797 of the 1,819 complaints about the Jeep Compass (43.8%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 2.0× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
797Complaints · Engine
43.8%Share of complaints
1.97×vs. all vehicles
72Last 12 months
2.3%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (476, 51% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (3). 72 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 72 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “oil”, “engine”, “shut”, “stalled” and “coolant temperature”. 18 of these reports (2.3%) describe a crash or fire, with 5 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 17V670000 (2017-10-24, model years 2018).
The contact rented a 2025 Jeep Compass. While the contact’s husband was driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a burning odor and an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle.
Engine · 2026-08-13 · ODI 11756714 · Fire
The vehicle caught on fire while sitting in a parking lot. This vehicle had just over 13,000 miles, serviced by jeep dealer, and health reports did not surface any problems. The fire impacted other vehicles around it.
Engine · 2026-06-09 · ODI 11743004 · Fire
There have been multiple instances where the engine has locked up in the middle of me driving (usually at stop lights) where the only fix is to completely shut the car off and on again which has resulted in me almost being in an accident.
Engine · 2026-08-31 · ODI 11761145
On August 25, 2026, my 2018 Jeep Compass equipped with the 2.4L engine became inoperable approximately five months after I purchased it. The vehicle had approximately 68,000 miles.
Engine · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760368
To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding my 2021 Jeep Compass, particularly concerning recurring mechanical, electrical, and safety-related problems that have created serious concerns about the vehicle's reliability and…
Engine · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11759991
I have had this car for a little over a year and it has given me nothing but problems they won’t let me out of my contract. It’s a 2018 Jeep compass and I’ve already had to replace the thermostat.
Engine · 2026-08-19 · ODI 11758044
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Campaign 17V670000 · 2017-10-24 · Model years: 2018
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Jeep Compass?
797 of the 1,819 complaints about the Jeep Compass (43.8%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 2.0× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Jeep Compass model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (476, 51% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (3).
Is there a recall for Jeep Compass Engine problems?
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 17V670000 (2017-10-24, model years 2018).