a coincidence not related to issue.

- Victoria T., Keene, NH, US

problem #2

Jan 142019

Compass

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,700 miles

I bought my Jeep back in October 2018. When I first bought the car it stopped in the middle of the road after being on the brake, however when pushing the accelerator it would not come back! It just stood there and I had to restart the car while a whole bunch of cars where waiting on me. I literally stopped traffic on a main road for about 10 minutes. One person came to help and also saw that the car had an issue.

Long story short this happened about 4 times and every time I took it to the dealer they said they couldn't find anything. A few days ago the message "oil pressure low" displayed and when taking it to the dealer AGAIN they said "everything was fine". Today, the car stopped when leaving my neighborhood before making a turn, and I said I'm DONE. Finally we took it to the dealer and after speaking with a manager they said that the car needs the motor replaced.

- Andrea Z., Orlando, FL, US

problem #1

Feb 262019

Compass

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,500 miles

Similar issues to what others have reported. I purchased the 2018 Compass in August'18 for my daughter who is putting ~500 miles a month. This week the engine started shutting down while driving - really scary and major safety issue, especially for a 17 year old. The vehicle has 3500 miles on it.

I took it to the dealership as it happened for the 3rd time in 2 days and they told me that the oil was very low and that these vehicles burn about 1 quart every 700 miles and that it is the responsibility of the owner to check and fill oil regularly. Oil change is supposed to be done at 5000 miles. Does this really make sense??

I was shocked to hear that a 2018 vehicle burns so much oil and will run out of oil before the oil change is due, and the dealership mechanic was explaining to me that this is normal! Well, last time I had to add oil to my car was 25 years ago when I was in colleague and had an old car. I have two other cars and never had this issue before.

Is this right? isn't this a major safety hazard? Can Jeep get away with this? Is there any legal action can be taken here?

- Joseph B., Pleasanton, US

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