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. Excessive oil consumption. This bulletin involves performing an oil consumption verification test and possibly replacing the long block.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Jeep Compass brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Jeep Compass have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 13,500 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Compass | 7 |
| 2016 Compass | 3 |
| 2017 Compass | 9 |
| 2018 Compass (this page) | 22 |
| 2019 Compass | 12 |
| 2020 Compass | 3 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Jeep Compass we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 22.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Decreased Remote Start And RKE Range. Tire Pressure Sensors Values Are Not Displayed
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: P16A2 - ETC Motor Self-Learning (Limp Home Position). P023E - Turbocharger Pressure And Manifold Pressure Plausibility (Signal Rate Of Change Below Threshold)Euro Stage 6D Emissions (Sales Code NBD). Customer may also experience the following:Engine hesitation/surge feeling between 40 - 80 kph (25 - 50 mph) on acceleration but is not felt between 3500 - 4000 rpm.(
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Replacement of Front and Rear Wheel Speed Sensors Due to Oxidation or Water Intrusion Setting Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) This bulletin involves replacing all four wheel speed sensors due to oxidation or water intrusion into the sensor. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).B1 vehicles may have the following DTCs:C0031-01 - Left front speed sensor - General electrical failure. C0031-29 - Left front speed sensor - Invalid signal. C0034-01 - Right front speed sensor - General electrical failure. C0034-29 - Right front speed sensor - Invalid sig
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗A/C Pressure Transducer A/C inoperative and diagnosis leads to pressure transducer. Call Steve Rice at cell (248) 867-0061 before replacing the pressure transducer. If no response in 15 minutes, please proceed with repair.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Twenty-two complaints describe brake failures ranging from dangerous to catastrophic. The dominant issue is the parking brake engaging without warning during normal driving—at traffic lights, mid-turn, on highways, or while accelerating from stops. The vehicle stalls when this happens, sometimes at high speed. Owners say this occurs at 34k to 50k miles, often escalating from once a month to multiple times per week. Dealers tell owners the problem is low oil or cannot replicate the fault at all.
A separate subset reports complete brake failure: one owner at 45 mph depressed the pedal and got nothing, resulting in a collision. Another at 10 mph couldn't stop and had to use the parking brake. One vehicle stalled repeatedly with check engine and brake warning lights despite wiring harness, battery, and instrument cluster replacement.
Additional complaints cover warped rotors with pulsation and vibration (especially after storage), grinding noise, excessive hardness on the first brake application of the day, and one incident of abrupt braking during cruise control that dropped from 73 to 45 mph in seconds.
One owner reported wheel speed sensors coming loose or disconnecting, disabling ABS and stability control—acknowledged by dealers as a known issue. Dealership responses are inconsistent: some refuse warranty work, demand diagnostic fees on leased vehicles, or cannot diagnose the problem despite multiple visits.
Same Jeep Compass brakes reports on nearby years: 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Parking brake self-activation and stalling
Parking brake engages on its own during normal driving or at stops, causing the vehicle to stall. Occurs at low speeds (5-50 mph) while braking, accelerating from stops, or mid-turn. Takes 5-10 minutes to disengage and restart the vehicle. Dealers cannot duplicate the issue and some attribute it to low oil.
When: 34k–50k miles; recurring after 4-5 months of ownership; frequency increasing (once per month to multiple times per week)
Symptoms owners cite: parking brake activates without driver input; vehicle stalls during activation; transmission warning light; check engine light; takes 5–10 minutes to reset and restart
Codes mentioned: P0605 (inferred from transmission warning mentioned in one narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate issue; no repair completed. One dealer blamed low oil level, though issue persisted after oil service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner filed complaint with Jeep; awaiting response. Dealer advised to bring back if issue recurs.
Complete brake failure at moderate speed
Brake pedal fails to engage entirely when depressed at highway speeds (40–45 mph). Vehicle unable to stop and involved in collision. Incident involved vehicle subject to NHTSA recall 18V523000 (hydraulic service brakes) but owner never received notification.
When: 2 miles
Symptoms owners cite: brake pedal depressed with no engagement; loss of braking at 45 mph; crash occurred; airbags did not deploy; white substance entered cabin during crash
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to residence; dealer refused inspection of collision damage. Vehicle taken to second dealer and held over one month awaiting manufacturer diagnosis. No repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer responded that a technician would be sent to inspect and diagnose; inspection did not occur. Vehicle subject to NHTSA recall 18V523000 but owner never notified.
Warped rotors with pulsation and vibration
After 4–5 weeks of non-use (COVID shutdown), severe brake pulsation in steering wheel and vibration during braking developed. Dealer diagnosed warped rotors but refused warranty repair. Vehicle remained undrivable for months during lease.
When: 10,870 miles; manifested after vehicle sat unused for 4–5 weeks
Symptoms owners cite: pulsating sensation in steering wheel when braking; dangerous vibration during braking; vehicle unable to drive safely
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed warped rotors; refused warranty repair. Dealership demanded $65 inspection fee before service. No repair completed after months of dispute.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep customer care arranged second dealership appointment, but dealership refused work without paid inspection fee. No resolution from FCA customer care.
Hard brake application on first stop of day
First brake application of the day applies extremely hard, with enough force to throw an unbelted occupant toward the windshield. After 10 minutes of driving, brakes function normally. Issue worsening over time.
When: Recurring from early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: excessive brake force on first stop only; normal brake function after initial application; condition worsening over time
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle at dealer for two weeks with no corrective action taken.
Brake grinding noise and pulsation
Brake grinding, pulsation, and shaking during braking reported at low mileage and throughout vehicle life. One owner noted rear wheel grinding noise as known issue; dealer replaced all four rotor shields at first service.
When: Low mileage (12k miles and earlier); recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: grinding noise during braking; pulsation and shaking in vehicle during braking; rear wheel grinding noise
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer replaced all four rotor shields as known issue fix. Other cases unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer noted rear wheel grinding as known issue.
Unintended brake application during cruise control
Vehicle abruptly brakes on its own while cruise control is engaged on highway at 73 mph, dropping speed to 45 mph in seconds with enough force to lock seat belt. Vehicle can be driven normally after restart.
When: Highway driving at cruise control
Symptoms owners cite: sudden braking without driver input; rapid deceleration from 73 to 45 mph; seat belt locks from hard braking
Wheel speed sensor disconnection or looseness
Wheel speed sensors come loose or disconnect on their own, disabling ABS, dynamic steering control, and hill descent control. Owner reports this as a known and widespread issue on 2nd-generation Compass and above.
When: Unspecified; reported as common occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light or warning; loss of ABS function; loss of dynamic steering control; loss of hill descent control
Codes mentioned: ABS-related codes (inferred from system disabling)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer acknowledges as known issue; repair method not detailed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer aware of issue but lacks repair protocol.
Stalling with multiple warning lights during operation
Check engine, brake warning, and other unknown warning lights illuminate while driving 40–50 mph. Vehicle inadvertently stalls and loses motive power. Failure recurs despite multiple dealer visits, wiring harness replacement, battery replacement, and instrument cluster replacement.
When: 8,682 miles
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light; brake warning light; other unknown warning lights; unintended stalling; loss of motive power; recurrence after multiple part replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced wiring harness, battery, and instrument cluster; issue persisted and remained unresolved.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 Jeep Compass?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2018 Jeep Compass?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 8,682 and 34,000 miles, with the median around 13,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,682; a quarter make it past 34,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Jeep/Compass.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.