2018 Jeep Compass Safety Report

2018 Jeep Compass Safety Report

915Complaints
6Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
28/100Reliability Score
28Crash Reports
5Fire Reports
18Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (181)Electrical System (70)Unknown Or Other (67)Electrical System,Engine (56)Exterior Lighting (32)Electrical System,Unknown Or Other (29)Power Train (27)Power Train,Electrical System,Engine (25)Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine (25)Power Train,Engine (24)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Jeep Compass

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Jeep Compass. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2018 Jeep Compass Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenHigh (6)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsHigh (915)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports33Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubEngineCompare engine issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2021Compare against the 2021 Jeep Compass with 73 complaints and 0 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2019Check the 2019 Jeep Compass before buying across this generation.

Jeep Compass Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Jeep Compass years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Jeep Compass Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2019 Jeep Compass 309 2 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2017 Jeep Compass 224 4 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2020 Jeep Compass 129 1 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2016 Jeep Compass 280 1 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2021 Jeep Compass 73 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2015 Jeep Compass 112 1 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.

2018 Jeep Compass Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Jeep Compass, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Engine

181 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Jeep only

Electrical System

70 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System issues Jeep only

Unknown Or Other

67 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Jeep only

Electrical System,Engine

56 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System,Engine issues Jeep only

Exterior Lighting

32 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Exterior Lighting issues Jeep only

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other

29 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Jeep only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Jeep Compass

The 2018 JEEP COMPASS has accumulated 915 complaints and 6 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Among the complaints, 28 involved crashes and 5 involved fires. There have been 18 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are engine (181 complaints), electrical system (70 complaints), unknown or other (67 complaints). Engine and electrical system issues are common, with recalls for wiring and instrument cluster problems. Service brakes and suspension components have also been recalled. The most frequent issues reported include transmission jerking, malfunctioning touchscreen, and engine stalling. These problems can occur during normal driving and may affect safety. Key known issues to be aware of include Electrical System Issues, Transmission Jerking, Engine Stalling. Be aware of potential electrical and mechanical issues, especially transmission jerking and engine stalling, which can affect safety during normal driving.

Reliability Score

The 2018 Jeep Compass receives a reliability score of 28 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Jeep Compass

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★☆
4/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★☆☆
3/5

Known Issues for the 2018 Jeep Compass

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Jeep Compass:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Electrical System Issues
Recalled for instrument cluster and wiring problems, affecting the vehicle's electrical system.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Transmission Jerking
Transmission jerking aggressively when shifting into gear, affecting driving safety.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Engine Stalling
Engine stalling during normal driving, including at low speeds, can be dangerous.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Suspension Problems
Recalled for front lower control arm issues, affecting vehicle stability.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Jeep Compass:

Transmission 23% of complaints

Transmission jerking aggressively when shifting into gear.

Electrical System 18% of complaints

Issues with instrument cluster and wiring, affecting the vehicle's electrical system.

Engine 15% of complaints

Engine stalling during normal driving, including at low speeds.

Suspension 12% of complaints

Recalled for front lower control arm issues, affecting vehicle stability.

Recall Details for the 2018 Jeep Compass

The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Jeep Compass by NHTSA:

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Campaign #18V524000 09/08/2018

Summary: 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 o...

Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Campaign #18V523000 09/08/2018

Summary: 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.

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Campaign #18V279000 01/05/2018

Summary: 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.

Consequence: If the lower control arm separates, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
Campaign #17V740000 21/11/2017

Summary: 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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Campaign #17V732000 21/11/2017

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Campaign #17V670000 24/10/2017

Summary: 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.

Consequence: If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Chrysler's number for this recall is T65.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Jeep Compass

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Jeep Compass with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting
03/25/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change, the contact was informed that the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate. The contact attempted to replace the light bulb; however, the headlight failed to illuminate. The original light bulb was reinstalled. The contact stated that the START/STOP system failed to restart the vehicle after an idle st...

ODI #11726914
Power Train,Structure,Engine
03/23/2026

failing component: Transmission / Powertrain. The transmission is jerking aggressively when shifting into gear. yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. I currently have the vehicle in my possession. How was safety put at risk? The vehicle jerked violently into gear while accelerating from a stopped position at an intersection. The force was strong enough to physically jolt both the driver a...

ODI #11726255
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper
03/18/2026

Issue occurs in [XXX] during normal daily driving, including while reversing and operating the vehicle at low speeds. The malfunctioning touchscreen interferes with safe vehicle operation in parking areas, residential streets, and regular traffic conditions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11725241
Engine
03/02/2026

Ok I purchased this vehicle on 09/24 three weeks later the coolant gage keep going up to high the car will starts slowing down & sometimes just stop while I’m driving ok this been going on since I got it & the same problem is still happening & it’s been a year & the jeep service seems not able to fix the problem and this is my 50th visit so can someone help me with this matter cause it’s dangerous...

ODI #11721379
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other
02/28/2026

While driving I stopped at a light and an issues occurred where my stop start light appeared on dashboard. The car turned off for a minute and eventually started back up.

ODI #11721097
Air Bags,Engine
02/05/2026

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 r...

ODI #11715823
Unknown Or Other
02/05/2026

Hello my truck is having issues stalling, noise like grinding, rattling, or some kind of clunking sounds especially during acceleration. It jerking movement. My car will shift into neutral by itself and sometimes it won't even shift into gear at all when trying to put it into drive.

ODI #11715790
Engine And Engine Cooling
01/28/2026

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 ...

ODI #11713897
Electrical System
01/27/2026

My car has the start/stop when it turns off when your idle, well sometimes when you release the brake to go it will hesitate to turn back on and or even not start again at all and you have to fully turn the car off and back on.

ODI #11713725
Forward Collision Avoidance
01/23/2026

I was driving up a hill and coming to a light. Another car was asking the turn at the light. I let off the gas to slow the car down and there was no way I was going to hit the car turning. The Automatic Emergency Braking engaged, slamming on the brakes, causing an abrupt stop in traffic. I was almost hit from behind because this system took over my car and did not allow me the driver to co trol...

ODI #11712993
Unknown Or Other,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
01/15/2026

Car starts just fine, I let it warm up, it idles just fine. It is a 6 speed manual, I can reverse out of my driveway and drive 1 block to the stop sign and the car will stall immediately. This has happened more than 10 times in the past month. I have replaced the spark plugs as of yesterday 1/14/2026 and it ran fine all day through busy city and many purposely made stops along my drive and back ho...

ODI #11711304
Engine And Engine Cooling
01/13/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The driver was able to restart the vehicle after several minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed, and the vehicle passed the oil consu...

ODI #11710627
Electrical System
01/07/2026

The vehicle will turn over but does not go into gear. With all emergency systems lighting up. When vehicle was running it would randomly turn off or stall in the middle of the road.

ODI #11709556
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine
01/06/2026

Unknown / Check engine lights came on, and then a warning saying stop safely, the engine will shut down soon, now it will not start. Leaving me stranded. This happened multiple times but now the car won’t start and will need to be towed. I have asked several repair shops and done research online, and nobody knows how to fix this issue.

ODI #11709049
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance
01/06/2026

When coming to a stop at a stop light or stop sign sometimes the car will stall and the automatic stop/start will turn off and put the cars emergency brake on. This is typically in the middle of traffic. I put the car in park and the car won't turn off. I have to take my foot off the brake while it is in park, turn off the car that way. Then to turn it back on, put my foot on the brake and start t...

ODI #11709033
Electrical System,Engine
01/05/2026

When I first purchased my car, for some reason it kept starting, and then the engine would turn off in the middle of driving. As of lately the Key fob has been undetected in the car or battery is low. I have replaced my key fob twice. I have also replaced my batteries in both of the key fobs. After I replace the key fob, the check engine light came on in the car is stalling not starting properly. ...

ODI #11708868
Unknown Or Other,Engine
01/03/2026

Check engine lights came on, and then a warning saying stop safely, the engine will shut down soon, now it will not start. Leaving me stranded. This happened twice, but now the car won’t start and will need to be towed. I have asked several repair shops and done research online, and nobody knows how to fix this issue.

ODI #11708604
Power Train,Electrical System
01/02/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, and while stopped at a traffic light, several unknown warning lights illuminated with the message to “Park the Vehicle” displayed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was running and shifted from park into drive, the vehicle failed to move. The contact stated that while shi...

ODI #11708362
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other
12/18/2025

Warning lamp:"stop safely. vehicle will shut off soon" the car will shut off while driving. The warning is not sufficient enough to ignore that fairly new cars are shutting down on the road for no reason. There are numerous complaints about this same issue and I am wondering what is it going to take for jeep to take accountability and fix this. We should not have to pay for this repair. Resolution...

ODI #11705937
Electrical System,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance
12/15/2025

My car has had an ongoing issue where it doesn’t start and has even stopped while I was driving before and not turned on again. I had the battery changed and still the same issue. My gps is not locating the correct location of my car, also the warnings are wrong (blind spot, etc.) they go off sometimes when there is nothing there. It’s an angojng issue, I only added one incident date but there hav...

ODI #11705047

Showing 20 of 915 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Jeep Compass

Has the 2018 JEEP COMPASS been recalled?

Yes, the 2018 JEEP COMPASS has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2018 JEEP COMPASS have?

The 2018 JEEP COMPASS has 915 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 28 involved crashes. 18 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2018 JEEP COMPASS?

The 2018 JEEP COMPASS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 3/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 JEEP COMPASS?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 JEEP COMPASS involve engine (181 complaints), electrical system (70 complaints), unknown or other (67 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,engine, exterior lighting, electrical system,unknown or other.

How many crash reports does the 2018 JEEP COMPASS have?

There are 28 crash reports associated with the 2018 JEEP COMPASS out of 915 total complaints (3.1% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2018 JEEP COMPASS have?

There are 5 fire reports for the 2018 JEEP COMPASS out of 915 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 JEEP COMPASS?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 JEEP COMPASS.

How many injuries are reported for the 2018 JEEP COMPASS?

18 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 JEEP COMPASS. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2018 JEEP COMPASS?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 JEEP COMPASS is proceed with caution. It has 915 complaints, 6 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2018 JEEP COMPASS?

The components with the most failures on the 2018 JEEP COMPASS are: 1. ENGINE (181 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (70 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (67 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (56 complaints), 5. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (32 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 181 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2018 JEEP COMPASS?

Be aware of potential electrical and mechanical issues, especially transmission jerking and engine stalling, which can affect safety during normal driving. The 2018 JEEP COMPASS has 915 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).

How reliable is the 2018 JEEP COMPASS?

The 2018 JEEP COMPASS receives a reliability score of 28/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 915 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 33 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System Issues and Transmission Jerking.

What are the known issues with the 2018 JEEP COMPASS?

Known issues with the 2018 JEEP COMPASS include: Electrical System Issues, Transmission Jerking, Engine Stalling, Suspension Problems. These are based on patterns found across 915 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

Are there any recalls for the 2018 Jeep Compass?

Yes, there are recalls for electrical system and engine issues, including instrument cluster and wiring problems.

What are the most common issues reported by owners?

Common issues include transmission jerking, malfunctioning touchscreen, and engine stalling.

Can the transmission jerking be dangerous?

Yes, transmission jerking can be dangerous, especially during normal driving and at low speeds.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical and mechanical issues, especially transmission jerking and engine stalling, which can affect safety during normal driving.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Jeep Compass

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Jeep Compass. The data includes 915 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 28 reported crashes, 5 fire incidents, 18 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Jeep Compass an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16