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2018 Jeep Compass

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
52 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns6
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA937
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA26 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Jeep Compass is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Compass FWD, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 937 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Compass FWDGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl233226$2,400
Compass 4WDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl223025$2,500
Compass 4WDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl223125$2,500
Compass FWDGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl223125$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38895, 38897, 38898, 38894.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Jeep Compass is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

U86
154,335 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V523000reported Aug 9, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Electrical System

U87
12,779 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V524000reported Aug 9, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Suspension

U42
2,761 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskIf the lower control arm separates, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V279000reported May 1, 2018Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Electrical System

T70
25,823 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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."RiskAn 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.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V740000reported Nov 21, 2017Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Air Bags

T73
27,210 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskIn 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.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V732000reported Nov 21, 2017Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

T65
357 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskIf the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V670000reported Oct 24, 2017Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
937complaints filed

28 involved a crash · 5 a fire · 18 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 25 · 2018: 74 · 2019: 185 · 2020: 137 · 2021: 98 · 2022: 116 · 2023: 119 · 2024: 82 · 2025: 61 · 2026: 40

Most-cited components

Engine470
Electrical System375
Unspecified193
Power Train151
Exterior Lighting64
Fuel/Propulsion System63

What owners describe

“My vehicle has nearly killed my entire family multiple times now, stalling out on the highway going 75 miles an hour, shutting off because I turned a corner, rarely starting and having to buy a jump box because my vehicle doesn't want to start due to have a bad PCM according to U87 recall that my VIN isn't included in.…”Aug 23, 2021 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, while driving around corners the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to start on several occasions. The contact purchased a jump box. The shift lever in park, emergency brake, auto start, and traction …”Aug 23, 2021 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“In April my vehicle started stalling when I would turn the corner. Then it died when my son and I were going down the highway at full speed. It just stopped running I had no power to move anymore. Then it would not sure off so I could start it again, now it is hit or miss if it will start I had to buy a jump box so I c…”Aug 21, 2021 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆21%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆20%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Compass model years

A

2026 Jeep Compass

1 recalls · 3 complaints

A

2025 Jeep Compass

0 recalls · 25 complaints

A

2024 Jeep Compass

0 recalls · 52 complaints

B

2023 Jeep Compass

2 recalls · 45 complaints

C

2022 Jeep Compass

4 recalls · 220 complaints

A

2021 Jeep Compass

0 recalls · 79 complaints

A

2020 Jeep Compass

1 recalls · 138 complaints

B

2019 Jeep Compass

2 recalls · 327 complaints

D

2017 Jeep Compass

4 recalls · 228 complaints

A

2016 Jeep Compass

1 recalls · 293 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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