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.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
JEEP Compass vs Honda Accord: The Compass averages 113 complaints per year with 20 recalls, while the Accord averages 452 complaints per year with 38 recalls. Both have safety-related issues, but the Accord's higher volume means more reported problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the JEEP Compass or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
JEEP Compass
The Jeep Compass is a compact SUV that averages about 113 complaints per year over the past decade, with electrical and engine issues dominating owner reports. Many complaints describe intermittent electrical glitches, hesitation under acceleration, and sudden power loss while driving. With 20 recalls and 55 crash-related complaints, it demands careful inspection before purchase.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 452 per year—but that reflects its huge popularity. Owners frequently report engine and electrical problems, including power steering and braking failures, plus forward collision avoidance quirks. It has 38 recalls and 162 crash-related complaints, so while common, it still requires a thorough check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | JEEP Compass | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,130 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 55 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 113.0 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 23 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
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
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM476
- 02ENGINE381
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER258
- 04POWER TRAIN148
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE109
Owners report intermittent roaring noises, hesitation, and sudden loss of power while driving, often linked to electrical faults. These issues can leave you stranded or cause dangerous situations on the road.
Complaints include vibration and hesitation under acceleration, sometimes accompanied by unusual noises. These symptoms may indicate deeper mechanical problems that are costly to repair.
The Power Take-Off Unit (PTU) can fail suddenly at highway speeds, according to one owner. This critical drivetrain component failure can cause loss of power and increase crash risk.
Owners say lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking often don't work as expected. Malfunctioning safety aids reduce driver confidence and may not protect you in a crash.
“The vehicle was purchased in Dec of 2023. It had a slight vibration and hesitation under acceleration a few miles after leaving the dealership, just assumed everything needed to “break in”. About a month later, we had noticed an intermittent roaring noise com…”
“To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding my 2021 Jeep Compass, particularly concerning recurring mechanical, electrical, and safety-related problems that have created serious concerns about the vehicle's reliability and sa…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners describe rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms. These issues can signal hybrid system or engine problems that are expensive to diagnose.
Reports include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can cause loss of control and are serious safety concerns.
Complaints mention the system braking unexpectedly or failing to intervene when needed, sometimes under adaptive cruise control. Unpredictable safety tech can startle drivers and increase crash risk.
Owners report persistent rotten-egg odors and fuel delivery issues, with some repairs not resolving the problem. These can indicate fuel leaks or emissions problems that affect safety and health.
“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…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
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 — 20 recalls
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…
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…
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.
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
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…
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 were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
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…
Buyer analysis
JEEP Compass or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Jeep Compass has far fewer complaints per year (113 vs. 452), but the Honda Accord's higher count is partly due to its much larger sales volume. In practice, the Compass may have fewer reported issues overall, but the Accord's problems often involve critical safety systems like steering and braking.
Key differences
- The Jeep Compass averages 113 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452—but the Accord sells in much higher numbers, so per-vehicle rates may be closer.
- Compass owners frequently report electrical and engine hesitation, while Accord owners report more severe issues like power steering and braking failure.
- The Compass has 20 recalls and 55 crash-related complaints; the Accord has 38 recalls and 162 crash-related complaints, indicating more safety-related reports.
- Forward collision avoidance problems appear in both, but Accord complaints include unexpected braking and failures under adaptive cruise control.
- Listen for intermittent roaring noises or hesitation during a test drive, especially under acceleration—these are common electrical/engine complaints.
- Ask for service records related to the Power Take-Off Unit (PTU) and check for any signs of drivetrain vibration or sudden power loss.
- Test the electronic power steering and braking systems at low and highway speeds; any warning lights or stiffness could indicate a serious failure.
- Check for persistent rotten-egg odors and ensure the fuel system has no leaks or unresolved fuel pump recalls.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the electrical system, engine, and transmission for both models.
- For the Compass, specifically test the forward collision avoidance and lane departure warning systems.
- For the Accord, test the hybrid mode transitions and adaptive cruise control if equipped.
- Ask the seller for any recent repair invoices, especially for safety-related components.
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.
| Year | JEEP Compass | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 10 |
| 2025 | 26 | 109 |
| 2024 | 52 | 219 |
| 2023 | 46 | 226 |
| 2022 | 222 | 252 |
| 2021 | 80 | 234 |
| 2020 | 141 | 362 |
| 2019 | 329 | 691 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 229 | 537 |
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
- Comparison
- JEEP Compass vs Honda Accord
- JEEP Compass total complaints
- 1,130
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- JEEP Compass total recalls
- 20
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- JEEP Compass avg complaints/year
- 113.0
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- JEEP Compass
- JEEP Compass top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE