10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,497 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Jeep Compass:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #190

Mar 262020

Compass

  • 16,500 miles
Car stalled 4 times in the last month while at stop lights. I was stopped at light and when I went to move again the car stalled-all panel lights flashed and car would not turn on again. After multiple attempts the car finally started. This is just another problem with this vehicle. It's also been in the shop multiple times for drivetrain issues. Vehicle is a lemon.

- Lynn Haven, FL, USA

problem #189

Nov 142018

Compass

  • miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the oil level was checked. The oil level was within safe vehicle operating range. The oil light was reset. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17V670000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was not included. Additionally, the contact stated that the ess (engine stop-start) function was inoperable. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V524000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to meador Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram located at (9501 South fwy, fort worth, tx 76140) and southwest Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram located at (2235 N main St, cleburne, tx 76033) where the contact was informed that an oil consumption test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #188

Mar 232020

Compass

  • 30,000 miles
I was driving vehicle going 30 mph at an intersection and the car died as I was turning. Lucky there was a little room where they were doing construction I was able to get out traffic. The parking brake engaged. I waited like two minutes and release the parking brake to restart the car. Car tried to turn over three times, and would not start. Waited 5 min and tried to restart car. Finally came back on. Drove it less than two miles down a city street and it did it again. The last time I was able to get it to restart, the transmission light remained on.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #187

Mar 012019

Compass

  • 12,062 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while his wife was approaching traffic, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted. The driver stated on a second occasion while at a stand still at a parking spot, the vehicle was shifted to reverse and failed to respond with the check engine warning light illuminated. The driver stated on a third occasion, when trying to shift gears to reverse, the steering ceased and the vehicle stalled. The driver shifted the vehicle to park with several warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated the engine was running message was displayed on the instrument panel. Additionally, instructions to depress brakes was displayed. The contact attempted to shift into park but was unable to do so. The contact was unable to turn the vehicle off. The contact waited for several hours and then drove to Chrysler Dodge Jeep of paramus located at 315 NJ-4, paramus, NJ 07652, where the contact was informed that the vehicle needed maintenance service. The contact continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,062.

- Glen Rock, NJ, USA

problem #186

Feb 102019

Compass

  • 1,300 miles
Engine is failing multiple oil consumption tests at dealership. When asked what the next step is for a resolution we are told it is only documented. The vehicle is burning 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #185

Feb 202020

Compass

  • 16,800 miles
At the end of February 2020 my 2018 Jeep Compass engine would seize, while I was driving. It would shut off, and automatically put on the parking brake. I would no longer be able to accelerate, I'd lose power steering, and then it would struggle to restart. This obviously put me at high risk for causing an accident or being involved in a collision. Before the engine shut down, I would see "cannot shift while vehicle is in drive" on my dashboard screen. I had it towed to dealership, as I was rightly terrified to drive it, and they said it was a loose electrical shifting wire. They stated that they secured it and that it should be fine. It happened again two days later, this time with no dashboard screen indication, only the D on my gear stick flashed, and I brought it back. Upon inspection the dealership said that I was out of oil and this was triggering the engine shut off. I was 800 miles over for an oil change (that I had scheduled but was unable to drive to because of the car malfunctioning) however my car had given me no indication whatsoever that it needed oil. I now must go back to the dealer in 1000 miles for an oil consumption test. Dealership predicts I may possibly need a new engine. My car also jerks when I switch gears and at times it struggles to start. Even if the engine is replaced there is no guarantee that the car engine won't seize again if it is low on oil, or thinks it is, and I shouldn't have to manually check the oil of a 2018 vehicle that I purchased with the expectation that it was safe and reliable. Really disappointed with Chrysler. I've owned Jeep in the past that were great and lasted forever. This is really something that Chrysler should consider recalling the whole make/model for. I'm afraid to drive anywhere or have other people in my car. My car is a liability not a safe passenger vehicle.

- Westerly, RI, USA

problem #184

Feb 272020

Compass

  • 16,300 miles
We leased a 2018 Jeep Compass on 02-27-2018 from danbury Dodge dealership. We started to have problems in November 2019, only getting 7 miles per gallon, going from heater to ac on its own and loosing entire display screen. Tried to get into dealership on many occasions but was told they had no loner so when the display screen was lost, I rented a car and went for service at danbury Dodge. Within one hour they called me stating that the entire engine had to be replaced. That is a very short time to determine this, vehicle only has 16,000 miles on it. The next week I was informed that it was fixed. When I drove it home, I noticed a sound in the engine and a shuttering that it never had. When my husband got home, he looked under the hood to make sure they had put back anti freeze, which they did not, but also found that they left a 3' tool that was laying across the battery! if this had fallen it would have hit the battery connections and caused a fire. I again went down to the dealership with this new problem and was told that the new engine might need to be replaced. We have done research on the 2018 Jeep compasses and found numerous complaints about the safety issues with the engines and electrical problems. These vehicles actually can stop running. This is a huge safety issue on any road, especially on the highway. I requested from the dealership and the Jeep corporation to buy back this vehicle due to the now known safety issues. Both have refused. I take care of my grandchildren and this represents a huge issue for our family. I can not understand why there is not a recall on these vehicles. I have article upon article stating the engine problems. I am willing to make copies and get them to you. We have to surrender the vehicle and take a hit on the remaining lease payments. I need some help, please!

- Newtown, CT, USA

problem #183

Mar 012020

Compass

  • 18,000 miles
Engine shuts off while driving. Seems to happen just after using brakes for red light or stop sign. When I accelerate after stopping the engine shuts off shortly after. Extremely dangerous as it can happen right in the middle of an intersection after stopping for a red light!!!! just started doing this yesterday, and it happened twice. Both times on a side street after stopping for a stop sign. I am taking my Compass in this morning to the dealership, as I am terrified to drive my Jeep :(

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #182

Jan 272020

Compass

  • 27,000 miles
A couple of days during a week's time the engine will shut down while taking my daughter to school in the morning as I was turning onto the main road out of my neighborhood. The engine shut off, the steering became difficult, and the parking brake engaged. A couple days after the second time the oil pressure light came on for a second. I check the oil and it was 3 quarts low. No other warning lights came on. After looking for information on the web I learned the engine was low or out of oil and shutting down is a safety feature as is engaging the emergency brake in traffic. I wasn't due for an oil change for quite some time based on Jeep's recommended schedule, but I was forced to do one so they could verify the issue. I am concerned for my safety, my family's, as well as other drivers as I do not know when the car will shut if I don't act like I have my first car from the 1960's and had to check the oil weekly.

- Wading River, NY, USA

problem #181

Feb 252020

Compass

  • 37,000 miles
Multiple times the low oil pressure light flashes. In a few instances the car stalls and doesn't want to start back up leaving you stuck. Luckily we've never been hit when this happens. Usually happens going up a hill or around a bend. Oil level in car is good and changed every 3-5000 miles. It doesn't matter if the car is fully warmed up or cold engine. Doesn't matter if gas level is at a 1/4 or 3/4 tank. I checked for recalls and there was a recall for this problem in the previous model year but it says it's not for my vehicle even though it's the exact same problem. This has happened multiple times with the stalling and probably 25 times the low oil pressure light has flickered on.

- New Cumberand, WV, USA

problem #180

Feb 242020

Compass

  • 39,000 miles
I got my oil changed 2/24/2020. I have had the Jeep less then three months. There was absolutely no oil on the dipstick. This car burned through 5 quarts of oils in 6,000 miles.

- South Haven, MI, USA

problem #179

Feb 162020

Compass

  • 32,000 miles
While driving the car on the morning of February 16, 2020, my vehicle engine turned off without warning while taking a left turn at approximately 10mph. Once the turn was complete and I pressed the pedal to accelerate, there was no response. All electronics were still on, but the speedometer showed 0mph and the engine was not running. I rolled to a stop on the shoulder and pressed the ignition to turn of the electrical systems. When pressing the ignition to restart the vehicle, it struggled to start but was successful. I continued my commute to work. It is easy to understand the risk associated with a total loss of engine power while driving on public streets. Especially since the power steering was not functioning either. I still have no indication of what caused the failure and will consult my local Jeep dealer.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #178

Mar 272019

Compass 4-cyl

  • 1,700 miles
The contact called on behalf of her mother who owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled as an unknown warning light was displayed on several occasions. This would occur when 2 quarts of oil had been used. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic however the vehicle was diagnosed stated battery was in charge mode but it was not fixed. The contact was concerned of an excessive oil consumption. The manufacturer and dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,700. Consumer stated start/stop ready mode does not work.

- Milton, FL, USA

problem #177

Feb 032020

Compass

  • 10,000 miles
This Jeep Compass has auto start stop-when stopped the car will go into auto stop mode. Randomly, when the car is stopped the car will completely lurch and shut down- brakes will lock and the car is inoperable. The dash will say that the emergency brake has been engaged- when in fact the emergency brake has not been touched. The car will sit in the middle of intersections completely locked and shut down for 5-7 minutes. During this time there is no option for the driver- the steering wheel will not work and the car is completely immobile. The car has been brought to the dealership at least 5 times in the past year to address this problem. The dealership has told me about how this engine uses an excessive amount of oil, and have blamed oil being the cause of the problem in multiple cases- despite frequent oil changes and the oil change notification not coming up. On the third time in the dealership, I was told that there was a system upgrade that needed to be conducted. On the 4th time I was told again it was the oil (still no oil light indicator) the 5th time this problem occurred (less than one month after the 4th incident) the dealership stated they could not recreate the problem so there was nothing wrong with it and nothing we could do. This car is extremely dangerous in it's unpredictability and the fact that it becomes a stagnant vehicle in the middle of traffic. I can not stress enough how unsafe I feel in this car and knowing that there are so many faulty Jeep compasses on the road.

- Clawson, MI, USA

problem #176

Feb 122019

Compass 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,039 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 50 mph, the oil warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact's son was able to veer to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was turned off and back on and operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to (croton auto park 1 municipal pl, croton-on-hudson, NY 10520 (914) 271-5100) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V670000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but no further assistance was taken. The failure mileage was approximately 11,039.

- Ossining, NY, USA

problem #175

Jan 212020

Compass

  • 22,120 miles
Two days back, the Jeep while driving suddenly the engine went silent, accelerator did not work, the "D" sign in the gear was flashing. I need to take the gear to parking, stop the engine and restart. Luckily there was no car behind or atleast the one that was stopped at a distance as my car did not move. This happened again next day twice. This problem is scary.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #174

Jan 292020

Compass

  • 27,500 miles
My car engine stalls all of a sudden while the car is in motion. I noticed this issue 2 times in last summer (2019) when driving on the local/town roads. After that this did not happen until 2 days ago (1/29/2020) while I was returning home. And it happened again yesterday (1/30/2020) while I had left my school campus. I have been getting my car serviced at the recommended service intervals. When the car stops right in the middle of the road, the display asks me to shift into P and restart the car. This is an extreme hazard to the driver/passengers. I checked online and there are other people who too have had similar issues. Is NHTSA taking any action against Jeep or would you end up waiting for fatalities before any investigation into this problem? here is an article that describes the problem mentioned by me. Https://www.helpforlemoncars.com/blog/2019/04/Jeep-Compass-problems-with-stalling-and-shutting-off-while-driving.shtml

- Ashland, MA, USA

problem #173

Jan 272020

Compass

  • 28,300 miles
My Jeep Compass turns off while driving. The low oil pressure light comes on and the parking break turns on in the middle of the street, more than 4 times. Took my Jeep to a dealership, they said don't worry you just need an oil change. I stated that my check oil light did not come on, the engine light did not come on, and the change your oil light did not come on. How am I supposed to know the oil pressure is low? the light only flashes for a second, until the vehicle turns off. The first couple times, I was unaware the light flashed. I was to busy trying to avoid being hit from behind. I had to turn on hazards, figure out the parking break engaged and panic. That is a hazard on the road. I inquired if there was a recall or any injuries or deaths due to the issue. The answer was not yet. The 2.4 burns oil, everyone has this problem. I don't find acceptable. I have to drive this car at least 6 more years. It is not a safe vehicle. The Jeep has died backing up in parking lot. The Jeep dies during turning both right and light on busy streets. And once, I turned left drove 4 cars length and stopped dead in traffic on a busy street.

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

problem #172

Jan 152020

Compass

  • 27,948 miles
Two days in a row the engine shut down less then one mile into my morning commute as I was turning onto the main road out of my development. The engine shut off, the steering became difficult, and the parking brake engaged. No warning lights came on, and nothing indicated why the car was shutting down. When taken into the dealer after the second incident in as many days, I was told the engine was low or out of oil and shutting down is a safety feature as is engaging the emergency brake in traffic. I wasn't due for an oil change for another month based on Jeep's recommended schedule, but I was forced to do one so they could verify the issue. I was also told the Compass has a new highly efficient engine and these new engines are so efficient they burn/leak oil, and I am to check my oil every 500-1000 miles and always have a quart in the car to top it off. When I asked why there wasn't a dashboard indicator the oil was low I was told the Compass does not have such an indicator. I am concerned for my safety, my family's, as well as other drivers as I do not know when the car will shut down again.

- Porter Corners, NY, USA

problem #171

Jan 102020

Compass

  • 24,104 miles
12-29-19 vehicle stalls while driving. Changed oil as tech states that it is normal for a call to stall while driving if it is under the recommended oil level. 1-7-2020 vehicle stalls at stoplight. 1-9-2020 Jeep changes out ignition switch. 1-10-2020 pu vehicle auto start stop would not engage. Went back to Jeep. Could not recreate the problem. 1-10-2020 auto start stop malfunction. 1-11-2020 went back to Jeep could not recreate the problem bring back in on Monday. 1-13-2020 car turns off by itself while at stoplight. 9:57 auto start stop malfunction red light blinking on dash. 1-17-2020 pu car mileage 24190 stop start unavailable services top start system at 24193. 1-18-2020 car stalls again while driving.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »