AI Damage2009 Jeep Compass FWD: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Jeep Compass FWD filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 40% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 40% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 20% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- Structure: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Suspension: 2 complaints (40% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 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.
While driving the left (front driver side) lower control arm fell free from the steering knuckle which attaches it to the wheel, causing significant reduction in the ability to steer and eventually the lower control arm (moving lose under the car), became lodged between the wheel rim and the brake assembly causing the…
It has rapidly rusted out (sub frame). I have owned it for a year and a half and it was not that way when I bought it. Is there a recall?
While driving from norcal to socal driving 80+mph for 2 or more hours the engine light came on and I started to loose power-pulled off the road let it cool down and it restarted and drove 65 the rest of the way with no other problems.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 14,283 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Compass FWD has 17 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Jeep Compass FWD?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, suspension, engine. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (20%), rust, corrosion (20%), smoke, burning smell, fire (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Jeep Compass FWD?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 Jeep Compass FWD from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
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 2026-11-06.