AI Damage2016 Jeep Compass: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Jeep Compass filed 293 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 90 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 293
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 90
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 46% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 135 complaints (46% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Electrical system: 62 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Powertrain: 44 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Vehicle speed control: 30 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Engine and cooling: 26 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- CVTnamed in 2 complaints
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 293 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 135 | 1 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 62 | 0 | 25 |
| Powertrain | 44 | 0 | 14 |
| Vehicle speed control | 30 | 1 | 2 |
| Engine and cooling | 26 | 0 | 13 |
| Steering | 16 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| Seats | 10 | 0 | 11 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 8 | 3 | 7 |
| Suspension | 6 | 1 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was in a head-on collision on 9/24/2020. The car is being inspected for repairs now and I am dealing with the insurance claim at this time. My airbags did not go off at a speed of 35-40 mph, striking the vehicle that was at-fault, and then a metal pole. Fortunately did not have my daughter with me.
My seatbelt never locked as I wrecked. It was buckled but never engaged. I submitted to jeep for review and they denied my claim and said the seatbelt was working properly. My seatbelt was all the way stretched out and even frayed at the top where the loop is.
On 12 jan 2017 a lady backed into my car at approx 35 mph and destroyed the passenger doors - the entire right side of the vehicle - the airbags did not deploy resulting in injuries to my son and myself. I was parking in a parking lot at the time and she was backing out at a high rate of speed without looking.
Updated 06/02/17 the sencond incident, the car was backed out and vehicle suddenly picked up speed and brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The third incident , vehicle did not stop at stop sign.
The steering wheel locked up and he crashed into a pole. My wife and I thought the steering was rough but thought it would ease up. After the car was hit the axel on the right passenger side was destroyed.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
This total engine failure disabled the vehicle on an active highway, forcing an emergency maneuver to reach the shoulder. This incident occurred less than four months after an authorized manufacturer dealership charged over $3,400 to repair the engine's air-induction vacuum and fuel systems.
Spontaneous deployment of passengers headrest . A safety system defect causing passengers concerned discomfort ! Plastic mechanism failure CANNOT be repaired. Headrest must be replaced by Jeep covered regarding the safety & security of their customers.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 212 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Compass has 198 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 293, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
- Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders
Warranty, Mopar, customer pay and service contract. Order "68" part number for New unsold units only.
- ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning…
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair…
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service…
- LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is…
LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
- FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-20 "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage - 594 / 595 / 596 WCC
- Warranty Bulletin D-16-03 - "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage - 594 / 595 / 596 WCC (Rev
- Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review…
Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review Service Library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used
- Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
- wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
- Emissions recal U67 Catalytic Converter Efficiency
NHTSA lists 90 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Fixing a Wrecked 2016 Jeep Compass I Bought From Auction For Only $1,400amount per author: 1,400 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Compass?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 293. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (40%), warning lights, check engine (29%), loss of power / limp mode (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA lists 90 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 2016 Jeep Compass 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 2016 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 2026-11-04.