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's daughter owns a 2018 Jeep Compass Latitude. The contacts daughter stated while driving approximately 20 mph when the vehicle pulled to the right without warning, which resulted in hitting a parked vehicle. The air bags were deployed minus the rear driver-side air bag. The contacts daughter sustained some bruising on her legs, chest, and hands but did not seek medical treatment and a police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was awaiting diagnosis. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
This situation started back in April 2022. The steering wheel, ABS, Slip Hill, and other electrical lights came on. April 30th I took my Jeep Compass into the dealership where they said the front right sensor was the cause. The part came-in/installed on May 13,2022. Two months later the same thing is happening. The ABS, Steering wheel, Slip Hill, Check engine lights are all coming back on. I was driving when the Jeep stalled out and I got it to a nearby gas station where it took roughly 5mins to get it started again! While driving the Jeep home I noticed it started to smoke, so it has to be towed! The only appoint I can get is a month out! How am I to get around if I have to wait on service, Jeep do something about this issue that has been happening to many of us that Love our Jeeps!
I was sitting at a stop light when the start/stop system fault warning indicator light came on. My vehicle cut off unbeknownst to me. Was unable to drive once the light changed. I had to activate my hazard lights so I could try to restart my vehicle. During the first try the vehicle did not restart it just stalled, however, it restarted during the second try. The start/stop system warning indicator light did not cut off and the light stayed illuminated. at . This was very scary and unsafe because I was at a traffic light at the bottom of an hill and it was raining which could been a high risk for an accident. I immediately called the dealership and scheduled an appointment for service.
Randomly high temperature warning light comes on dash which causes car to immediately shut off. After a complete stop you are able to restart car. All obvious cooling components fine. This happens often and random putting occupants in serious danger of collision. Has happened on highway and in middle of intersection making a turn. This false warning causing car shutdown happens 5-8 times a month.
While driving the engine will shut off completely, I'm unable to press the gas pedal to accelerate the vehicle and have to coast my vehicle to a place in order to shut off the vehicle and start it in order to continue driving.
Since taking over ownership in 2020 of a 2018 SUV that currently has only 61,000 miles I've had electrical issues with the auto start/stop warning light coming on/off intermittently. I was told by that make and model dealership that that happens for several reasons and was of no large concern. I've had the 1 electrical recall 'reprogrammed', but then my car wouldn't start on Thanksgiving. Replaced the main battery then took it back to dealership, $180 later was told the steering gear rack needs replacing. I've heard a clunking sound in the steering for about 2-3 weeks. How with so few miles is that possible? After replacing battery they also said all old codes should've cleared from system and hadn't so they cleared them. I've also noted multiple times that the coolant seems to run on the low side periodically. …
The steering wheel in the Jeep Compass 2018 locks up causing the brakes to not work and as the driver I lost control of the vehicle because the steering didn't have full functionaliy. The vehicle stalls, and brakes don't work properly. There have been time where the car randomly shuts off completely in the middle of a highway after a sharp turn. Loss of power steering compounds the problem by making the vehicle difficult to steer off the roadway or highway and caused a collision. The engine has also randomly shut up, and car has jolted in the past a few times creating a major problem and has happened a few times while driving. There are over 1,000 of complaints on line about this vehicle, make and model. The vehicle keeps moving and loses control leaving the drive unable to have control to stop an accident or drive. …
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. …
While driving my Jeep Compass, the engine will randomly shut down/stall. The last incident occurred while crossing railroad tracks. The engine shuts down due to low engine pressure as a safety feature to prevent damage to the engine (information from the dealership). However, the engine shutting down/stalling is actually creating a hazard. This has occurred on three separate occasions and the vehicle is a 2018 (2 times while on multi lane highways and 1 time whole crossing railroad tracks). The dealer solution is that the oil needs to be checked prior to every operation to ensure it is within operating levels which is completely unacceptable. The dealership also stated that burning 1 quart of oil / 4000 miles is within tolerance for the engine in the vehicle. Also unacceptable. …
This happened three times over the past two weeks. I have been driving my car in heavy traffic and car will throw itself in emergency brake mode and engine will turn off. Loss of steering control is gone as well. Have been extremely lucky to not get in an accident. Dropped car off to dealer who blamed it on "low oil." due to "low oil" levels however car is only 7 months old and just 4K miles. He recommended I change the oil every 750 miles! 750! A standard car is every 5,000 miles. The fact that my oil change could be the determining factor between my engine turning off mid drive and getting in an accident is absurd. While researching there are hundreds of similar cases with the same car. People have gotten in accidents due to the car stalling on highways and intersections. Not safe to drive. Do not recommend. Legitimately scared to drive. Should not be allowed on the road!
Steering complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2018 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Jeep Compass, 3% of the model year's 946 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Compass steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.