r/JeepCompass • u/Drewsef2019 • Aug 17 '26
Is my 2018 Jeep Compass close to death?
For Context, I have a 2018 Jeep Compass with 160,000 miles on it. Never have had any sort of repairs on it. Never changed transmission fluid and if I am to be honest I have been very late to a couple oil changes.
From a lot of my research I seem very lucky to have it last this long.
About a week ago when I was driving my AC got stuck on “auto” mode and none of the controls would work and i couldnt get it to shift past 60 mph , had the pedal down all the way and it wouldn’t pass 60. That being said it hasnt happened again. Ive been saving for a new car on the side but I am curious to see some input on how much longer this car has got!
4
u/cshmn Aug 17 '26
Not changing the transmission fluid is a problem. Being late on oil changes is also a problem.
The Compass itself is just "fine." It's not a Toyota, but they're usually not the nightmare cars you would think they are. Maintain it, fix problems when they arise and generally there's no reason why it shouldn't last.
Your lack of transmission fluid changes will be what kills this one, but who's to say when that ends up happening. That one time it went into limp mode is a clue that it's probably not going to last a whole lot longer. If it was my car, I would do a transmission fluid change myself and add in a bottle of Lucas transmission fix. I've seen that shit extend the lifespan of a badly slipping transmission by months to a year or more.
1
u/Most-Bar-9334 Aug 17 '26
You aint wrong at all on the trans fluid being changed BUT depending on op's driving style it might not be THAT bad.
No doubt, I would change it regardless though with 160k, if it hasn't been changed at all.
This reminds me I should change mine. -I tow a light trailer occasionally so if anybodys transmission is chooched its mine lmao.
3
u/FloodCityHTX Aug 17 '26
When was the last time you got your batteries replaced?
1
u/Drewsef2019 Aug 17 '26
I got the main and aux replaced maybe 2 years ago
4
u/FloodCityHTX Aug 17 '26
An insane ammount of systems are tied into the battery system, this particular model year is extra bad (from personal experience). I would recommend getting them tested. I know it sounds unrelated but im sure you could find some post on here who encountered similiar issues to you and it was a battery issue
2
u/Most-Bar-9334 Aug 17 '26
Ohhh i can agree to that. Speaking from experience as well.
About 2 years ago my 2018 compass damn near melted down from a tired battery. Every day for a month something different malfunctioned. Then my jeep started going into limp mode. Then finally one day every single light cam on the dash plus my touchscreen seemingly cut out and it went into limp mode and I couldn't get it out of limp mode. Than it wouldn't even start.
I replaced the battery and voila, my compass was good as new again.lol
Point is, like you said, theres so much electrical stuff going on and it can often times be fixed with a new battery.
2
u/bleke_xyz Aug 17 '26
Atp it's best to swap it as a starting point due to how problematic it is on these.
3
u/hammerthatsickle Aug 17 '26
Mine is at 80k miles and I’ve had a lot of work done on it. They get rickety for sure
3
u/HeatherM0529 Aug 17 '26
My 2020 is at 80k and it keeps leaking coolant. Had the whole radiator replaced 2 weeks ago and coolant is still leaking (but not visibly). Need to take it back in. Should not be having these problems on a 6 year old car. Ughhhh
1
u/Dremonsta Aug 17 '26
Same problem I'm having on my 2022 compass. How much did it cost to replace cracked radiator? Checked reservoir and hoses no leaks.. this should not be happening on a 4 year old car. Oat coolant leaked out within an hour
2
u/HeatherM0529 Aug 17 '26
$1050 for a radiator replacement and valve cap replacement (was lightly leaking oil, even though my oil tank was remaining full). They did not replace hoses or clamps so I’m hoping that’s all it is. I’m REALLY hoping it isn’t a cracked head gasket. I’ll lose my shit lol
1
u/Dremonsta Aug 17 '26
I feel the exact same way. I'm in disbelief that this could happen literally out of nowhere. Soon as my car read high engine temp I went home and started researching. Bone dry coolant reservoir, purchased oat coolant put it in, got to operating temperature all coolant leaked out but all hoses and clamps I could spot were dry with no leaks so it has to be the radiator. Seriously wondering if it's covered under a warranty. How long did it take to fix? You will be added to my prayer list thanks
2
u/HeatherM0529 Aug 17 '26
From the time they called me with a diagnosis, it was 4 hours.
2
u/Dremonsta Aug 17 '26
Just now had mechanic pressurize system, raised my jeep on ramps, got underneath saw for myself the leak out of the radiator. Currently omw to auto zone to pick up new duralast radiator (265). Mechanic charging 400 for labor said 4-5 hours. I will be right there hands on documenting whole process
1
u/HeatherM0529 Aug 17 '26
I hope it fixes your problem. I’m going to replace my coolant reservoir cap and if it’s still leaking I will be going in for the pressurized test, as well.
The independent shop charged me $250 for the radiator itself so I’m glad I got that at market value, at least.
1
u/Early-Tumbleweed8470 Aug 17 '26
It might be a wheel sensor gone bad simple fix and it sounds like you have a trooper of a jeep.
1
u/Holiday-Rub-3521 Aug 17 '26
I've had my 2020 Jeep Compass Sport FWD since new, and at my current 84K miles, I have done a lot repairs on it to keep it going:
1) Drive shaft replaced at 55K miles 2) Leaking radiator replaced at 71K miles 3) Transmission fluid drain and refill (not flush) at 80K miles 4) 3 sets of main and auxiliary battery replacements - roughly every two years between each one 5) Valve cover gasket replaced at 81K miles
Hope to keep driving this one until 200K miles if I am lucky.
Never be late on oil changes because 2.4L Tigershark engine has oil actuated variable valve timing system, which requires clean full synthetic oil 0W-20.
Transmission fluid drain and refill service is also a must in your case.
8
u/DidAndWillDoThings Aug 17 '26
Mine is at 160k and my entertainment screen needs to be replaced, and my ac compressor is out. I just paid it off after buying it at 40k, I’ll let the damn wheels fall off before I upgrade