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What 927 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Jeep Compass

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (927)Crash / fire / injury (33)Engine (466)Electrical system (370)Transmission & drivetrain (151)Lights (64)Fuel system (63)Brakes (62)Driver assistance (37)Speed control (32)Steering (28)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (25)

28 of 927 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Nov 19, 2025SteeringElectrical systemEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11700410

Jun 10, 2024SteeringElectrical systemEngine

ABOUT YEARS AGO I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 JEEP COMPASS, WHEN ALL OF A SUDEN THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT CRAZY BLINKING ON AND OFF AND THE RADIO TOO, THEN THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TO HARD, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED UP. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT DAYS LATER THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A OVER TWO WEEKS THEY SAID CAR WAS FIX TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT CAR DID IT AGAIN WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM THEY CHANGE SOME WIRING, BATTERIES AND THE RADIO AND THEY SAID ITS FIX BUT NO. THE CAR KEEP DOING THE SAME THING, OVER AND OVER NO I DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR SPECIALLY IN THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE WHEN IT SHUTS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO MANEUVER AND IS NOT SAFE AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11593449

Mar 2, 2023SteeringBrakesEngine

CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAR LOST ALL POWER NO ACCELERATION / BRAKING / STEERING THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. NO NO. AS IT WAS HAPPENING

NHTSA ODI 11509880

Dec 4, 2022SteeringElectrical systemEngine

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. I've already had warranty replace the washer fluid resevoir next to a hot engine component in 2021. The engine does not appear to cool as it should to me and the placement of hoses and electrical is so tight together this has me wondering if it affects the electronic controls to EVERYTHING. Had I not noticed the steering issue myself, no error or warning messages have displayed on the vehicle. It will not properly calibrate test itself and it is $1800 for this steering part and my warranties have all expired after only 2 years. Multiple electrical components seem to be reported issues as well as steering and engine issues for this year and model. I'm ready to trade it in! I feel the maker needs to re-evaluate this model and make several changes to ensure a safe and reliable vehicle as I do not feel safe to even drive it now even after dealer said I could for now. Problem will worsen, and I have a bad taste in my mouth of this maker now anyhow. I loved my car, now I'm left clueless as to what would be safe and reliable. Service reports and receipts can be uploaded if needed to verify the Dealerships notes and Services performed.

NHTSA ODI 11495980

Oct 4, 2022Steering

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.

NHTSA ODI 11487890

Jul 26, 2022SteeringElectrical system

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!

NHTSA ODI 11475917

Mar 12, 2022SteeringEngine

Dealer had to replace motor cause of oil usage and motor tapping. And know its worse. They even done something to my steering or something plus runs like crud

NHTSA ODI 11456443

Dec 23, 2021SteeringCrash1 injury

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.

NHTSA ODI 11444851

Oct 21, 2021SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11437661

Apr 24, 2021SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

I HAVE A 2018 JEEP COMPASS LATITUDE AND ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HAVE HAD THE CAR STALL AT RED LIGHTS WHEN SHUTTING OFF FROM BRAKING, WHEN RELEASING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME. IN THESE INSTANCES I HAVE HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND THEN POWER IT OFF AND RESTART IT AS THE QUICKEST FIX. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME IN DRIVE THRUS WHILE STOPPING TO PAY AND AT STOP SIGNS, ALL DOING THE SAME THING AFTER BRAKING AND THE AUTOMATIC START/STOP ENGAGING. THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE HAD HAS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD/HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES NOW. IN ONE INSTANCE I WAS GOING 30 MPH AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE POWER STIRRING NO LONGER WOULD WORK, THE SCREEN DISPLAYED A MESSAGE SAYING TO PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND THAT MY VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE STARTED BEFORE IT COULD BE SHIFTED AND THE D SHOWN ON MY DASH WAS BLINKING. WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW I TRIED TO PULL OVER, BUT MY POWER STIRRING WOULDN'T WORK AND I WAS FROCED TO STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ANOTHER TIME I WAS TRUNING A CORNER AT A RED LIGHT AND IN THE PROCESS OF THE TURN GOING AROUND 15 MPH MY CAR DASH SHOWED THE SAME MESSAGE AND PERFORMED THE SAME WAY WITH NO POWER STIRRING. THE THIRD TIME I WAS GOING 55 MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DID THE SAME THING. IN EACH OF THESE INSTANCES I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, PRESSED THE BREAK AND THE START BUTTON AND THE CAR DID NOT START, ON THE SECOND TIME IT DID NOT START AS WELL AND SOUNDED AS IF MY CAR WAS NOT GOING TO START AT ALL AND STALLED LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, WHICH IT CLEARLY WAS NOT. EVENTUALLY THE CAR STARTS AND I COULD THEN SHIFT TO DRIVE AND PROCEED AS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT OKAY THOUGH, AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY CAR IS NOT VERY OLD AND DOES NOT HAVE A LOT OF MILES ON IT AT THE TIMES THESE OCCURED I WAS AT 31,000- 36,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11413656

Jan 16, 2021Steering

WHILE DRIVING 80 DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF, IT THEN SHUT OFF MY POWER STEERING AND STABILITY CONTROL

NHTSA ODI 11388518

Jan 4, 2021SteeringElectrical systemEngine

STOP AT A STOP SIGN. I WENT TO PROCEED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. TOOK ABOUT 2-3 MINS TO GET IT TO RESTART. THE STOP/START INDICATOR DISPLAYED FOR SERVICE ON THE SCREEN AND A YELLOW LIGHT WITH AN A POPPED ON AND THEN WENT OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11386407

Dec 12, 2020SteeringBrakesEngine

MAKING A LEFT TURN TO ENTER EXPRESSWAY MY VEHICLE PARKING BRAKE CAME ON BY ITSELF STALLED VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO FINISH THE TURN AND PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD. WEEK LATER TODAY PULLED UP TO RED LIGHT PARKING BRAKE CAME ON VEHICLE STALLED TOOK A WHILE TO RESTART . I AM FEARFUL OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. TAKING TO DEALERSHIP ON TUESDAY DEC.15 2020.

NHTSA ODI 11383142

Jul 29, 2020SteeringSuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

NHTSA ODI 11342129

Apr 22, 2020SteeringEngine

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. I'M JUST LUCKY I WASN'T TRANSPORTING CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE DURING ANY OF THE INCIDENTS (PART OF MY JOB TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN USING MY PERSONAL VEHICLE). CURRENTLY JEEP PROVIDES NO REMEDY FOR THE ISSUE OTHER THAN TO CONSTANTLY CHECK THE OIL. MY CONCERN IS WHAT WILL THEIR RESPONSE BE WHEN SOMEONE STALLS ON A RAILROAD TRACK WITH AN ONCOMING TRAIN?

NHTSA ODI 11321901

Mar 13, 2020SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THEN DROVE TO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP OF PARAMUS LOCATED AT 315 NJ-4, PARAMUS, NJ 07652, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED MAINTENANCE SERVICE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,062.

NHTSA ODI 11317907

Jan 2, 2020SteeringBrakesEngine

1) THE JEEP COMPASS WAS TRAVELING IN MOTION ON A FARM TO MARKET ROAD AND STALLED. IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. NO STEERING, NO BRAKING. COMPLETE FAILURE. NO WAY TO SIGNAL OR LET OTHERS TRAVELING DOWN THE SAME HIGHWAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STALLED. 2) THE HOOD HAS POPPED OPEN WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY. 3) ALL THE ALARMS IN THE VEHICLE HAVE GONE OFF WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. 4) THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND ALARM HAS GONE OFF WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. 5) SETTINGS, SUCH AS PARK BRAKE AND RADIO, HAVE CHANGED INDISCRIMINATELY. **BY FAR, THE MOST SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM IS THE VEHICLE STALLING WHEN IN MOTION. THEN, IT WAS HARD TO RESTART, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD!!**

NHTSA ODI 11296693

Nov 15, 2019SteeringSpeed controlEngine

CAR STALLS RANDOMLY IF OIL IS LOW ... ON HIGHWAYS, AT INTERSECTIONS, WHILE TURNING OR AT STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN VEHICLE ONLY HAD 3000 MILES. BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR THIS VEHICLE. THEY SAID THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL QUICKLY AND WHEN IT IS LOW IT STALLS. THIS WAS A 17 BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS BEFORE WE FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11280348

Oct 27, 2019SteeringElectrical systemEngine

SAME ISSUE 2X NOW AND FEEL MY LIFE AND OTHERS ARE JEOPARDIZED. WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY COMING TO A RED LIGHT SLOWING DOWN FOR THE LIGHT TO THEN TURN GREEN WHILE PUSHING THE GAS THE CAR STALLED, SHUT DOWN AND EMERGENCY BRAKE TURNED ON, NOTHING WOULD WORK. I COULD NOT DISENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO EVEN MOVE THE CAR OFF THE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS NEARLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THE FIRST INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE. I SAID SO WHILE I'M DRIVING, GETTING ON A HIGHWAY 1.5 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING MY HOME MY CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN? THE ANSWER WAS YES! UNACCEPTABLE!! HOW ABOUT THE CAR NOT TURNING ON DUE TO LOW OIL OR THINGS OF SUCH INSTEAD OF THE CAR TURNING ON AND ALLOWING YOU TO DRIVE ENOUGH TO GET UP TO 50 MPH THEN JUST SHUTTING DOWN. AGAIN TODAY AND CAR IS BEING TOWED TO DEALER. I HAVE UCONNECT AND RECEIVE EMAILS OF MY CAR DIAGNOSTICS. ONLY 3 DAYS AGO IT SENT A "SUGGESTED" OIL CHANGE. UNDERSTAND THAT UCONNECT HAS AN "IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED" ALERT. IF THE CAR SHUTS DOWN I WOULD ASSUME THIS SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE ACTION NOT A SUGGESTION. THERE IS NO OIL INDICATOR ON MY DASHBOARD. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND CONCERN AND MUST BE IMMEDIATELY. I WILL BE REACHING OUT TO ANY AND ALL NEWS STATIONS THAT WILL HEAR MY STORY AND READ THE HUNDREDS REPORTED IF LEGITIMATE ACTION IS NOT TAKEN SPECIFIC TO THIS LIFE SAFTEY ISSUE! I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN 2017 AND AN AIRBAG BLEW MY LEFT EYE APART AND HAS LEFT ME BLINDED IN ONE EYE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TO MAKE ME FEEL SAFE DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT ALERT FUNCTION. I NOW HAVE TO BE CONCERNED THAT I MAY JEOPARDIZED THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS OVER AN OIL CHANGE?! I HOPE THIS REACHES THE RIGHT SOURCE AND I HOPE THEY READ THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER REPORTS THAT ARE EXACTLY THE SAME OR JEEP WILL BE ON THE NEWS AND ALL THOSE THAT TURNED A CHEEK. *DT *DT CONSUMER STATED HER FIANC STOPPED AT THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND AGAIN THEY ARE STATING THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE OIL IS LOW.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11271367

Sep 24, 2019SteeringEngineFuel system

NARRATIVE: IN AUGUST 2019, I WAS DRIVING FROM MY HOME TOWARD THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN MY 2018 JEEP COMPASS LOST POWER. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHIFTED INTO PARK. (LUCKILY, I HAD NOT REACHED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS NOT IN DANGER OF BEING REAR-ENDED DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION!) I NOTICED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD ENGAGED AND I COULD NOT RELEASE IT. THE LOW OIL LIGHT THEN FLASHED ON. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE D BUTTON WAS FLASHING, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN GEAR. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON TWICE MORE UNTIL IT FINALLY ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. I ATTEMPTED A K-TURN IN A DRIVEWAY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOME, WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN, THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE LOW OIL LIGHT REAPPEARED. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND ON AND AGAIN I COULDN'T MOVE. I WAITED FOR 5 MINUTES AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE AND SHIFT INTO REVERSE. I SHIFTED TO DRIVE AFTER EXITING THE DRIVEWAY AND AFTER DRIVING 1/8 OF A MILE THE POWER FAILED AGAIN. AFTER WAITING ANOTHER FEW MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME TO PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ASKED MY HUSBAND TO CHECK THE OIL. THE OIL RESERVOIR WAS PRACTICALLY EMPTY! WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD TO PUT SOME OIL IN IT AND DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. COMMENTS: THIS OCCURRENCE PUT ME IN A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION THAT CAUSED ME GREAT ANXIETY. I HATE TO THINK WHAT COULD'VE HAPPENED ON OUR VERY BUSY HIGHWAY THAT I TRAVEL ON FOR MANY MILES DAILY. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO GIVE THE DRIVER A WARNING BEFORE THE OIL LEVEL IS SO LOW IT STOPS THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC! I HAVE READ MANY TESTIMONIALS FROM OTHER JEEP COMPASS OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS JEEP WITH MY FAMILY!

NHTSA ODI 11257662

Sep 14, 2019SteeringBrakesCrash

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.*DT CONSUMER STATED I DON'T REMEMBER IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, THE EARLIEST I RECOLLECT IS WHEN I WAS BETWEEN 4,000-7,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIE, DEALERSHIP TOLD CONTACT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE CAR TO DO THAT SOMETIMES.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11255461

Jul 4, 2019Steering

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD A BOLT FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN AND DROPPED ON MY FOOT. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. YOU CAN HEAR A POPPING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL LIFTS UPWARD.

NHTSA ODI 11229452

Jun 18, 2019SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT 55 MPH ON A PARKWAY, THE MIDDLE DASHBOARD BEGAN RANDOMLY DISPLAYING 'SERVICE NOW' AND 'SERVICE' NEEDED MESSAGES FOR THE HILL-ASSIST AND AUTO-START FEATURES. IT CONTINUED FLASHING OTHER MESSAGES THAT I COULD NOT READ BECAUSE AT THE SAME TIME, MY STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. IT WOULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. I HAD TROUBLE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE BECAUSE, AS MENTIONED, I WAS MOVING QUICKLY ON A PARKWAY WITH OTHER CARS AROUND AND AN INABILITY TO CONTROL OR EASILY SLOW DOWN MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11221033

Jun 18, 2019SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

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!

NHTSA ODI 11221045

Jun 13, 2019SteeringEngineFuel system

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS ON A BUSY STREET THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AUTONOMOUSLY SHUT DOWN ALMOST CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC MULTI CAR COLLISION. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. STILL AWAITING CORRECT DIAGNOSIS FROM DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11219667

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Working with the data? Download all 927 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Jeep Compass verdict →