2018 Jeep Compass
Common Problems
Ranked from 444 federal NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
27 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine stalling during driving
136complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine unexpectedly shuts off while driving, requiring multiple attempts to restart.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 17V670000
- 2
Engine oil pressure issues leading to engine stalling
131complaintsHigh severityEngineLow oil pressure causes the engine to stall or shut off unexpectedly, often without warning.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 17V670000
- 3
Electrical system failures leading to random shutdowns
113complaintsSafety riskElectricalRandom electrical system failures cause the vehicle to shut off unexpectedly while driving.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 4
Engine Stall During Driving
105complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine unexpectedly stalls during driving, often accompanied by the start/stop system warning light.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 17V670000
- 5
Vehicle randomly shuts down while driving
93complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe vehicle suddenly stops running while driving, often without warning lights.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 6
Instrument Cluster and Dashboard Brightness Issues
24complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe instrument cluster and dashboard lights do not dim properly at night, causing glare and difficulty seeing the road.
$300–$1,000est. instrument cluster repair/replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 7
Inability to Dim Instrument Cluster
11complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe instrument cluster cannot be dimmed, causing excessive brightness and glare during nighttime driving.
$300–$1,000est. instrument cluster repair/replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 8
Headlight Malfunction
8complaintsLow severityOtherHeadlights intermittently turn off or do not work properly.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Touchscreen Delamination and Malfunction
7complaintsSafety riskElectricalTouchscreen delaminates and malfunctions, causing random activation of features and loss of visibility.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 10
Automatic Emergency Brakes
5complaintsHigh severityOtherAutomatic emergency brakes engage unexpectedly, causing sudden stops and potential accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Engine Stalling During Cold Weather
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stutters, stalls, and shuts down during cold weather while attempting to move from a stationary position.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 17V670000
- 12
Oil Consumption Issues
5complaintsMedium severityFuel systemExcessive oil consumption leading to frequent oil changes and potential engine damage.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Dashboard Warning Lights Indicating Severe Issues
4complaintsMedium severityElectricalMultiple warning lights appear on the dashboard, indicating severe underlying issues with the vehicle's systems.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 14
Electrical System Glitches
4complaintsLow severityElectricalScreen glitches and malfunctions affecting backup camera and navigation systems.
Related recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 15
Random Engine Stalls and Unexplained Shutdowns
4complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine randomly stalls and shuts down while driving, leaving the vehicle unresponsive and potentially unsafe.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 17V670000
- 16
Braking System Failure Causing Loss of Control
3complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe braking system fails, causing the vehicle to lose control and potentially crash.
Related recall: 18V523000
- 17
Coolant Temperature Warning Leading to Stalling
3complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe coolant temperature warning light illuminates, leading to engine stalling and reduced power.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Emergency Brake Engage Issues
3complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe emergency brake engages randomly, causing the vehicle to slow down or stop unexpectedly.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V523000
- 19
Backup Camera Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe backup camera intermittently fails to work, posing a safety risk during reverse maneuvers.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 20
Dashboard Malfunctions and Limp Mode
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe dashboard frequently displays errors and enters limp mode, affecting the vehicle's performance and safety.
Related recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 21
Engine Overheating
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine frequently overheats, leading to potential engine damage and safety risks.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 17V670000
- 22
Engine Stalling During Gear Shifts
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls during gear shifts, especially at higher speeds, causing sudden drops in RPM.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 17V670000
- 23
Instrument Panel and Console Light Sensor Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe light sensor controlling interior lighting malfunctions, keeping all lights at full brightness, especially at night.
$300–$1,000est. instrument cluster repair/replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 24
Intermittent Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) On
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe malfunction indicator light (MIL) turns on intermittently, indicating potential electrical system issues.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 17V740000, 18V524000
- 25
Severe Oil Consumption
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to frequent oil changes and potential engine failure.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Steering Issues During Deceleration
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering becomes unresponsive or jolts during deceleration, potentially causing loss of control.
- 27
Unintended Acceleration While Releasing the Brake Pedal
2complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe vehicle accelerates unintentionally when the brake pedal is released, leading to loss of control.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V523000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.