Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Jeep Compass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the check engine warning light, the brake warning light, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost motive power. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer several times and the wiring harness, the battery, and the instrument cluster was replaced however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact could not confirm whether he had notified the manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 8,682.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the 4-WD, ABS, Hill Assist, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the differential malfunctioned due to a tightening and then releasing that occurred while attempting to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed and determined that the rear ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and then confirmed that parts were not available nor longer in production. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the parking brake independently activated. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she turned off the vehicle and deactivated the parking brake to continue driving to her destination. The contact's daughter also experienced the failure three times while driving. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
My car lost acceleration on nj Garden state highway driving 65 miles. Luckily I was driving in the right lane as this happened. I quickly flashed my hazards as soon as I noticed, to alert drivers behind me. My car slowly moved onto the side of the highway. My breaks would not fully stop the car. It finally stopped on its own luckily. I stayed on the side of the road for about a few good long mins trying to figure out what to do or WHO to call. I then tried turning on the car again to see if it would start. It turned on and the oil warning blinked for like one second. That was it. Never stayed on like other cars do. Not one warning beforehand. From my experience of owning other cars, if your car is running low on oil, a warning light comes on and stays on until the oil is changed. Not this car, only this one second. …
About two weeks ago got to my destination ok. As I was leaving I tried to start the car and the brake pedal was hard to push. The car would not start but it would turn on. Nothing was left turned on before I started it. I looked at the voltage and it said 12.0. I kept turning on and off and the car would not start just turn on(radio and lights). Finally said maybe a jump would help. I found someone who could jump my car and it finally worked. Voltage went up to 14.2. My battery was changed exactly one year ago by a jeep dealer. Then this week I was driving on a local street and at a red light I stepped on the accelerator to go, the run stop feature stalled my car and shut it down. My breaks went hard, the voltage went down again. I was stuck on the street. I turned my hazards on to notify other cars. My son was in the car with me too. My anxiety level shot up. …
My car stalled as I was about to turn after stopped at a red light. I tried to restart it several times and then I looked down and noticed the emergency brake light was on. I turned it off, tried starting it again and then it seemed fine. Later as I was mid turn going left through an intersection the car partially stalled where I could not finish my acceleration through the intersection ( it was still on but I could not accelerate however I was able to get it to sort of drift to the side of the road where it then stalled completely). Thankfully there were no vehicles headed through the intersection as I was trying to get out of the way. When I looked down the emergency brake light was on again. I did not receive any warning lights prior to this happening. I currently have it in the shop to have the issue looked at but I have had numerous issues with this vehicle since I bought it. …
ABS anti lock break system The first time it happened, I was slowing down at a stop light, and then starting back up the car stalled and would not move It had to be turned off and on in the middle of an intersection A car from behind had to skid and almost crashed into me Another time I was turning onto a major. road and it suddenly stalled once again almost got rear ended This happened a series of times, and was taken into a local mechanic each time, in which case they said it was the wheel sensors and replaced each one Both independent and Jeep dealership reproduced and confirmed the issue No warning lights prior to the first issue. Every time the car was taken into mechanic the warning lights were cleared for @ 30 days Each time the warning lights came on the car would simultaneously stall again
My vehicle shuts off while driving and while vehicle is in "Drive" mode, after my vehicle stopped the "emergency brake" automatically pops on then my car stalls before finally turning back on. This has been ongoing for months. The last incident happened two days ago while I was on a busy road and my car stopped in mid traffic while I was in drive and caused a panic. My engine light came on and I took it to get hooked up by the reader at an auto place and the following codes were displayed "PIDD2" & "U1428" upon checking online and researching the issue I found that my vehicle make, model and year has been recalled for the same issues that I am currently experiencing with my vehicle and the TCM system needing to be reset. Specifically the Chrysler U87 recall.
Two issues to report. Both common and known to happen. Causing safety issues. The 1st. Wheel speed sensors either come loose or disconnected. This turns off AbS , dynamic steering and hill descent. Could be very dangerous is rainy or icy conditions. The 2nd. The Jeep radio unit starts to go out and then dies. Dealers know about the issue but have no idea how to fix other than make the consumer pay for a replacement if out of warranty. When the head unit goes out, the driver looses the ability to use the rear view camera while reversing, could be potentially deadly for kids behind a vehicle. Both issues are widely known on Jeep Compass 2nd generations and above. Just like the engines consume oil, Jeep knows about the wheel speed issue and radio issue.
On around 5 occasions beginning since late 2025 I have been driving and my emergency brake has turned on automatically while driving. Yesterday, while at a stop light the light turned green and my emergency brake turned on which caused traffic to be halted I had to turn my car on and off repeatedly to have my car work. When I turned right at the intersection this happened again. I was able to slowly pull over and once again turn my car off and on. Then it did it again today at the same intersection I was able to slowly pull over and turn my car off and on. I went to the Jeep dealership today and they could not find anything wrong. No codes indicated anything they said I had a small oil leak but that is all they could find.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Brake complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2018 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Jeep Compass, 7% of the model year's 946 complaints. The component named most often is brake fluid low warning › lamp (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Compass brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-523 (caliper, Aug 9, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Compass brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 64% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.