Jeep Compass brake problems, 2016–2026
152 of the 2,366 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Compass 2016–2026 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2018 (62), 2019 (38), 2017 (29). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Jeep Compass brake problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 40% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 3 | 12% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 5 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 6 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 7 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 38 | 12% | 12k | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 62 | 7% | 20k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 | 29 | 13% | 30k | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2018: 13 · 2019: 31 · 2020: 22 · 2021: 15 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 14 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 15 · 2026: 14
Across the model years, half of the 76 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 8,000 and 37,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
After starting car and driving for 2 minutes emergency break engages and car shuts off while in motion, upon turning off the car and restarting while turning right the low pressure sensor appears then disappears and service engine warning comes on car completely shuts off while in motion with no warning after the alarm disappears off…
Upon first stop of day-only on first stop, the brakes stop vehicle extremely hard, if not wearing seat belt-you would impact windshield. After traveling for 10min brakes work correctly, this has been getting worse - vehicle is at dealer now and has been for two weeks-with no corrective action yet
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while braking for a red traffic light, the parking brake activated independently. While attempting to accelerate from a stopped position, the brakes locked up and the vehicle would not move.
The vehicle wont start occasionally. You can press the ignition, and it says its on, but the engine doesnt turn over. I have noticed it happens more often if you 3ngage the parking brake while your foot is on the brake peddle.
When making left or right turns, it goes into 4WD. Doesn't matter if you're on the roadway or turning into a parking spot or even backing up. Feels like something grabbing in either the front or back can't really tell. Makes grinding noise.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V523000 HighAug 9, 2018 · 154,335 vehicles
- 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.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 17, 2026
- Customer Can Not Make Changes to Pedestrian Emergency Braking (PEB) Setting in Radio.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Jeep Compass
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Jeep Compass problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Jeep Compass years have the most brake complaints?
2018, 62; 2019, 38; 2017, 29. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (40%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Jeep Compass?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 18V523000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Jeep Compass?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 21,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 8,000 and 37,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.