JEEP Compass Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used JEEP Compass options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the JEEP Compass has 2,033 owner complaints and 19 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2018 drew the most complaints; 2025 drew the fewest.
- Make
- JEEP
- Model
- Compass
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 2,033
- Safety recall campaigns
- 19
- Crash-related complaints
- 82
- Fire-related complaints
- 15
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2018 (930 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2025 (20 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
JEEP Compass: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe JEEP COMPASS has 2,033 NHTSA complaints and 19 recalls on record. 82 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 2,033 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 19 federal recall campaigns
- 82 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
19 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
EQUIPMENT
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 2,033 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
2,033 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
There are major software issues. The vehicle brakes unexpectedly. It is completely random and extremely dangerous. The satellite radio content is altered with the use of A.I. . It is similar to Deepfake scam. I can scan the network and send logs if needed.
While cruising at 36mph, we decided to initiate the cruise control. Upon reaching a slow-down traffic ahead, the brakes were applied to slow the vehicle, however the cruise control did not disengage and the brakes did not stop the vehicle. The brakes were pressed three times and still the car could not stop. We were in a two-lane road with an opposite direction lane on the other side of the grassy median. We saw an opening in between the stopped vehicles and crossed over from right to left lane into the grassy median, hit a ditch, and did a sharp turn into opposing traffic, almost hitting another vehicle as they moved out of way, and stopped the vehicle on the opposite side of the road. When the vehicle hit the ditch crossing the median, the right front tire popped and helped in stopping the vehicle. Four family members including myself were in the vehicle and there were several cars already stopped in the lanes. This incident caused great safety concerns for my family and the vehicles around us. Had we hit the cars while crossing over, it would have caused a chain reaction of "hits" as the cars were already lined up and stopped. We brought the car to the Jeep dealership and they did confirm that the internal valve body failure and TCM fault contributed to improper communication within the transmission. They did replace the TCM and valve body assembly, reprogrammed the module and road tested the vehicle. The auto stop/start warning light came on after the incident. They performed a battery test for the main and auxiliary, and both failed load test and read at low voltages. Both batteries were replaced and fault codes cleared. Upon receiving the vehicle, I tested the cruise control component and it has been working for the past three months now.
Steering rack needs to be replaced per dealership. Reported loud clunking noise when turning. Not covered under warranty. Was told it was regular car maintenance. 49k miles with bumper to bumper expired a month before complaint. Have noted in forums multiple complaints for same issue yet jeep refuses to cover.
The heating unit isn’t working. It blows out cold air when on hot and sometimes it switches to different setting for the heating unit.
The car sways back and forth and the steering wheel shakes.
NHTSA Safety Complaint Summary Component: Braking System / Electronic Stability Control / Electrical System Incident Date: November 5, 2025 Vehicle Mileage: 5,207 Description of Defect: While operating the vehicle at highway speeds on the Grand Central Parkway, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of primary braking function. Simultaneously, the dashboard displayed multiple critical system failures, including: "Service Electronic Stability Control," "Start/Stop Unavailable," "Service Park Brake," and "Dynamic Torque Service Required." The brake pedal became unresponsive/hard, requiring extreme force and distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, nearly resulting in a high-speed collision. This was a non-collision catastrophic mechanical failure of the braking and electronic control modules. Post-Incident History: The vehicle was held by an authorized manufacturer dealership (Hempstead Jeep) for over 60 days. Despite attempted repairs, the vehicle continues to exhibit electrical instability, including intermittent battery failure and charging system warnings. The manufacturer has been unable to provide a permanent remedy for the underlying electrical-to-braking system fault. This vehicle remains a severe risk to public safety and life. Thank You [XXX] & [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Read 14 more owner reports
I am filing this complaint regarding a deceptive business practice at Haddad Dodge Kia involving the falsification of official vehicle service records and the mishandling of safety-critical repairs. 1. Verification of Safety Defect: In December 2025, a technician at this dealership confirmed a failure in my vehicle's occupant restraint system (seat belts). Parts were ordered under warranty specifically to address this safety risk. 2. Failure to Perform and Misrepresentation: On January 27, 2026, I dropped my vehicle off for the scheduled installation of these safety components. The dealership held my vehicle for 48 hours. During this time, Service Advisor Josh Kortkamp falsely stated via text that the vehicle was "disassembled" and the technician was working on it. Upon my arrival to retrieve the vehicle, I discovered it had never been touched, and my dash cam had been unplugged without my consent. 3. Falsification of Legal Documents (Fraud): After I terminated the service for non-performance, the dealership manually entered a status of "Customer Declined Repairs" into the official service record and the Stellantis national database. I have a timestamped Multi-Point Inspection (MPI) PDF showing the work was "Approved" by me. The "Declined" status is a fraudulent fabrication intended to: Mask the shop’s failure to perform authorized work. Shift legal liability for a known safety defect from the dealership/manufacturer to me. Create a false record of owner negligence that jeopardizes my Stellantis/Mopar Warranty standing. Desired Resolution: I request that the Attorney General’s office investigate these deceptive practices. I demand that the dealership be compelled to formally amend my vehicle's national service history to accurately reflect "Shop Non-Performance" rather than a "Customer Decline," and to provide written confirmation that my warranty standing remains intact despite their fraudulent reporting.
The contact's granddaughter owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving approximately 65 MPH with her daughter in the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled into an auto shop parking lot. The contact stated that an independent mechanic from the auto shop inspected the vehicle and noticed that a fuel clip was needed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the contact was waiting to hear from the dealer about a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,023.
I am submitting this complaint to report a serious and repeated safety-related electrical failure involving my 2023 Jeep Compass. While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden and dangerous electrical malfunction. The windshield wipers activated on their own, both digital screens began flashing uncontrollably with warning messages, headlights and dashboard controls turned on and off without driver input. Most critically, the automatic emergency braking system became disabled while the vehicle was in motion. During the first service visit to an authorized Jeep dealership, I was informed that the Body Control Module (BCM) was not responding, and that multiple vehicle systems showed inactive status and communication failures. The dealership stated they could not identify the root cause. Instead of repairing the issue, the system faults and communication errors were cleared/reset, the battery was replaced “as a precaution,” and the vehicle was released without a confirmed repair. The next day, the same failure occurred again while driving on the highway. The windshield wipers activated randomly, the screen displayed a red warning stripe, multiple system failure messages appeared, and the emergency braking system was disabled at highway speed. This created an extremely dangerous situation. The vehicle behaved unpredictably, critical safety systems were unavailable, and I could have been involved in a serious or fatal accident, putting my life and the safety of others at risk. Thankfully, my children were not in the vehicle at that time. Due to the severity of the malfunction, the vehicle was unsafe to operate and required towing back to the dealership. The issue remains unresolved. This appears to involve a serious defect with the Body Control Module (BCM), vehicle communication systems, and possible wiring or grounding faults, which directly affect vehicle safety and warrant investigation.
1) The Power Take-Off Unit (PTU) in the drivetrain failed suddenly while driving at approximately 60 mph. This is a critical drivetrain component responsible for transferring power. The PTU is currently at the Jeep dealership where the repair order is open, and it is available for inspection upon request. 2) The PTU failure caused the vehicle to lose the ability to operate safely and became inoperable in the middle of travel on the highway. This placed my husband and son at risk of being stranded on the side of the road at highway speeds, vulnerable to collisions, limited ability to maneuver the vehicle, and potential loss of control. It also created risk to other drivers due to sudden deceleration and inability to move the vehicle to safety under its own power. 3) Yes. An independent mechanic first confirmed that the issue was related to the drivetrain. The Jeep dealership later confirmed that the failed component is the Power Take-Off Unit and that it is covered under the powertrain warranty. A repair order is open, and the part is currently on backorder. 4) Yes. The vehicle was inspected by a local independent mechanic immediately after the breakdown, and then by the authorized Jeep dealership after it was towed for warranty repair. No police or insurance inspection occurred because the incident was a mechanical failure without a collision. The manufacturer’s dealership has acknowledged the drivetrain failure. 5) No, there were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the sudden failure. The vehicle was operating normally up until the moment the PTU failed on November 27, 2024 at approximately 11:40 AM. The failure was immediate and unexpected.
While driving 65 miles an hour down the road my vehicle hit a hard stop( felt like I ran into a brick wall) . memo on my car popped up, saying service transmission. Being completely stopped and using the gas, it wraps up to four or five RPMs just to get me rolling. There’s not much power behind the gas pedal. Thankfully, the person behind me did not tail end me when my vehicle hard stopped.
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the instrument panel was illuminated while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the battery had failed and needed to be charged. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,074.
Vehicle was called for Safety recall 88A "refers to a recall for the 2022-2023 Jeep Compass where the instrument panel cluster may not be bright enough, preventing drivers from seeing critical information like vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash." I've been told a different dealerships that cluster is working as designed even if this is actually dim. Last visit was a Jeep Dealership where they realized cluster was dim but they just decided to mark it "as designed" and were telling me that as a customer I had to pay $1600 USD + tax to fix this issue. In the first place the issue came from the manufacturer as this part is not supposed to fail as being one of the most important due to the nature of this car of being "mostly electrical". They've said that it has been rectified but the true is that still dim and barely see something during sunny days. I'm not willing to pay for something that was supposed to be done in the factory.
Two bolts that hold the wheel assembly to the frame of the vehicle have broken off. The first in April 2025 was on the passenger side, and the second in July 2025 was on the driver side. The Jeep service personnel provided no explanation for how this could happen or seemed to have inspected the other components after the vehicle was serviced for the first broken bolt.
When driving on expressway at about 70 mph. Engine light comes on. Car loses acceleration. Start stop states it’s unavailable. Have to pull over on side of road and turn car off. Restart car and it drives normally with engine light on. Took it to a local dealership and they stated it need ed a software update. They then test drove the car and problem did not reoccur. The very next day while driving on the expressway again at about 70 mph. Same problem has occurred. The car has 26,996 miles on it as is still under warranty. How can a software update cause a car not to function while driving. If we would have been in a middle lane and unable to pull off on side of road we would have been required to stop and turn off car in the middle of the expressway.
The vehicle was in a front end collision and the airbags, not one single airbag deployed. This is vehicle malfunction.
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the message to service the START/STOP system was displayed. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the emergency brake activated independently. The contact had to press the START button again for the vehicle to move. The contact stated that there was an A within a circle around displayed, indicating that the START/STOP system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the "Check Electronic Throttle" message was displayed. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. A dealer was contacted. The contact stated that during the initial failure, the same message was displayed, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where a software update was performed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,365.
The steering has a very sharp plastic that can make cut to the hands while driving and cause an accident. It looks like the finish of the plastic was not done correctly so when you touch those two molding it feels sharp. Maybe the pictures does not show but definitely needs to be checked with someone put their hands on the wheel on the side steering wheel
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and approaching a red light, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate, and that the gear shifter remained in drive. The vehicle came to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway. The brake light remained illuminated. The contact waited for a while and the vehicle started to function normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The local dealer had not found a failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Showing 20 of 2,033 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact JEEP Compass
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used JEEP Compass, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The JEEP Compass has 2,033 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The JEEP Compass has 19 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 82 of the JEEP Compass's 2,033 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all JEEP Compass vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two JEEP Compass vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The JEEP Compass has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used JEEP Compass.
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JEEP Compass reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the JEEP Compass reliable?
Poor. The JEEP Compass has 2,033 NHTSA owner complaints and 19 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which JEEP Compass years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2018 (930 complaints), 2019 (325 complaints), 2017 (228 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common JEEP Compass problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (842 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (834 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (445 complaints).
Does the JEEP Compass have recalls?
Yes — 19 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the JEEP Compass. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.