2018 Jeep Compass recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Jeep Compass and 946 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are engine (474), electrical system (379), unknown or other (194). It earned a 4-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 25–26 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of any Compass model year from 2012 to 2025. It has 6 recalls vs. an average of 2.0 per model year.
Recalls 6
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2018 Jeep Compass. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Electrical system · wiring · front underhood
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · disc · caliper
Problem: 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.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
Suspension · front · control arm · lower arm
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles. The front lower control arms may be incorrectly welded, potentially resulting in a control arm separation.
Risk: If the lower control arm separates, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U42.
Electrical system · instrument cluster/panel
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017-2018 Jeep Compass vehicles. The brightness of the backlighting for the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) cannot be adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Risk: An instrument cluster that is too bright, and cannot be dimmed, can reduce the driver's ability to see at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update IPC software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 8, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T70.
Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles. The passenger side air bag assembly may have inflator mounting nuts loose within the module assembly.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, unsecured inflator mounting nuts outside of the cushion assembly are potential projectiles that may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T73.
Engine and engine cooling · engine
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
•Manufacturer: Jeep / Stellantis •Year: 2018 •Model: Jeep Compass •VIN: [XXX] •NHTSA ODI Complaint Number: 11771736 •Date of Formal NHTSA Complaint: October 16, 2026 I am writing to formally escalate a serious and recurring electrical and starting-system malfunction affecting my son's 2018 Jeep Compass, identified above. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMA…
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a service center, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, multiple warning lights illuminated, including the start/stop warning…
Back-up camera (reverse) is inoperable. Camera image is black.
Safety ratings
2018 Jeep Compass SUV FWD
2018 Jeep Compass SUV AWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2018 Jeep Compass.
Compass 4WD
Auto 9-spd · 4 cyl · 2.4 L
Regular
Compass 4WD
Man 6-spd · 4 cyl · 2.4 L
Regular
Compass FWD
Auto 6-spd · 4 cyl · 2.4 L
Regular
Compass FWD
Man 6-spd · 4 cyl · 2.4 L
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Compass have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Jeep Compass, most recently for electrical system · wiring · front underhood (08/09/2018). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Jeep Compass?
Based on 946 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are engine (474), electrical system (379), unknown or other (194).
Is the 2018 Jeep Compass safe?
The 2018 Jeep Compass earned a 4-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2018 a good year for the Jeep Compass?
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of any Compass model year from 2012 to 2025. It has 6 recalls vs. an average of 2.0 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Jeep Compass get?
EPA ratings for the 2018 Jeep Compass range from 25 to 26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2018 Jeep Compass in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: COMPASS, Compass.