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2018 Jeep Compass: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Compass years.
One of the Jeep Compass years to avoid. All Compass years
942 owner complaints, most about engine. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Compass?The 2018 Jeep Compass has 942 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Compass years only. How we score it
Is 2018 a good year for the Compass?
Across the 20 Compass model years we track, complaint volume runs from 46 (2023) to 942 (2018). With 942 complaints, the 2018 Compass sits above the model's median of 172.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2018 Compass
suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Campaign 18V279000Chrysler (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.
electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Campaign 17V740000Chrysler (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."
electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Campaign 18V524000Chrysler (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.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Campaign 18V523000Chrysler (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.
Show 2 more recalls
engine and engine cooling:engine
Campaign 17V670000Chrysler (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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 17V732000Chrysler (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.
What owners say across generations
Owner sentiment is predominantly negative, with widespread criticism focused on poor reliability, subpar build quality, and weak performance.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Compass. See the full Compass owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Compass listings typically run $15,772–$23,763.
Other Compass model years
Compare every Compass year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Compass against its rivals
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