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).
While accelerating onto a highway, my vehicle suddenly shut off. I immediately put hazards on, tried to pull to the side, stopped and tried turning the car back on, after 2 attempts it turned back on but I was scared the entire hour long ride home so drove in the slow lane so that I could pull right off the highway if it happened again. I took the vehicle for service and they said it was the hood latch sensor. They replaced it and it worked fine for a month or so then again this happened while driving down the road about 40 MPH, car suddenly shut off. Again another scary experience. Took the car back and they said the actual hood latch needed to be replaced. Pulled out of service center and it happened again, pulled back in to service center and a day later they called and said hood needed realignment. …
I lease my 2018 Jeep Compass. On four occasions the car has stalled and not been able to operate. Two of the stalling has been in traffic while the car was in motion (highway and intersection). Everytime I take the car in for service the dealership can't duplicate the problem. It did stall again at the dealership so I left it again. On all the occasions dealer had a look they said it was a part that needed to be repaired, then a software update. Then saying they left too much cleaner. Just last week I picked up my car from dealership with a full tank. I drove 100 miles miles and the fuel indicator did not move at all. I know when I have a full tank of gas I have a total range of 326 miles. Then the total range number kept fluctuating. At one point it said I had 328 miles left then went down to 200 then back up to 300 all within 6 miles of driving with a 3/4 tank full. …
Tl* 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. …
Consumer bought car in August 2018 (memorial weekend). Upon obtaining the car, consumer noticed that car appeared to attempt to stall when break; however, the engine would kick back in and not stall. Last week (end of November 2018) consumer was driving the car and stopped at an individuals home to pick them up when the car completely shut off with the stop/start system warning light came on. Consumer turned off vehicle and restarted the car; light went off and car ran as normal. Consumer was driving the car today 12/5/2018 when stopped at a red light the car stalled and restarted, putting it into a "power saving mode" where the radio did not work and parking break light came on along with transmission light, and start/ stop light. Upon getting the car to the destination (half a mile) the engine light illuminated. Consumer turned off car and attempted to turn it back on. …
I was driving 44 MPH headed to a red light intersection with 4 lanes of traffic coming the opposite direction when my Jeep shut off I had no steering, no breaks and no engine running. I was moving forward at 44mph unable to control the vehicle and kept hitting the start button. After several attempts the car restarted saying low oil pressure and I was able to steer the car off the road before entering the intersection and getting kiled. Car was towed to dealership d'ambrosio auto group. Oil was checked and I was advised there was no oil in the engine, the vehicle had 3,650 miles on it and it's brand new. Maintenance says oil change at 10K miles. Service mgr. Told me the same exact thing happened to the parts mgr. Sister. I have also been told by 1 other person the same thing happened to her while driving in traffic. Service mgr. …
I took in my vehicle about a month ago to get a fix on a service engine light issue. It seemed to be a problem when I had my ac on and the transmission light and service engine light would turn on. I wouldn't be able to accelerate and it would make a jerking movement when I put my car into drive. I took my vehicle in about a month ago and they said that the problem had been fixed. Well today I get in my car to drive on the highway in the dmv and as I'm leaving the street I live on my car stops with no warning. I let it rest for a few minutes and then turn it on again; it hesitates to turn on making a weird sound then turns on about 10 seconds later. I put it in drive and it starts to drive but then jerks and completely stops. …
Issue is what seems to be with the front suspension and it's alignment. I'm pretty sure there's not anything broken, in fact I'm actually baffled unless it is a possible 'camber' issue/setting. More specific: negative camber, causing both tires to bald on the inside, evenly if that makes sense. (but I'm not going to act like I know my stuff, cause it's not my profession) see attached below...also spoke with service supervisor mentioned (over phone), he says a potential toe out, in which is also on attached sheet. If needed I could send the photos of the tires wear pattern. Car mileage (43K) vehicle does not pull, vehicle was not in motion, & we've only had the vehicle a little over a year. Read about other recalls of same make/year thus reason behind complaint. There in the attachment, looks a little over-emphasized, however, issue is this bad.
Vehicle leased new began to have grumbling, load humming noise coming from transmission at 37mph. Took test drive in another vehicle same noise. Jeep said known issue waiting for update. Took vehicle back to dealer updated transmission and drive line module. Noise still there, if vechile placed in 4x4 or ESC turned off noise will disappear. Noise sounds like it can be driveline or transmission not in right gear. Car is not shifting correctly and RPM goes high. Vehicle has stalled out a few times for no reason car was stationary with foot on brake and the auto start off disabled. Heated steering wheel and seats get extremely hot. Shut down on there own at times for no reason. Poor gas mileage is related to engine, transmission and driveline problems
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.
Engine burning way more oil than it should, the vehicle then will seize and shut down. This can be at any point while driving and gives no warning as to when it will happen. Jeep will not take any responsibility about this hazardous issue in their engines you shouldn't have to check your oil all the time to make sure it won't happen again. The dealership will have you come in for a consumption test and even putting a claim into Jeep corporate, they will not acknowledge how bad of a problem that is. Their needs to be a recall or fix soon or their will be lawsuits unfortunately when something happens.
Traction Control complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2018 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2018 Jeep Compass, 3% of the model year's 946 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Compass traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2018 Jeep Compass, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Compass traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles, and 76% before 25,000 miles.
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.