2018 Jeep Compass: steering wheel locks up

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · FL

Description of Problem: Since purchase, this vehicle has exhibited severe safety defects, including sudden and repeated engine shutdowns at highway speeds, loss of power while driving, dashboard malfunctions, steering lockups, service ESC, dynamic steering torque service required, service hill holder, false fuel gauge readings, service airbag reading, transmission warming sign, and emergency brake engagement without command. These failures have occurred multiple times and forced me off the road to avoid collisions. They mirror known recalls on this model year and create a clear risk of injury or death. Attempts to Repair: The selling dealer (Coral Springs Pre-Owned Superstore) and an authorized Jeep dealer (Arrigo Jeep in Margate, FL and Arrigo Jeep Tamarac,FL) have repeatedly failed to identify or repair the issues despite video evidence. They claim they cannot replicate the malfunctions, though the vehicle continues to fail monthly. Safety Concern: The Jeep Compass shuts down without warning at highway speeds, leaving me stranded in traffic. This is an immediate hazard and should be investigated as a systemic defect. Requested Action: Investigation into recalls/defects on the 2018 Jeep Compass, enforcement of repairs, and accountability for dealerships that continue to sell unsafe vehicles.

Filed Jan 21, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

Driving at freeway speed, the engine dies. Steering wheel locks up and I coast to a stop. Very dangerous. After 10-15 minutes, jeep will start and drive an unknown amount of time and same thing will happen. I took to a local garage because it is out of warranty. The shop manager said there is no engine code or direction for them to determine what is wrong. Internet search shows this is a huge problem with 2017-2019 jeep compass. However apparently not enough people know they can file a report with the federal safety agency or there would be a gigantic number more complaints than there are. Someone will die in a crash because of this well known issue. Hopefully something will be done before its too late. Batteries replaced, car serviced, and still continues to happen. Has happened around 5 times in last 2 weeks. An issue all over the internet and clearly a fault in manufacturing.

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · WV

On 2 separate occasions, my Jeep Compass has stalled completely shutting off, emergency brake engages on it's own and the steering wheel locks and the vehicle will not restart immediately. I have been on slight upward grades both times and vehicle starts shifting backwards as I attempt to get it restarted and it would not restart immediately either time. Vehicle had to be put in park, I had to wait atleast a minute if not 2 or 3 to get it to restart. Had I been in higher traffic areas or on a highway, this could have caused a major accident. Jeep dealers near me are backed up on service dates telling me they can't get it in for atleast a month and a half so I took it to a local certified mechanic who said nothing is throwing a code and drove it, but this didn't occur while they had it, so there was nothing they could do for me. I'm scared it will happen again and next time I might be in a higher traffic situation. I've read numerous other complaints like this online after searching the issue but I don't see any resolutions.

Filed Jul 13, 2019 · Engine · 3,043 miles · OR

I was driving my vehicle on a city street at 45 miles an hour when the engine turned off with no warning. The steering wheel locked up when the vehicle turned off and coasted the parking break engaged at 15 miles an hour forcing me to hard break and almost get rear ended with children in the vehicle. I had my vehicle towed to the dealership where it was purchased. They told me it was a safety feature for the jeep for the engine to shut off when the oil is low. The dealership is claiming that it's with in chrysler's specs that this engine (2.4 multi-air 9 speed) can burn 1 quart of oil every thousand miles. This jeep only has 3,043 mile on it. It is a serious safety issue for engines to shut off while the vehicle is in motion. This needs to be fixed it can cause serious harm and possible death in a collision. Both of the jeep dealership and chrysler refused to remedy the situation. They are forcing me to drive the vehicle for an oil consumption test regardless of the safety issues. *dt consumer stated there was no warning lights and no chime before, during or after the vehicle stopped running. There was no indication whatsoever that the oil was low. The vehicle had not had an oil change prior to this situation due to the milage. The dealership started at oil consumption test which required them to change the oil. Dealership is asking consumer to bring vehicle in every 500 four times before determining the amount oil that the vehicle is burning.

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 22,651 miles · AZ

When vehicle is in motion it will stall. This has happened on four separate occasions where I was stranded in the middle of the road amidst traffic, in intersections, and once on a freeway. On one occasion I was braking to stop at an off ramp of an interstate. Another time I was turning on a residential street. The other two times I was in motion on a straight road. In all these instances I received alerts that my auto start needed servicing even though the dealership just looked at it and cleared the error/code. It was a miracle I wasn't hit when these events occurred. The event happens in this order: gas pedal stops working, so the car begins to coast but cannot accelerate. All the engineer warning lights pop up at once. Car begins to beep (I assume because of the warning lights), steering wheel locks, preventing you from coasting your car to the shoulder, then the emergency brake engages so you are stuck where you are. You are unable to start the car or move the car and you are stuck exactly where it died. Again, this has happened on the freeway, in the middle of intersections, and while on a regular road. Without warning - the car just dies. After about 10 minutes you can start the car up again without issue, but you have to wait until the car lets you do it and you never have a warning for when it's going to happen again to put yourself in a safe position on the road. It's a danger to the driver and surrounding vehicles. Honestly, it's terrifying.

Filed Feb 8, 2019 · Transmission · 7,500 miles · IA

After using the remote start and getting in the vehicle I was able to place the vehicle in drive without pressing on the brake or pressing the start/stop button to allow the wheel to move freely, in turn allowing the vehicle to roll forward on a hill without being fully turned on thus not allowing for the power steering to work and the steering wheel locked in position. When in drive the vehicle would not start, after placing it back into park the vehicle would still not start but continued to be able to roll forward when my foot was not on the brake. The vehicles start/stop was completely disabled for for up to 3 minutes then the car very suddenly shook, powered down, and I was able to place it in park and restart the car via the start/stop button and normal operation was resumed.

Filed Feb 20, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 178 miles · PA

I just leased a brand new jeep compass. At about 178 miles, I filled up my gas tank for the first time. After leaving the gas station, my car stalled about .2 miles down the road while going about 10mph. The message on the dash states to shift into park and then into the desired gear, but the engine would not turn over.from there, the engine would start and I could drive, but only for a few seconds before the engine shut down again and the steering wheel locked. The dealership stated that there is an issue with the sensor in the passenger side door causing the issue, but I had no problems until I filled up my gas tank. I fear this will happen again while driving on the highway, or on a busy road.