2018 Jeep Compass: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
Known weak spot on this generation: 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir2 — oil consumption. 6 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 51% about engine & cooling.
Oil level and consumption history, rough idle / stalling (MultiAir), any engine or short-block replacement on record.
Known problems on the 2018 Jeep Compass
2.4L Tigershark MultiAir2 — oil consumption $1,500–$4,000 to fix
The 2.4L Tigershark burns oil, sometimes severely, and can throw a rod when the level drops — plus MultiAir brick failures causing rough running. A class action was settled.
Check for: Oil level and consumption history, rough idle / stalling (MultiAir), any engine or short-block replacement on record.
Basis: Tigershark oil-consumption class-action settlement; NHTSA complaints
Known patterns for this year and model, not findings about one car. A well-kept example may already have had the fix. Costs are rough US shop prices.
2018 Jeep Compass recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2018 Jeep Compass. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Suspension
If the lower control arm separates, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 18V279000
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.
Fix: Chrysler 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.
- Brakes
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Details 18V523000
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.
Fix: Chrysler 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.
- Electrical
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Details 18V524000
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.
Fix: Chrysler 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.
- Engine & cooling
If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 17V670000
Chrysler (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.
Fix: Chrysler 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.
- Airbags
In 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…
Details 17V732000
Chrysler (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.
Fix: Chrysler 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.
- Electrical
An 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.
Details 17V740000
Chrysler (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."
Fix: Chrysler 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.
2018 Jeep Compass safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Engine: "2.4L Excessive Oil Consumption XB1 Warranty Extension The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Oil pressure low indicator lamp illumination between oil changes.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2018 Jeep Compass safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
941 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Jeep Compass years
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator