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2018 Jeep Compass steering problems

28 owner reports2 crashes1 injuries

This is a safety-related system. If you notice symptoms, stop driving and have it inspected.

What owners report

  • “Randomly high temperature warning light comes on dash which causes car to immediately shut off. After a complete stop you are able to restart car. All obvious cooling components fine. This happens often and random putting occupants in serious danger of collision. Has happened on highway and in middle of intersection making a turn. This false warning causing car shutdown happens 5-8 times a month.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 11/19/2025

  • “ABOUT YEARS AGO I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 JEEP COMPASS, WHEN ALL OF A SUDEN THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT CRAZY BLINKING ON AND OFF AND THE RADIO TOO, THEN THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TO HARD, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED UP. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT DAYS LATER THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR A OVER TWO WEEKS THEY SAID CAR WAS FIX TW…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 06/10/2024

  • “CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAR LOST ALL POWER NO ACCELERATION / BRAKING / STEERING THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. NO NO. AS IT WAS HAPPENING”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 03/02/2023

  • “Since taking over ownership in 2020 of a 2018 SUV that currently has only 61,000 miles I've had electrical issues with the auto start/stop warning light coming on/off intermittently. I was told by that make and model dealership that that happens for several reasons and was of no large concern. I've had the 1 electrical recall 'reprogrammed', but then my car wouldn't start on Thanksgiving. Replaced the main battery then took it back to dealership, $180 later was told the steering gear rack needs …”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 12/04/2022

  • “I was sitting at a stop light when the start/stop system fault warning indicator light came on. My vehicle cut off unbeknownst to me. Was unable to drive once the light changed. I had to activate my hazard lights so I could try to restart my vehicle. During the first try the vehicle did not restart it just stalled, however, it restarted during the second try. The start/stop system warning indicator light did not cut off and the light stayed illuminated. at . This was very scary and unsafe becau…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 10/04/2022

  • “This situation started back in April 2022. The steering wheel, ABS, Slip Hill, and other electrical lights came on. April 30th I took my Jeep Compass into the dealership where they said the front right sensor was the cause. The part came-in/installed on May 13,2022. Two months later the same thing is happening. The ABS, Steering wheel, Slip Hill, Check engine lights are all coming back on. I was driving when the Jeep stalled out and I got it to a nearby gas station where it took roughly 5mins to…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 07/26/2022

  • “Dealer had to replace motor cause of oil usage and motor tapping. And know its worse. They even done something to my steering or something plus runs like crud”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 03/12/2022

  • “The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Jeep Compass Latitude. The contacts daughter stated while driving approximately 20 mph when the vehicle pulled to the right without warning, which resulted in hitting a parked vehicle. The air bags were deployed minus the rear driver-side air bag. The contacts daughter sustained some bruising on her legs, chest, and hands but did not seek medical treatment and a police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was awaiting diagnosis. The con…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 12/23/2021 · crash

Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.

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How common are 2018 Jeep Compass steering problems?
28 owners reported steering issues to NHTSA for the 2018 Jeep Compass, 2 involving a crash. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Is there a recall for 2018 Jeep Compass steering problems?
No matching recall is on file. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest.

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