Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 that while his wife was merging onto the highway at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his wife stopped depressing the accelerator pedal and the vehicle restarted. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife was able to safely exit the highway however, the vehicle would not accelerate properly and exceeded 30 MPH. The contact's wife drove to an auto parts store and added two quarts of oil to the engine. The vehicle began to operate correctly. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed but no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired and the contact's wife continued to use the vehicle. The failure recurred while the contact's wife was driving approximately 30 MPH. The vehicle stalled and the contact's wife was rear-ended. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the message "Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon" was displayed. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle on several occasions, the messages "Service Engine" and "Stop/Start System Unavailable - Service Stop/Start System" were displayed, and the battery warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving, and the vehicle shut off while depressing the brake pedal to pull to the side of the roadway. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart on several occasions and was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle was still losing motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and was difficult to shift into park(P). The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. However, when the contact shifted into drive(D) the vehicle still lost motive power and almost stalled. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and it was difficult to shift into park(P). The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and called a towing service. The contact was informed by the tow truck operator that the 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the engine was running and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact made several attempts to move the vehicle; however, the steering wheel and the gear shifter were seized. The contact called a neighbor to the scene for assistance, and after several attempts, the vehicle restarted, and the contact drove the vehicle to the residence. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer failed to determine the cause of the check engine warning light being illuminated; however, the contact was informed that the steering rack was loose and needed to be repaired. The steering rack was covered under warranty and was repaired. Recently, upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated the message that "Engine Overheating" was displayed with an audible chime coming from the vehicle. The vehicle stalled and the contact pulled off the roadway. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle restarted with the same message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was like two previous failures where the engine was replaced. The contact stated that the engine replacements were covered under Technical Service Bulletin Number: 09-003-23 (Engine and Engine Cooling). …
On August 25, 2026, my 2018 Jeep Compass equipped with the 2.4L engine became inoperable approximately five months after I purchased it. The vehicle had approximately 68,000 miles. An independent repair shop initially found no fuel pressure and replaced the fuel pump and spark plugs. The vehicle remained mechanically compromised, and testing showed only 99 PSI compression in cylinder 3. The shop recommended engine replacement at an estimated cost of $9,221.49. Jeep confirmed that the vehicle was associated with Customer Satisfaction Notification W20 concerning excessive oil consumption and potential engine stalling, as well as XB1, the 2.4L excessive-oil-consumption warranty extension. Jeep stated that XB1 expired on September 20, 2025. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the main control screen began to malfunction and was independently activating different apps, make phone calls, turn on the heated seats and sudden electrical failures. The contact stated that the low oil level warning light illuminated one and a half month after having an oil change performed. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle decelerated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as needed. The failure persisted. The contact stated while idling at a red light, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle accelerated as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that a month after the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle started to experience several failures. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the coolant temperature gauge rose, and the vehicle experienced reduced power or stalled. The check engine warning light and two other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart at first attempt on some occasions. The contact stated that the failure had also occurred while at a complete stop at the stoplight. The contact stated that the failure nearly caused other vehicles to crash into the vehicle on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where coolant hoses and tubes were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while approaching his driveway, when turning off the headlight and the ignition, he noticed the "Lights On' message was illuminated however, the lights were off. The contact also stated on another occasion, while making a right turn, the vehicle seized. The contact stated while restarting the vehicle, the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure while driving to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where he had an oil change performed but did not have the vehicle diagnosed. The mechanic was not informed about the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V670000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 17V740000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. …
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that intermittently, while driving 60 MPH on the highway uphill, the vehicle suddenly lunged forward and backward. The vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed or released. The contact stated that the engine revved high. The vehicle was stopped and began to shake. The driver was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was restarted, and the malfunction, transmission, and service engine warning lights were illuminated. The message "START/STOP not Available" was displayed. The contact called the local dealer, but there was no answer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was called, but the phone hung up, and the automatic system confirmed there was no recall coverage. The contact attempted to use the website, but there was an error with the submission. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Engine complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2018 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 481 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2018 Jeep Compass, 51% of the model year's 946 complaints. The component named most often is engine › oil/lubrication (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Compass engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-670 (engine, Oct 24, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Compass engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 61% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.