AI DamageJeep Compass 4X4: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Jeep Compass 4X4 across 3 model years: 218 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 47% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 22% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 19% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 4% of all complaints
- Suspension: 103 complaints (47% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 48 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 42 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 29 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 19 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 218 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 103 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 48 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 42 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The front subframe is completely rusted out. Had to have vehicle towed home because the front wheels look like a bow-legged cowboy because the subframe basically snapped as we were driving. Apparently this has been an ongoing issue and jeep refuses to recall this.
After examination of the engine cradle/sub frame by a mechanic and myself it was discovered that the engine cradle/sub frame had rusted so severely that broke in half under the normal weight and driving stresses of the vehicle.
Jeep compass stalls after refueling in motion on highway, steering locks up when car stalls and makes jeep uncontrollable. Had jeep towed to dealer and they found a bad charcoal canister was "full of fuel" replaced canister drove for one week and refueled managed to go 1 mile and jeep stalled again at about 45 mph .
Driving and sugar dropped I hit a tree. Side air bags deployed but front airbag did not. I hit the tree head on. 2007 jeep compass.
Upon inspection it was discovered that her rear crossmember had rusted into. I searched and found that there had at one time been a recall on this particular part due to excessive rust from the salt belt states.
While servicing his wife's vehicle, the contact noticed lots of rust and holes on the subframe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.