Owners have filed 396 complaints
about the 2007 Jeep Compass with NHTSA between 2007 and 2026.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 19 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 61
Against the median year of the Jeep Compass. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 46
8.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 28
17% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Body
2032.3%
Front
1829.0%
TIE ROD Assembly
69.7%
Rear
58.1%
Automatic Transmission
58.1%
Lower Ball Joint
46.5%
Automatic Emergency Braking
23.2%
Underbody Shields
23.2%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
123.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
216.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
5417.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
5015.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
4915.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
8326.3%
150,000+ miles
4614.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2007peak 11May 2026
Recalls on the 2007 Jeep Compass
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20101845,646 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, the accelerator pedal pivot bearing bushings may dislodge from the pedal bushing bearing pockets and cause the accelerator pedal to bind or stick. Even though these vehicles are equipped with "Smart Brake technology", where the engine controller is designed to reduce engine power when a disagreement between the throttle and the brake exists, the risk of a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death still exist. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the accelerator pedal assembly.
Recall 2007140117 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Certain vehicles fail to comply with CMVSS 108 - Lighting Systems & Retroreflective Devices. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) were not properly configured during vehicle assembly and, as a result, may not be functional. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if required, update the DRL configuration.
Recall 200713989 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the length of the rear wheel hub mounting bolts may prevent proper actuation of the park brake. This could allow unintended movement of the vehicle under certain conditions and cause a crash without warning. Correction: Dealers will replace the rear wheel hub mounting bolts and brake cable equalizer, and adjust the park brake system.
Recall 20063735,886 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) control module software may cause the rear brakes to lock-up during certain braking conditions. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control unit.
Recall 20063151,650 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, the owner's manual does not contain information concerning a higher risk of rollover and special features for occasional off-road operation. Canadian regulations in this area differ from those in the United States and thus Canadian vehicles are not out of compliance. However, the visor label does refer to the owner's manual for further higher risk rollover information, therefore, DaimlerChrysler will mail an addendum card for insertion into the owner's manual. A bilingual visor label will also be included as part of this mailing for use as required.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 160,000 milesPensacola, FLFire
SUSPENSION
MY 2007 JEEP COMPASS WAS JUST SITTING IN THE YARD NOT BEING DRIVEN WAS NOT HOT AND IT JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME AND ASSIST WITH PUT IN THE FIRE OUT THE FIRE CHIEF STATED FROM HIS INVESTIGATION THAT IT WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FROM THE LIGHTS AND AS I SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING OPERATED AND THE LIGHTS WAS NOT ON
NHTSA complaint #11388488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesPensacola, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2007 JEEP COMPASS WAS JUST SITTING IN THE YARD NOT BEING DRIVEN WAS NOT HOT AND IT JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME AND ASSIST WITH PUT IN THE FIRE OUT THE FIRE CHIEF STATED FROM HIS INVESTIGATION THAT IT WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FROM THE LIGHTS AND AS I SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING OPERATED AND THE LIGHTS WAS NOT ON
NHTSA complaint #11388488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesPensacola, FLFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY 2007 JEEP COMPASS WAS JUST SITTING IN THE YARD NOT BEING DRIVEN WAS NOT HOT AND IT JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME AND ASSIST WITH PUT IN THE FIRE OUT THE FIRE CHIEF STATED FROM HIS INVESTIGATION THAT IT WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FROM THE LIGHTS AND AS I SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING OPERATED AND THE LIGHTS WAS NOT ON
NHTSA complaint #11388488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesGrand Rapids, MI1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BLOOD HAS BEEN DRAWN, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF SKIN WAS REMOVED. THE UPPER METAL LATCH FOR THE GLOVE BOX HAS A KNIFE EDGE. IT IS APPARENT THAT THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO FILE THE EDGE DULL BEFORE IT WAS PAINTED OVER. THIS IS LOCATED IN AN AREA WHERE HANDS ARE SUPPOSED TO REACH IN. A COMPETENT SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH A METAL FILE AND A PAINT PEN CAN REMEDY THIS IN ONE MINUTE. I DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO BE SIMILARLY INJURED. PLEASE ENFORCE A RECALL. THANKS FOR GIVING THIS YOUR ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #11349591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesElizabeth, PACrash
SUSPENSION
THE UNDERNEATHETH IS ROTTED AND THERE WAS A SECRET RECALL! BECAUSE AS A OWNER OF A JEEP I EVER GOT A LETTER AND IF YOU LOOK ONLINE ALMOST EVERYONE WITH THIS YEAR JEEP HAS THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11192709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesElizabeth, PACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE UNDERNEATHETH IS ROTTED AND THERE WAS A SECRET RECALL! BECAUSE AS A OWNER OF A JEEP I EVER GOT A LETTER AND IF YOU LOOK ONLINE ALMOST EVERYONE WITH THIS YEAR JEEP HAS THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11192709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Rock Springs, WY
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle stopped acceleration at highway speeds on way to work in narrow highway stopping traffic and semitrucks narrowly missing collision. Dealership states the transmission cvt was leaking and therefore caused the issue that costly repairs are unaffordable for me. Bought used from private party a month before the incident now leaving me no funds to repair and no transportation to return to work.
NHTSA complaint #11736068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rock Springs, WY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Vehicle stopped acceleration at highway speeds on way to work in narrow highway stopping traffic and semitrucks narrowly missing collision. Dealership states the transmission cvt was leaking and therefore caused the issue that costly repairs are unaffordable for me. Bought used from private party a month before the incident now leaving me no funds to repair and no transportation to return to work.
NHTSA complaint #11736068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rock Springs, WY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle stopped acceleration at highway speeds on way to work in narrow highway stopping traffic and semitrucks narrowly missing collision. Dealership states the transmission cvt was leaking and therefore caused the issue that costly repairs are unaffordable for me. Bought used from private party a month before the incident now leaving me no funds to repair and no transportation to return to work.
NHTSA complaint #11736068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rock Springs, WY
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH the vehicle stop accelerating. The vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehilce local dealer where it was due to the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a opened case. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11735852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rock Springs, WY
POWER TRAIN
Upon driving on the highway the engine begins to make a hissing sound . Then the the car begins to feel like its slowly braking. From there It slowly loses power . The accelerator does nothing. This happened when my son I his [XXX] was drive me to airport through [XXX] mountains. Had to pull over many times eventually getting and Uber from gas station to make flight. Very unsafe condition and is need of repairs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11731873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rock Springs, WY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Upon driving on the highway the engine begins to make a hissing sound . Then the the car begins to feel like its slowly braking. From there It slowly loses power . The accelerator does nothing. This happened when my son I his [XXX] was drive me to airport through [XXX] mountains. Had to pull over many times eventually getting and Uber from gas station to make flight. Very unsafe condition and is need of repairs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11731873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rock Springs, WY
ENGINE
Upon driving on the highway the engine begins to make a hissing sound . Then the the car begins to feel like its slowly braking. From there It slowly loses power . The accelerator does nothing. This happened when my son I his [XXX] was drive me to airport through [XXX] mountains. Had to pull over many times eventually getting and Uber from gas station to make flight. Very unsafe condition and is need of repairs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11731873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
san Diego, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
dashboard had check engine light on. transaxle indicator light turned on when i was driving about 65 mph on the freeway and slowed down and wouldn’t accelerate. The large commercial truck behind me was unable to stop on time that it almost hit us behind. There was a construction on my right lane and cars on my left lane. it took me some seconds to reach the end of construction site in my right lane. A second or two more not changing lane to my right side would have hit me and my children. All the truck driver was able to do was pressed on the horn to make me aware that he is too close behind me. Changed of speed in a freeway that fast could have killed me and my kids. i have not been able to drive in the Freeway with this car and even if i get it fixed, I still won’t feel safe to drive it. The car runs fine when the transaxle light doesn’t come on. certain movement, light turns on and off.
NHTSA complaint #11554762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
san Diego, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
dashboard had check engine light on. transaxle indicator light turned on when i was driving about 65 mph on the freeway and slowed down and wouldn’t accelerate. The large commercial truck behind me was unable to stop on time that it almost hit us behind. There was a construction on my right lane and cars on my left lane. it took me some seconds to reach the end of construction site in my right lane. A second or two more not changing lane to my right side would have hit me and my children. All the truck driver was able to do was pressed on the horn to make me aware that he is too close behind me. Changed of speed in a freeway that fast could have killed me and my kids. i have not been able to drive in the Freeway with this car and even if i get it fixed, I still won’t feel safe to drive it. The car runs fine when the transaxle light doesn’t come on. certain movement, light turns on and off.
NHTSA complaint #11554762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
san Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
dashboard had check engine light on. transaxle indicator light turned on when i was driving about 65 mph on the freeway and slowed down and wouldn’t accelerate. The large commercial truck behind me was unable to stop on time that it almost hit us behind. There was a construction on my right lane and cars on my left lane. it took me some seconds to reach the end of construction site in my right lane. A second or two more not changing lane to my right side would have hit me and my children. All the truck driver was able to do was pressed on the horn to make me aware that he is too close behind me. Changed of speed in a freeway that fast could have killed me and my kids. i have not been able to drive in the Freeway with this car and even if i get it fixed, I still won’t feel safe to drive it. The car runs fine when the transaxle light doesn’t come on. certain movement, light turns on and off.
NHTSA complaint #11554762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denmark, WI
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle has a problem that it will stall out after filling up with gas. The timing of the stall out is such that within a minute or two of leaving the gas station and pulling into traffic, the vehicle will buck and the motor will shut off. when this happens, the vehicle also loses power steering and brakes. This creates an INCREDIBLY dangerous situation as the driver essentially has no control any longer. It is a consistent, repeatable problem that occurs every time the vehicle is filled with gas.
NHTSA complaint #11531942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denmark, WI
STEERING
The vehicle has a problem that it will stall out after filling up with gas. The timing of the stall out is such that within a minute or two of leaving the gas station and pulling into traffic, the vehicle will buck and the motor will shut off. when this happens, the vehicle also loses power steering and brakes. This creates an INCREDIBLY dangerous situation as the driver essentially has no control any longer. It is a consistent, repeatable problem that occurs every time the vehicle is filled with gas.
NHTSA complaint #11531942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denmark, WI
ENGINE
The vehicle has a problem that it will stall out after filling up with gas. The timing of the stall out is such that within a minute or two of leaving the gas station and pulling into traffic, the vehicle will buck and the motor will shut off. when this happens, the vehicle also loses power steering and brakes. This creates an INCREDIBLY dangerous situation as the driver essentially has no control any longer. It is a consistent, repeatable problem that occurs every time the vehicle is filled with gas.
NHTSA complaint #11531942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westland, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
Handbrake won’t lock brakes grinding bad problems Coming To Complete stop emergency brake Won’t go Off
NHTSA complaint #11525323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Handbrake won’t lock brakes grinding bad problems Coming To Complete stop emergency brake Won’t go Off
NHTSA complaint #11525323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cascade, WI
STEERING
The frame Infront where the motor and steering attach rotted completely threw, separated at the weld. It is a safety hazard where steering is affected. The dash lights for the traction, abs, and even the cruise control are on and those items are no longer functional. This car was purchased in 2017, Holiday automotive in Fondulac, Wi with this condition apparent. The mechanic who changed my oil reported it to me in the spring of 2018. And as of this spring the car is undrivable as it is broken. If this were to break while someone were driving it, an accident would happen.
NHTSA complaint #11495259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cascade, WI
SUSPENSION
The frame Infront where the motor and steering attach rotted completely threw, separated at the weld. It is a safety hazard where steering is affected. The dash lights for the traction, abs, and even the cruise control are on and those items are no longer functional. This car was purchased in 2017, Holiday automotive in Fondulac, Wi with this condition apparent. The mechanic who changed my oil reported it to me in the spring of 2018. And as of this spring the car is undrivable as it is broken. If this were to break while someone were driving it, an accident would happen.
NHTSA complaint #11495259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cascade, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame Infront where the motor and steering attach rotted completely threw, separated at the weld. It is a safety hazard where steering is affected. The dash lights for the traction, abs, and even the cruise control are on and those items are no longer functional. This car was purchased in 2017, Holiday automotive in Fondulac, Wi with this condition apparent. The mechanic who changed my oil reported it to me in the spring of 2018. And as of this spring the car is undrivable as it is broken. If this were to break while someone were driving it, an accident would happen.
NHTSA complaint #11495259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanford, KY
ENGINE
Every time I fill up my gas tank the car will stall and shut down in the middle of the road. This is extremely dangerous as I need to put my car in park to restart it.
NHTSA complaint #11494813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanford, KY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Every time I fill up my gas tank the car will stall and shut down in the middle of the road. This is extremely dangerous as I need to put my car in park to restart it.
NHTSA complaint #11494813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinellas Park, FL
SUSPENSION
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11472296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinellas Park, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11472296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #11472296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesSaint Joseph, MI
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a clunking noise present while making right and left turns. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe of the vehicle was faulty due to severe rust and corrosion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who confirmed the diagnoses. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated the vehicle was serviced in 2014 under a Manufacturers Service Campaign. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11464157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesWarrenville, IL
SUSPENSION:REAR
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal clanking sound was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear strut assembly was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11446010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.