Head-to-head reliability

JEEP Compass vs Honda Accord

How the JEEP Compass and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

JEEP Compass2,028 complaints · 19 recalls Fewer issues per year
Honda Accord4,290 complaints · 38 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

JEEP Compass averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. JEEP Compass has 2,028 complaints and 19 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,290 complaints and 38 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryJEEP CompassHonda Accord
Total complaintsAll model years combined2,028 Better4,290
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns19 Better38
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints81 Better154
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years202.8 Better429.0
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints40 Better141
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better3

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.

What actually goes wrong

The problems owners report

The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.

JEEP Compass

  1. 01ENGINE841
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM833
  3. 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER445
  4. 04POWER TRAIN296
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES161
In owners' words — ENGINE

I am writing to request immediate assistance with our Jeep, which has become a serious safety hazard for our family. We purchased the jeep less than 2 years ago and over the past three months it has repeatedly failed to start or has stalled unexpectedly, leav…

Upon engine start up at the home of my S/O, [XX], the warning "Service Automatic Throttle Control" appeared on the dashboard. Placing the vehicle into gear first in reverse, then in drive resulted in sudden acceleration and erratic lurching. I had no brakes w…

Honda Accord

  1. 01ENGINE924
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM820
  3. 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE798
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER696
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES577
In owners' words — ENGINE

I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…

Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…

Official recalls

Safety recalls on record

Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.

JEEP Compass — 19 recalls

Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel
#23V576000

The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Compass vehicles. The brightness level of the instrument panel cluster (IPC) may not be adjustable due to incorrect software in the body control module (BCM). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Veh…

The risk: An IPC display that is not bright enough may not clearly show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 29, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is…

Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera
#24V436000

The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rear…

The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, L…

Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Linkages
#20V208000Sep 2020

The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass vehicles. The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.

The risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W25.

Seats — Front Assembly — Head Restraint
#22V248000

The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Compass vehicles. The front seat head restraints were not welded properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."

The risk: Improperly welded head restraints can result in an increased risk of injury to seat occupants during a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace both front seat head restraints, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z36.

Honda Accord — 38 recalls

Electrical System — Propulsion System — Hybrid Management — Power Control Unit/Module (Hpcu) — Software
#25V785000

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.

The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…

Tires — Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
#26V366000Apr 2026

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.

The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is availa…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module
#23V430000

The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…

The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification — Front Passenger
#24V064000Jan 2024

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…

The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…

Year by year

Which model years to avoid

Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.

YearJEEP CompassHonda Accord
202624
20252096
202451207
202345219
2022218214
202176217
2020136340
2019323653
20189291812
2017228528
Years to scrutinize: the 2018 JEEP Compass drew the most complaints (929); the 2018 Honda Accord drew the most (1,812). Inspect these model years especially closely.

Check the actual car

Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.

Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific JEEP Compass or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

JEEP Compass vs Honda Accord — comparison facts
Comparison
JEEP Compass vs Honda Accord
JEEP Compass total complaints
2,028
Honda Accord total complaints
4,290
JEEP Compass total recalls
19
Honda Accord total recalls
38
JEEP Compass avg complaints/year
202.8
Honda Accord avg complaints/year
429.0
More reliable overall
JEEP Compass
JEEP Compass top complaint area
ENGINE
Honda Accord top complaint area
ENGINE