YearToAvoid

2018 Jeep Compass Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 90 brake complaints for the 2018 Jeep Compass, 10% of its 942 total complaints that year, including 5 crashes and 2 injuries. A related recall (18V523000) covers insufficient brake fluid in rear calipers on some 2018-2019 units.

Brakes complaints
90
10% of 942
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
13,806 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal fails to engage or provide stopping power at low speeds, sometimes causing a crash.
  • Parking brake unexpectedly self-engages while driving or coming to a stop, abruptly halting the vehicle.
  • Loss of braking accompanied by stalling, power steering loss, or multiple warning lights (hill assist, ESC, engine).
  • Rear brakes produce loud grinding or squeaking noise, with dealers replacing rotor shields on some vehicles.
  • Brake system failures reported at very low mileage, with median mileage at failure of 13,806 miles.

When 2018 Jeep Compass brake complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 15, 2018, latest May 16, 2026.

2018 Jeep Compass brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter102018 Q12019 Q12020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q32024 Q4
90 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q2 (10).

Brakes recalls for the 2018 Jeep Compass

  1. NHTSA 18V523000Aug 9, 2018Brakes154,335 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

    Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.

Brakes complaints by Compass model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20105 (7%)
  2. 201116 (9%)
  3. 20127 (4%)
  4. 20139 (11%)
  5. 201436 (12%)
  6. 201512 (11%)
  7. 201625 (9%)
  8. 201740 (17%)
  9. 201890 (10%)
  10. 201949 (15%)
  11. 20207 (5%)
  12. 20216 (8%)
  13. 202211 (5%)
  14. 20235 (11%)
  15. 20245 (10%)
  16. 20253 (12%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2018 Jeep Compass have?
NHTSA lists 90 brake-related complaints for the 2018 Jeep Compass, which is 10% of the 942 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2018 Jeep Compass?
Yes. Recall 18V523000, reported 2018-08-09, covers rear brake caliper pistons with insufficient brake fluid on certain 2018-2019 Jeep Compass and related FCA models. Dealers bleed the brake system free of charge; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
Have the brake problems caused crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to the brake complaints for the 2018 Jeep Compass shows 5 crashes and 2 injuries, with no fires reported.
At what mileage do brake problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2018 Jeep Compass is 13,806 miles.
How does 2018 compare to other Compass model years for brake complaints?
The 2018 Compass had 90 brake complaints (10% share), lower in share than 2017 (17%) and 2019 (15%) but higher in raw count than every other year listed.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.