2018 Jeep Compass: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN

This vehicle has had multiple electrical issues since time of purchase in 2020. It has been serviced at 3 different jeep dealerships and nobody can seem to resolve the issues. when it was first purchased it would have an issue where after i started it, every warning light and message would flash, the radio would keep restarting, and the vehicle would not let me turn it off. all of this would happen simultaneously. It then sometimes would start and be normal, but the battery and auto start stop light would come on, then it would pop up with a message that says stop vehicle safely, vehicle will shut off soon. It has also given us issues where it would not start at all, no lights would come on like it was dead. More recently, after an 1.5 hour drive, after shutting it off to run in the store, it did not restart when i came back out. No lights would come on at all. We jump started it and tested the main battery, auxiliary battery, and the alternator; and all tested fine. Now neither my main headlights will come on when i start it, nor any of my dashboard lights, but the radio and all other lights still work

Filed May 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IA

The headlights and interior lighting flickers when turned on. The vehicle often will not start, but once hooked up to a jumper pack starts immediately despite the batteries being inspected previously and being okay. The start/stop function doesn't always work, and the engine stalls while driving, causing a massive safety issue.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · 175,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change, the contact was informed that the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate. The contact attempted to replace the light bulb; however, the headlight failed to illuminate. The original light bulb was reinstalled. The contact stated that the START/STOP system failed to restart the vehicle after an idle stop. The message “Battery Charging System Failure” was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Lights · GA

Headlights work intermittently. Driver side comes on but passenger side doesn’t or vise versa. Also sometimes neither come on. No warning messages or anything. Yes the jeep dealership saw the issue with the lights and so did an independent mechanic.

Filed Jun 15, 2025 · Lights · CA

My driver's side headlights stops working intermittently. This occurs quite randomly. I have replaced the bulbs, the switch, and after taking it to a dealer, I ended up replacing the driver's side headlight assembly. Nothing has worked, and now I am hundreds of dollars poorer for my trouble. This is clearly a safety issue, and judging from what I have seen in online forums, there are a great many others with the same problem. This is a safety issue that falls squarely on the manufacturer to remedy, and to compensate its customers for our losses.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IA

The electrical system and start/stop system has went blizzark and began loosing power going in and out of limp mode the headlights no longer work on one side and high beam isn't bright anymore I've replaced the auxiliary battery and the normal battery has begun to short circuit and cannot decide if it's full charged or down to 8volts when their began happening it was during a rainstorm and I was left stalled in mid intersection ....even a jump wouldn't fix the problem. I had it towed to my dealership where the mechanics were unable to diagnose the problem but did get it to happen again going down the highway they then also had it towed back to the shop and replaced the auxiliary battery it didn't happen again until 3 months later now it's getting worse each day i will replace the battery but then I'd like to have my electrical problems looked into but I have read many 9the people having the same issues even after the recall of an electrical chip and I wander if it shouldn't also.be replaced a second time

Filed Jan 14, 2025 · Lights · TX

I bought my vehicle in May of 2019. In May 2021 my car had 34,000 miles on it and the passenger side headlight was out. I took it to the dealership and they replaced my left headlight assembly (vehicle was under warranty). In October 2024, I noticed that my headlight on the passenger side was out again. My vehicle had 56,426 miles on it. I called the dealership (South Point Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Austin, TX) up to 9 times and no one responded to my calls. Due to their lack of response, I took it to a shop up the road that specializes in Jeeps. When the shop took a look at the issue, they found that both headlights were actually out. First they tried just replacing the bulbs, and that didn't work. So they replaced the entire headlight assembly on both sides. This fixed the issue for maybe 3 weeks. My headlights are still out. I took it back to the shop for help and they told me they cannot help me, as everything looks to be set up right. I have spent over $1,200 in repair costs and ubers to get this issue fixed and I am at a loss. Looks like this is a common issue with 2018 Jeep Compasses. I filed a case against Jeep and they immediately denied my case. This is very concerning given I do have to drive at night and early mornings to travel to work.

Filed Jan 11, 2025 · Lights · CT

A cable going to the driver's side headlamp assembly was intermittently shorting and causing the headlight to turn off while driving. The cable and entire headlamp assembly had to be replaced to fix the issue. There are other reports of this issue on [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 4, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · CA

My headlights only work on random occasions. The bulbs don’t need replacing so it seems electrical. I can’t drive at night now because I never know if I’ll be able to see or not with this issue.

Filed Nov 16, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · FL

The vehicle is a 2018 Jeep Compass Limited with the VIN [XXX] ####. I purchased it used on [XXX]. On [XXX], I noticed a problem with the headlights. They have been flickering between both headlights almost daily since then. On [XXX], both headlights were out, and I needed to drive at night. After about half a mile, the passenger headlight turned on, and after another half mile, the driver’s headlight came on. I’ve attached photos taken on October [XXX] and [XXX] to illustrate the issue. It’s a serious safety concern. This is just one of several dozen reports of the same problem. The manufacturer must be informed about this issue and initiate a recall once they have a solution to ensure that the headlights remain on when they’re supposed to. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 18, 2024 · Lights · FL

Low and high beams. Come on at intermediate times sometimes the passenger side will be on and there will be no driver side. Sometimes they will not come on at all. No matter how many turns you turn the light or flick. The switch I've replaced both headlights and the ballasters. Still to no Avail. They do not work all the time.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · TX

Headlight will not come on. Both have been replaced. One may come on but the other will notcome on.