Oil burning and stalling
The 2018 Compass has the highest complaint count of any year. Half are about the engine: oil consumption, low oil warnings and stalling at junctions.
Updated November 2026 · based on 949 owner complaints and 6 recalls
554 1.9x the Compass average
6 free to fix at a dealer
Every Compass year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2018 Compass
Top problems and what they cost
Oil consumption
The engine burns oil between changes, leading to low oil warnings and stalling.
Fix: Oil consumption test free; piston rings $3,000 to $5,000 out of warranty
Engine
Engine stalling and shutoff
Stalling at ramps and lights, with many warning lights.
Fix: Battery and software $200 to $400
Electrical
Radio screen failure
The screen goes black, taking the backup camera with it.
Fix: Radio unit $600 to $1,200
Other
Recalls
If the lower control arm separates, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, unsecured inflator mounting nuts outside of the cushion assembly are potential projectiles that may...
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2018 Jeep Compass
- Check the oil level on the dipstick; low oil is a warning sign.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 115 complaints about oil consumption on the 2018 Compass, one of the worst years for it.
- Confirm recalls 17V670, 18V279 and 18V524 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2018 Compass has 6 recalls on record, listed below.
- Check the backup camera works every time.Backup cameras are required safety equipment on newer cars. A camera that flickers or does not come on was the subject of several recalls.
Questions
Is the 2018 Jeep Compass reliable?
Oil burning and stalling. The 2018 Compass has the highest complaint count of any year. Half are about the engine: oil consumption, low oil warnings and stalling at junctions.
How many recalls does the 2018 Jeep Compass have?
6 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2018 Jeep Compass problems?
Oil consumption; Engine stalling and shutoff; Radio screen failure.
Crash rating shown for the 2018 Jeep Compass SUV FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.