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2018 Jeep Compass: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2018 Jeep Compass has the highest complaint and recall counts of any Compass model year on file[1]. Owners filed 946 complaints, and the engine group has the largest share of them[2][3].
Reported problems
NHTSA has 946 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Jeep Compass[2]. 28 mention a crash[2]. 5 mention a fire[2]. 18 mention injuries[2]. None report a death[2]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car, so the groups below overlap. The counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Component group | Complaints | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Engine[3] | 481 | 20,000 |
| Electrical system[6] | 379 | 21,019 |
| Unknown or other[7] | 194 | 16,225 |
| Power train[8] | 151 | 21,000 |
| Brakes[9] | 67 | 16,500 |
| Exterior lighting[10] | 64 | 200 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[11] | 63 | 18,500 |
| Forward collision avoidance[12] | 38 | 57,000 |
The engine group has the largest number of complaints, followed by the electrical system[3][6]. We also read a small sample of complaint texts in each of four groups. The counts below describe only that sample, not all owners.
- Electrical system. In the sample of complaint texts we read, 10 of 12 describe dashboard, gauge or screen lighting that cannot be dimmed and is too bright at night[6]. 3 of the 12 say the backup camera screen is very bright[6]. One owner says the instrument cluster software update did not fix it[6]. Recall 17V740 below covers the dimming problem[13].
- Engine. In the sample, 5 of 12 texts describe the engine stalling or shutting off, at low speed, at a stop or on the highway[3]. 3 of 12 describe low oil or oil use between changes[3].
- Power train. In the sample, 4 of 12 texts describe shifting trouble, such as hesitation, an unexpected downshift or the car not moving when the driver pressed the pedal[8]. 3 of 12 describe drivetrain noise or vibration[8]. 3 of 12 describe warning lights followed by the car stopping[8].
- Brakes. In the sample, 4 of 12 texts say the brake pedal did not stop the car as expected[9]. 3 of 12 say the parking brake engaged on its own[9]. 2 of 12 describe squeaking or grinding[9]. One of the texts names the rear brake recall below[14].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Compass[1]. Here they are, newest first. Each one lists a free repair at a dealer.
- Powertrain control module (18V524). Dated August 9, 2018[15]. A voltage regulator chip on the module's circuit board may fail. That can make the car stall or fail to start, which raises crash risk. Dealers replace the module for free. Up to 12,779 vehicles are potentially affected, and the recall covers many Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat models, including the 2018 Compass[15].
- Rear brake calipers (18V523). Dated August 9, 2018[14]. The coating on the rear caliper pistons may be too thin, which can let gas pockets form and reduce rear braking. That raises crash risk. Dealers bleed the brake system for free. Up to 154,335 vehicles are potentially affected across several models[14].
- Front lower control arms (18V279). Dated May 1, 2018[16]. The arms may be welded incorrectly and could separate, causing loss of control. Dealers inspect them and replace them if needed, for free. Up to 2,761 Compass vehicles are potentially affected[16].
- Passenger air bag (17V732). Dated November 21, 2017[17]. Mounting nuts for the inflator may be loose inside the module. In a crash, loose nuts could fly out and seriously hurt or kill an occupant. Dealers replace the passenger air bag module for free. Up to 27,210 vehicles are potentially affected[17].
- Instrument cluster brightness (17V740). Dated November 21, 2017[13]. The backlight on the instrument cluster cannot be dimmed, which breaks a federal display rule. A cluster that is too bright can make it harder to see at night. Dealers update the software as needed, for free. Up to 25,823 vehicles from the 2017 and 2018 model years are potentially affected[13].
- Oil pump (17V670). Dated October 24, 2017[18]. Certain cars with the 2.4L engine may have a cracked oil pump housing, which can lead to oil pump failure and an engine stall[18]. Dealers inspect the pump and replace it as needed, for free. Up to 357 vehicles are potentially affected[18].
Our data does not show whether any one car has had this work done.
Fuel economy
EPA lists four versions of the 2018 Compass. All use a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine and regular gas[19][4][20][21].
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| FWD, Automatic 6-spd[19] | 22 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 |
| FWD, Manual 6-spd[4] | 23 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 |
| 4WD (all-wheel drive), Automatic 9-spd[20] | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 |
| 4WD (all-wheel drive), Manual 6-spd[21] | 22 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 |
The front-wheel-drive manual is the best of the four at 26 combined[4]. The other three are at 25 combined[19][20][21]. The fuel cost estimates use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive version 4 stars overall[5]. It gets 4 stars in the frontal test, 5 stars in the side test and 3 stars for rollover[5]. Its rollover risk is 20.6%[5]. The front-wheel-drive version gets the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 20.2%[22].
Engine and size
EPA lists the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine at 180 to 184 hp, depending on version[23]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2018 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 435 | 4 |
| 2008 | 172 | 0 |
| 2009 | 64 | 1 |
| 2010 | 81 | 2 |
| 2011 | 188 | 3 |
| 2012 | 184 | 4 |
| 2013 | 80 | 1 |
| 2014 | 307 | 2 |
| 2015 | 113 | 1 |
| 2016 | 293 | 1 |
| 2017 | 229 | 4 |
| 2018 | 946 | 6 |
| 2019 | 330 | 2 |
| 2020 | 143 | 1 |
| 2021 | 81 | 0 |
| 2022 | 225 | 4 |
| 2023 | 49 | 2 |
| 2024 | 53 | 0 |
| 2025 | 29 | 0 |
| 2026 | 5 | 1 |
NHTSA has data on 20 Compass model years[1]. The 2018 model year has the highest complaint count of all of them at 946[1]. The next highest is 2007 at 435[1]. It also has the highest recall count at 6[1]. Four other years, 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022, have 4 each[1].
The years next to it look quieter. The 2017 model year has 229 complaints and 4 recalls[1]. The 2019 model year has 330 complaints and 2 recalls[1]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, but they are all for the same model, so the comparison is fair as a rough guide.
Should you buy a used 2018 Compass?
Among Compass model years on file, 2018 has the largest complaint and recall counts, so it deserves a careful look[1]. Every recall lists a free dealer remedy, so check that the work on all 6 was done before you buy[15][14][16][17][13][18]. The complaint texts we read point to night-time dash brightness, stalling, shifting and brake themes, but that is a small sample and not a measure of how common they are[6][3][8][9]. The EPA rates the car at 25 or 26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall[19][4][5]. A clean recall history and a test drive would tell you more about one particular car than these totals can.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the common problems with the 2018 Jeep Compass?
- The engine group has the largest number of complaints at 481, then the electrical system at 379[3][6]. In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe dash lighting that is too bright at night, stalling, shifting trouble and brake issues[6][3][8][9].
- How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Compass have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls[1]. They cover the powertrain control module, rear brake calipers, front lower control arms, the passenger air bag, instrument cluster dimming and the oil pump on 2.4L engines[15][14][16][17][13][18].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Jeep Compass?
- EPA combined ratings are 25 mpg for three versions and 26 mpg for the front-wheel-drive manual[19][4][20][21].
- Is 2018 a bad year for the Jeep Compass?
- It has the highest complaint count (946) and recall count (6) of the 20 Compass model years on file, though counts are not adjusted for sales[1].
Facts and sources
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Compass model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA has 946 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Jeep Compass (28 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 18 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 481 complaints name the engine component group (8 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Compass FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 379 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,019). NHTSA vehicle records
- 194 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,225). NHTSA vehicle records
- 151 complaints name the power train component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 67 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 64 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 200). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 17V740, filed November 21, 2017: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V523, filed August 9, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V524, filed August 9, 2018: Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V279, filed May 1, 2018: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V732, filed November 21, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V670, filed October 24, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Compass FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Compass 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Compass 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2018 Jeep Compass with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 180 to 184 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMPASS 4DR SUV FWD: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,183 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMPASS 4DR SUV AWD: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,327 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMPASS 4DR SUV TRAILHAWK 4X4: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,633 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov