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 DTCs have been set: DTC P1DD2 will be stored in the Transmission Control Module (TCM) however no DTCs will be stored in the PCM. Verify no unrelated codes are stored in the PCM before flashing. If codes are stored in the PCM, normal diagnosis should be performed.B25C9 - Driver Door Ajar Switch 2 Stuck Closed. P061A - Level 2 Torque Performance. P06E9 - Engine Starter Performance(North America Only). C050D - Wh
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Jeep Compass cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Jeep Compass have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 21,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Compass | 26 |
| 2015 Compass | 9 |
| 2016 Compass | 14 |
| 2017 Compass | 7 |
| 2018 Compass (this page) | 14 |
| 2019 Compass | 5 |
2crashes
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Jeep Compass in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control 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.
(Rev. A) Intermittently the vehicle will not crank or start, the RKE, door locks, and remote start will not operate. Multiple U-codes are present
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ESS Stop Start Disabled DTC B25C9 Driver Door Ajar Switch 2 Stuck Closed
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Power Windows, Door Locks, Mirrors, Operate Intermittently, Driver Door Ajar Warning Lamp On, Stop Start Feature Disabled
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report six distinct failure categories on 2018 Compass models with 5k–46k miles, several causing highway emergencies or intersection stalling.
Engine stalling and power loss dominate complaints: vehicles die at traffic lights and intersections without warning, sometimes forcing restart cycles. One owner at 5k miles found the engine burned oil at roughly 1 quart per 5k miles—far faster than expected—and the dealer confirmed this as an unresolved manufacturer defect affecting 2018 models. Another shop found zero oil in the engine despite the owner's diligent maintenance. Owners report simultaneous low-oil-pressure warnings, check-engine lights, and parking-brake alerts that flicker off, offering no clear diagnostic path.
Uncontrolled acceleration occurs without pedal input, with one vehicle reaching 80 mph during a merge and electronic throttle warnings firing. Another owner's plastic gas pedal broke at floor position, forcing a collision. Brakes reportedly fail to slow the vehicle during these events.
Transmission refusal to shift leaves vehicles stuck in first gear or limited to 30 mph, unresponsive even in sport mode. A transmission control module code appeared in one case.
Cruise control failure locked a vehicle at 35 mph and would not disengage, resulting in a tree stump collision.
Dealership diagnostics repeatedly fail: service technicians cannot replicate issues or find fault codes, even when check-engine lights illuminate. One engine replacement did not fix the problems.
Owners report needing oil top-ups every 1,000–1,500 miles on a vehicle with 5,000–25,000 miles.
Same Jeep Compass cruise control reports on nearby years: 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Uncontrolled acceleration / stuck throttle
Accelerator pedal stuck at floor or vehicle accelerates on its own without pedal input, sometimes reaching 80 mph, with electronic throttle control warning and service engine light illuminating.
When: 46,817 miles; under 40k miles in one instance
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal stuck to the floor; Uncontrolled rapid acceleration; Emergency electronic throttle control warning; Service engine and throttle lights illuminate; Brakes ineffective at stopping vehicle; Vehicle accelerates without pedal input when turning
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control warning
Repairs/costs cited: Plastic gas pedal broke in one instance causing collision. Pedal eventually became unstuck on restart.
Cruise control will not deactivate
Cruise control system remains active and will not disengage when driver attempts to turn it off, forcing vehicle to maintain set speed.
When: 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control activates at 35 mph and will not deactivate; Vehicle maintains speed despite driver input; Vehicle crashed into tree stump
Repairs/costs cited: Crash resulted; no injuries reported, no police report taken.
Engine stalling / loss of power while driving
Engine stalls at traffic lights, intersections, or during acceleration, often accompanied by low oil pressure warnings or check engine lights. Requires shutdown and restart to resume operation.
When: 5k–25k miles; as early as 6 months / 5k miles; 21,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies in middle of driving / intersection stall; Unable to accelerate or move; Can only brake; Low oil pressure warning illuminates (disappears after turning); Check engine light flashes then turns off; Parking brake warning light comes on while driving; Dash message reads 'vehicle cannot shift while moving'; Engine will not respond to gas pedal; Loss of power and steering ability at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: Transmission control module code, Crankshaft position sensor suspected (owner research)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports dealer detected excessive oil consumption (~1 quart per 5k miles). Engine replaced at one dealership but failures continued. Another shop found no oil in engine and advised adding oil every 1,000–1,500 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer indicated unresolvable manufacturer issue with engine burning oil more than advertised in 2018 vs. 2016 model. Manufacturer notified in some cases.
Transmission / acceleration malfunction
Transmission will not shift properly out of low gears or respond to acceleration commands, sometimes limiting vehicle to 30 mph or inability to shift despite using sport mode.
When: 20,000–25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate; Feels like governor is engaged; Cannot shift out of first gear; Speed limited to 30 mph despite pedal input; Sport mode does not override restriction; Check engine light illuminates; Vehicle felt like it was pulling back when accelerating
Codes mentioned: Transmission control module code
Repairs/costs cited: Issue resolved after brief cooling period. Engine replaced on one vehicle but transmission issues persisted.
Engine light / limp mode engagement
Check engine light illuminates and vehicle enters limp mode or derate mode, restricting power and speed as a safety measure. Dealership unable to find corresponding fault code.
When: Various miles; 46,817 miles in one instance
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on; Vehicle begins jerking and pulling back; Speed restricted during acceleration; Service engine light illuminates; No replicable issue found at dealership
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (no specific code retrieved)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to replicate issue or find fault code despite light illumination.
High-temperature warning / thermal derate
Engine temperature warning displayed causing vehicle to derate power; coasting briefly cools the displayed temperature and allows normal operation.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: High temperature warning appears on display; Car will stall if accelerating from stop; Requires release of accelerator and coasting 2–3 seconds to recover
Repairs/costs cited: Issue persists; owner uses coasting as workaround.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2018 Jeep Compass?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 20,000 and 25,000 miles, with the median around 21,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 25,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.