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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2018 Jeep CompassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 947 owner complaints for the 2018 Jeep Compass. Most complaints involve engine (475) and electrical system (379). The EPA rates it 25–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–26mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Aug 2018
Owner complaints
947
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: front underhood

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Aug 9, 2018NHTSA 18V524000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Aug 9, 2018NHTSA 18V523000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported May 1, 2018NHTSA 18V279000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

947 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine475
  2. Electrical system379
  3. Power train151
  4. Exterior lighting64
  5. Fuel/propulsion system63
  6. Service brakes61
  7. Forward collision avoidance38
  8. Vehicle speed control33
  9. Steering28

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Compass model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007434
2008172
200964
201081
2011188
2012184
201380
2014308
2015113
2016293
2017229
2018947
2019331
2020143
202181
2022225
202349
202453
202529
20265
Crashes reported
28
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
18
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

475 reports7 crashes2 fires
“•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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11771754

Electrical system

379 reports3 crashes3 fires
“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 light. The contact stated that multiple attempts using the key fob were required to start the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system displayed a blank screen due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Electrical systemODI 11771736

Power train

151 reports7 crashes
“My 2018 Jeep Compass, with approximately 107,000 miles, has developed symptoms consistent with the oil pump/oil pressure defects reported in other recalled Jeep Compass vehicles. The vehicle frequently struggles to start, runs rough with noticeable vibration, and has displayed an oil pressure warning light. In addition, the vehicle frequently stalls or suddenly loses power/slows while driving. The stalling and loss of power have created a serious safety concern because they can occur while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash, especially in traffic or at highway speeds. These symptoms have become recurrent and appear to be worsening over time. The vehicle was evaluated by a Jeep dealership. The dealer scanned the vehicle but did not provide a repair for the underlying issue and instead advised us to continue adding coolant as needed. Despite this, the vehicle continues to exhibit the same dangerous symptoms, including the oil pressure warning light and stalling while driving. I am aware that certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles were recalled for oil pump-related defects; however, my vehicle was not included in the recall population. Because my…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11742915
All 2018 Compass problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic 9-spd · Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Compass FWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233226$2,450339
Compass 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550358
Compass 4WD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
223125$2,550355
Compass FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,550350
  • Compass FWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 32 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Jeep Compass SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.2%
Overall
4 / 5
Jeep Compass SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 12443Vehicle 12442
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 Compass questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Compass have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2018 Jeep Compass problems?

Owners filed 947 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (475), electrical system (379), power train (151). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Jeep Compass get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Jeep Compass at 25–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Jeep Compass?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Jeep Compass 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026