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EnginePart report

2018 Jeep Compass Engine Problems

Complaints
475about this part
Share
50%of 947 total for the year
Median mileage
19,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 475 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Jeep Compass, 50% of the 947 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Making a left turn to enter expressway my vehicle parking brake came on by itself stalled vehicle was able to finish the turn and pulled off to side of road. Week later today pulled up to red light parking brake came on vehicle stalled took a while to restart . I am fearful of getting into an accident. Taking to dealership on tuesday dec.15 2020.”

NHTSA complaint #11383142, filed 2020-12, 35,274 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11306391, filed 2020-01, 22,120 miles

“I was driving my car around for a week with no oil in it, the dummy oil light never came on, my car never told me I needed oil, while this happened it also cause my cars parking brake to engage while I was driving through town. I was not even due for an oil change. The dealership said they couldn't figure out why that had happened.”

NHTSA complaint #11329625, filed 2020-06, 31,915 miles

“On november 14, 2019, my wife drove our 2018 Jeep Compass on a local street, within minutes, the car began slowing down in the middle of the road, came to a complete stop, and then shut off. Before the car shut off, the emergency brake light came on. On the first attempt, the car did not turn back on. On the second attempt, the car turned back on.”

NHTSA complaint #11280182, filed 2019-11, 9,000 miles

“The u connect display panel >GPS/ radio etc. Shuts down by itself while I'm driving the vehicle( in motion) ,the screen goes black for no apparent reason, then restarts itself, also while I'm driving at about 35-40 MPH the engine or motor ( not sure) makes a loud sound like its down shifting on its own, almost like engine braking?”

NHTSA complaint #11373261, filed 2020-11, 20,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025310%
2024815%
2023714%
20223716%
20211822%
20207955%
201916149%
201847550%
20177131%
201613546%
20153027%
20149130%
20131013%
20123620%
20113016%
201057%
2009511%
20081314%
20073714%

Other parts of the 2018 Jeep Compass

Electrical system
379 complaints
Other or unknown
194 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
151 complaints
Brakes
67 complaints
Exterior lighting
64 complaints
Fuel system
64 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
38 complaints
Vehicle speed control
33 complaints
Steering
28 complaints
Suspension
26 complaints
Electronic stability control
25 complaints
Air bags
22 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Jeep Compass

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology