About this problem
Every engine burns a little oil, but some designs burn a quart every 1,000 miles or less. The usual cause is piston rings that stick or wear, letting oil slip into the combustion chamber. If the owner does not top up between changes, the oil level drops low enough to damage the engine. Carmakers have issued bulletins and, in some cases, extended warranties for this.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Jeep Compass since 2012, 137 (4.5%) describe oil consumption, the second most reported problem we track on the Compass. The reports cluster on the 2017, 2018 and 2019 model years, and the 2018 drew the most, with 115. It tends to show up early in the car's life: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 5,000 and 30,000 miles. 2 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Jeep has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners of 2017 to 2019 Compasses with the 2.4-liter engine report the engine burning oil between changes, low oil warnings and stalling when the oil gets low. The 2018 drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
Jeep dealers run an oil consumption test, and some engines get new piston rings or a replacement under warranty.
Typical cost: Ring repair or a replacement engine costs $3,000 to $6,000 out of warranty.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Engine has excessive oil consumption which causes the vehicle to just stall out. Recommended 5000 oil changes but dealers will say 3000 and to check oil every 2 days because it may need 4-5 qts between oil changes."
2017 Jeep Compass, 350 miles
"Car stalled going down the freeway without warning, taken to dealership and was told low on oil, oil changed and no word of oil consumption problem, asked and got an oil consumption test at dealer to which they said 1 quart per 2000 miles is normal."
2018 Jeep Compass, 20,024 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Jeep has sent dealers 24 bulletins that mention this problem on the Compass. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
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.
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software.
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
2.4L Engine Oil Consumption Test This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test.
2.4L Engine Oil Consumption Test The customer may comment that the vehicles engine oil level is low or they need to add oil between oil change intervals and no visible signs of oil leaking from the engine.
NOTE: S18 originally published in July.
Before you buy a Compass
- Check the oil level on the dipstick before the test drive.
- Ask for oil change records and any oil consumption test results.
- Look for blue smoke at start-up.
Questions
Which Jeep Compass years have oil consumption?
Complaints are highest for the 2017, 2018, 2019 model years. The 2018 drew the most, with 115 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 15,000 miles, and half reported it between 5,000 and 30,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Ring repair or a replacement engine costs $3,000 to $6,000 out of warranty.