Head-to-head reliability
JEEP Compass vs JEEP Gladiator
How the JEEP Compass and JEEP Gladiator 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 JEEP Gladiator: The Compass averages 113 complaints per year with 20 recalls, while the Gladiator averages 141.7 complaints per year with 34 recalls. Both have 0 deaths, but the Gladiator's steering and fire risks are more severe. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the JEEP Compass or JEEP Gladiator 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, based on NHTSA data, has averaged 113 complaints per year over 10 years, with electrical and engine issues dominating owner reports. Many complaints describe stalling, hesitation, and intermittent electrical glitches that can be frustrating and potentially dangerous. With 20 recalls and 55 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection and a thorough service history before purchase.
JEEP Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator is a midsize pickup that has averaged 141.7 complaints per year over 7 years, with steering and electrical problems leading the list. Owners report serious issues like power steering failures, wiring harness problems, and even fires, alongside transmission and engine troubles. With 34 recalls and 25 crash-related complaints, it's a truck that requires vigilance, especially regarding safety recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | JEEP Compass | JEEP Gladiator |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,130 | 992 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 34 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 55 | 25 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 113.0 Better | 141.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 23 | 22 Better |
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 frequently report intermittent electrical glitches, including a roaring noise, hesitation under acceleration, and screen flashing that can distract the driver. These issues can be hard to diagnose and may lead to unexpected breakdowns.
Complaints include vibration, hesitation, and intermittent roaring noises, with some vehicles dying or losing power while driving. Such symptoms suggest potential stalling risks that could leave you stranded or cause an accident.
Reports describe sudden failure of the Power Take-Off Unit (PTU) while driving at highway speeds, as well as erratic operation of safety features like lane departure warning. These failures can compromise vehicle control and safety.
Owners report that automatic emergency braking and lane departure warnings may not work reliably, staying unlit or failing to activate. This reduces the effectiveness of advanced safety systems you might be counting on.
“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…”
JEEP Gladiator
- 01STEERING329
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM289
- 03POWER TRAIN157
- 04ENGINE130
- 05SUSPENSION106
Owners report power steering pump wiring harness issues that can cause fires, and some experience a total loss of communication across control modules, leading to firm steering and warning lights. These are serious safety concerns that could result in loss of control.
Complaints include software glitches that keep WiFi on after shutdown, draining the battery, and wiring harness problems linked to fire risk. Electrical faults can leave you with a dead battery or worse, a vehicle fire.
Reports describe erratic acceleration, surging, shuddering, and complete transfer case failures requiring replacement of output shafts and axles. These issues can affect drivability and lead to costly repairs.
Some owners report engine fires, overheating, and warning lights illuminating while driving. An engine fire is a catastrophic event that puts lives at risk and totals the vehicle.
“-The power steering pump electrical wiring harness/connector. The vehicle is subject to active Mopar safety Recall 21D (NHTSA Campaign 26v-363) for an un remedied vehicle fire risk caused by high electrical resistance. Yes, the vehicle and affected component…”
“The vehicle suffered a catastrophic, systemic high-speed CAN C data bus loop collapse (Diagnostic Trouble Code U0002-00 "Bus Off"), resulting in an immediate, total loss of communication across almost all primary factory control modules—including the Body Con…”
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.
JEEP Gladiator — 34 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
The risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler, Wrangler 4XE, and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring may overheat and cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
The risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the wiring and electric hydraulic power steering pump, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator and 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The instrument panel cluster may experience an internal short circuit and fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101…
The risk: An instrument panel that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between October 3, 2024, and January 23, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.
The risk: Overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the clutch assembly and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed from November 16, 2023 through July 25, 2024. Owners may contact (FCA US, LLC) customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA…
Buyer analysis
JEEP Compass or JEEP Gladiator: which should you buy?
The Jeep Compass has fewer complaints per year (113.0) than the Jeep Gladiator (141.7), but both have significant safety-related issues. The Gladiator's higher rate and more severe problems like steering failures and fires suggest it may require more frequent and costly attention. In practice, the Compass might be slightly less troublesome, but neither is a low-maintenance choice.
Key differences
- The Gladiator has a higher complaint rate (141.7/year) than the Compass (113.0/year), with more recalls (34 vs 20).
- Steering problems dominate Gladiator complaints, including fire-risk wiring harnesses, while Compass issues are more electrical and engine-focused.
- Gladiator owners report catastrophic failures like transfer case replacement and engine fires, whereas Compass complaints often involve hesitation, stalling, and electrical glitches.
- Both have 0 deaths reported, but the Gladiator has 25 crash-related complaints vs 55 for the Compass, though the Compass has more total crash complaints despite fewer annual complaints.
- Check for intermittent electrical issues: test all lights, infotainment screen, and listen for unusual noises like roaring from the engine bay.
- Inspect for engine hesitation or stalling: take a test drive and pay attention to acceleration and any warning lights, especially related to the power train.
- Inspect the power steering system: look for leaks, listen for whining, and verify that recall 21D (or similar) has been performed to address fire risk.
- Check for transmission and transfer case issues: test acceleration for surging or shuddering, and ask for service records related to drivetrain repairs.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and verify that all safety recalls have been completed, especially for the Gladiator's steering and fuel system.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on electrical, engine, and steering components.
- Test drive extensively, including highway speeds, to detect hesitation, stalling, or steering anomalies.
- Check for signs of water damage or corrosion in electrical connectors, as electrical issues are common in both models.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and be wary if the vehicle has a history of repeated repairs for the same issue.
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 | JEEP Gladiator |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3 |
| 2025 | 26 | 15 |
| 2024 | 52 | 23 |
| 2023 | 46 | 56 |
| 2022 | 222 | 120 |
| 2021 | 80 | 292 |
| 2020 | 141 | 483 |
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 JEEP Gladiator in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- JEEP Compass vs JEEP Gladiator
- JEEP Compass total complaints
- 1,130
- JEEP Gladiator total complaints
- 992
- JEEP Compass total recalls
- 20
- JEEP Gladiator total recalls
- 34
- JEEP Compass avg complaints/year
- 113.0
- JEEP Gladiator avg complaints/year
- 141.7
- More reliable overall
- JEEP Compass
- JEEP Compass top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- JEEP Gladiator top complaint area
- STEERING