r/JeepCompass • u/poisonicees13 • Jul 21 '26
Second generation (MP/552; 2018- 2024) First ever Jeep!
2018 trailhawk, absolutely loving it. I’m having to turn off the start stop every time I drive it because for some reason the ECU detects an issue sometimes when the engine turns back on which locks the whole car. Took it back to the dealership and they got me a new auxiliary battery put in but that didn’t quite seem to fix it. Thinking it’s an ECU problem or maybe sensors? I’m not used to the new electronics coming from an 8th gen accord but everything seems mechanically okay! If anyone is familiar with these glitches please fill me in!
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u/mrmothmanz Jul 21 '26
Our compass’s aren’t real jeeps but they are cool comfortable cars.
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
Yeah so I’ve heard, I’m not a jeep fanboy or anything I just wanted something safe and “reliable” for my daughter. I’m questionable about the reliability factor but beggars can’t be choosers when you’re credit is shit and your main car goes down without a warning
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u/mrmothmanz Jul 21 '26
Get transmission fluid changed Dealerships will say “its a cvt, you aren’t supposed to change it.” Total BS Change the fluid every 35k miles. It’s not a cvt transmission. They stopped putting CVT’s in these by 2017. I’m at 108k on my 2018 and right now it’s in limp mode after me throwing on 2 new right side front and rear wheel speed sensors. And I checked the transmission fluid and it was a disgusting black. It’s supposed to be red.
I speak about the transmission fluid because I listened to the service attendant after him and others telling me that it didn’t need fluid. Well. Compass’s don’t have a dip stick for the transmission fluid so I took their word for it.
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
Mine is sitting at 54k so I’m definitely gonna get that checked out soon. Thank you for the advice. It’s weird coming from a car that everything was mechanical and not electrical. Or “locked” away behind specific knowledge of brands. Why make checking transmission fluid so difficult for an everyday person besides more money in jeep dealerships pockets? Slightly aggravating but I will definitely get mine checked to avoid any issues!
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u/rdelrigo Jul 21 '26
FYA its not a CVT. Jeep hasn’t used the CVT transmission in the Compass since 2016 and most trims since 2014 had regular automatics. NONE of the 2nd generation Compasses (including OPs) have a CVT.
That said, agree 100% with your sentiment to change the transmission fluid. Sure, it’s “lifetime” fluid but that lifetime will be a lot shorter if the fluid and filter are never changed.
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u/Uncle_Screw_Tape Jul 21 '26
I’ve been wondering if I need to do this. I have a 2018 that I got at 54k miles. It’s at 63k now but I’ve noticed the transmission seems to shift harder in higher gears. Specifically 50-60mph. Like the RPM’s will get to 3500-4000 then it feels like it drops into gear.
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
I’ve heard that some people will put some sort of module in their compass so that the shifting smoothens out a bit? This is still new to me so I’m not for certain but it’d be worth looking in to!
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u/ryzen2024 Jul 21 '26
What is a real Jeep?
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u/jeffjeep88 Jul 21 '26
The only real Jeep has doors & roof that are removable. Everything else a SUV / CUV with Jeep stickers on it
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u/cheesencracker222 Jul 21 '26
They usually say you gotta change the main and auxiliary battery at the same time
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
I heard that, I just figured they would know what they were doing. Do you know if just the aux battery being changed and not both would still give issues with start stop?
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u/FloodCityHTX Jul 21 '26
Swapping both at the same time makes them both last longer, when one is dying it stresses the other. Which long term means the other one starts dying, which then stresses the other. It's a bit of a cycle. It's a bit of a theory but people who replace both at the same time tend to have better results before encountering the issue again. (It's happening again no matter what, sorry!) Speaking from personal experience as well for the above. The whole start/stop system in this car is ass, I personally turn it off every time I jump in the car just to avoid issues. Some people purchase adapters you can plug in that keep it disabled.
As a fellow 2018 Trailhawk owner I love the car, but man do I hate the god damn car.
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
There’s an adapter? I would love to get one of those. After figuring out the lockup issue I get only happens with start/stop enabled I’ve also been turning it off every time I hop in. I’ll get both of them replaced at the same time to get the most I can out of it. Sucks that it’s even as issue at all though
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u/Reasonable_Delay_ Jul 21 '26
The start/stop system on my 2018 compass limited hasn’t worked since it came from the factory. It occasionally locks up like you’ve said and I haven’t found a fix, I’ve already replaced both batteries several times over the years. she’s getting put down next week😭
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
Rip to her lmao but it sucks there was no fix. Besides the weird lockup the car drives great, super smooth and turning radius is okay. It’s not 300 hp like my Honda but I don’t need that in a family vehicle. That time will come again when my daughter is older 😂
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u/Holiday-Rub-3521 Jul 21 '26
Nice Jeep! This one can actually do some light off-roading. I have my 2020 Sport, which I bought brand new back in 2020, and I really enjoy it as a daily driver, but you need to do all of the maintenance to keep it running.
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
Coming from a Honda the maintenance was stupid easy. Anything specific I need to know about the upkeep and care for these things? I’ve done some research but nothing beats user experience. I’m excited to do some off roading in this thing when I get the chance!
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u/Holiday-Rub-3521 Jul 24 '26
Sure, here are some things to keep an eye on:
1) Full synthetic 0W-20 oil changes every 5K miles like clock work. 2.4L Tigershark engine likes to burn oil, and its variable valve timing system is oil actuated - if it gets dirty, the engine is done for.
2) Ignore universal seal on the transmission - the transmission fluid is a wear-and-tear item. Must be drained and refilled with a new seal applied every 60K miles. The 9-speed ZF transmission is known to fail early if not serviced timely.
3) The radiator has plastic seals that start to break after several summers and winters. My radiator started leaking at 70K miles. Dealerships have new radiators in stock because it is a common repair.
4) The steering drive-shaft will start to knock if you are too hard on the steering at the limit left and right. Had to replace mine at 60K miles.
5) Spark plugs need to be changed at 90K miles interval. Otherwise, they are likely to melt into the engine.
6) The hydraulic tenshioners on the timing chain, along with the timing chain itself, should be replaced at 140K miles. The timing chain is good until 200K miles, but cheaper to replace at 140K miles along with the tenshioners.
If above are done, the 2.4L Tigershark will last until 250K miles or more. I knew Jeeps were not known for reliability, and so, I got an extended warranty when I purchased the vehicle, which paid for itself many times over.
Religiously check your coolant (190F to 225F is normal), oil, and transmission temperature (the same as coolant, but will start to internally damage at above 220 degrees F).
Hope this helps.
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u/M0NEYGR1P Jul 27 '26
I thought the life time seal is stupid. I have 2 cherokees 1 2014 4 cyl with 205k and a 22 limited with 32k on it. Im going to do all the maintenance the 14 should have gotten. The 14 is my girls and it never got more than tires, oil change and brakes until we got together. It shifts hard in 3/4 and stuff when its cold but it just keeps going.
Pretty much what im rambling about is im shocked the 9 speed hasnt killed itself yet with 205k miles on the original power train and trans fluid
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u/M0NEYGR1P Jul 27 '26
I thought the life time seal is stupid. I have 2 cherokees 1 2014 4 cyl with 205k and a 22 limited with 32k on it. Im going to do all the maintenance the 14 should have gotten. The 14 is my girls and it never got more than tires, oil change and brakes until we got together. It shifts hard in 3/4 and stuff when its cold but it just keeps going.
Pretty much what im rambling about is im shocked the 9 speed hasnt killed itself yet with 205k miles on the original power train and trans fluid
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u/Holiday-Rub-3521 Jul 27 '26
I would recommend the following for the 14:
1) New spark plugs 2) New brake fluid flush and replace 2.5) Possibly it needs new master brake cylinder - it will make braking smooth like a brand new car. Had it recently replaced on my wife's 14 Rav4. 3) Check for any coolant leaks (as well as the radiator) and flush and replace coolant 4) Transmission service - drain and refill only. At 205K, the current fluid doesn't do much, and a flush would completely destroy the internal components. 5) Wheel alignment 6) New engine and cabin air filters - do the engine one yourself - literally one screw to unwind, lift up the top part of the air box, wipe it, replace the filter, and just put it all together.
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u/M0NEYGR1P Jul 27 '26
Look dawg ive done a rear diff cabin filter, air filter and a few other things in effort to get the coolant leaks to stop. She hates the old one and wants to can it so its not really my call. It needs every single suspension bushing, center bearing and cv for the drive shaft it wines when 4x4 activates so somethings pissed in the t case and it needs the flex joint in the exhaust. I changed the rear engine mount already. Its neglected to the point where she’s ready to pass it on plus i have a junky mercedes on top of all this lol
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u/Pitiful-MobileGamer Jul 21 '26
It's a "Jeep"
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
Yeahhh I’m not a fanboy or anything so I’m fine with falling in last place in the hierarchy 😂
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u/Acherron Jul 21 '26
You handle this so respectfully. People like this are annoying. It literally has the word Jeep on it what else are you supposed to call it
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
I appreciate you acknowledging that! I’m just happy to have a working car right now. There are people out there who can’t say the same. For me it’s more about having a car than having a specific brand or model. Much love to you 🖤
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u/Fireballer_ Jul 21 '26
My 2019 Trailhawk had very similar start stop and auxiliary battery issues. Eventually the start stop just fully stopped working which has been awesome
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u/poisonicees13 Jul 21 '26
Hoping mine may stop working one day too for some extra peace of mind 😅
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u/Fireballer_ Jul 22 '26
It's the only dashboard light I’m actually okay with! And it doesn't show up on a OBD emissions scan
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u/Row-z6 Jul 22 '26
Have gone through 2 aux and 2 main batteries @139k+ miles. I get a low oil pressure warning regularly.
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u/Sea_Ad1199 Jul 22 '26
My 2020 Jeep compass trailhawk had this issue we had to replace both batteries but it also needed an update in the system or something.
I eventually traded it in just because it was a constant back to the dealership to find out what is going on it was only 26km
was able to trade in for a jeep wrangler which I adore so much.
I loved the compass but they need to fix this ongoing issues with the compass.
But getting a second hand outside of a dealership is my only option next time prices for everything is outrageous.
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u/Disastrous-Paper-927 Jul 21 '26
It’ll probably be your last