Owners have filed 135 complaints
about the 2008 Jeep Compass with NHTSA between 2013 and 2024.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 19 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 — 21
Against the median year of the Jeep Compass. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 34
6.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 6
4% 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
2066.7%
Frame AND Members
516.7%
Underbody Shields
310.0%
Lower ARM
13.3%
Front
13.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
32.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
10.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
54.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2219.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
3127.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
3834.2%
150,000+ miles
119.9%
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.
Jul 2013peak 8Feb 2024
Recalls on the 2008 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 20073581,343 units in Canada
Label
Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 208 - Occupant Restraint Systems. The bilingual airbag visor warning labels may not have been installed during vehicle assembly. Correction: Owners will be provided with labels and installation instructions.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 80,000 milesFrisco, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
T-BONE ACCIDENT - 1 SUV RAN RED LIGHT - HIT JEEP AT CA. 50 MPH ON PASSENGER SIDE, AND HIT OTHER SUV WHICH WAS PARALLEL TO AND LEFT OF JEEP. JEEP TRAVELED AT CA. 20 MP (GREEN LIGHT) AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON JEEP, DID ON OTHER TWO SUVS WHICH WERE BIGGER SUVS - JEEP DRIVER SUSTAINED MANY INJURIES SINCE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY*DT
NHTSA complaint #11267201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesBaltimore, OHCrash1 injured
STEERING
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK ALL THE WAY UP. THE CAR LOCKED UP STEERING WAS UNCONTRALLOBLE BRAKES WERE LOCKING ON AND OFF LIKE JUMPING AND ALMOST HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. CAR SHUTOFF AND WENT TURN BACK ON UNTIL 5 MINUTES IN WAS IN FULL MOTION GOING 55MPH ON A CITY STREET. SCARIEST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN DRIVING. NOW THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THERE IS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME INSTANCE HAPPENING TO OTHERS. HAVING TO DO WITH WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS ALL THE WAY FULL. LITERALLY COULD HAVE DIED. SOMEONE WILL GET BADLY INJURED OR DEATH IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11232384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesBaltimore, OHCrash1 injured
ENGINE
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK ALL THE WAY UP. THE CAR LOCKED UP STEERING WAS UNCONTRALLOBLE BRAKES WERE LOCKING ON AND OFF LIKE JUMPING AND ALMOST HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. CAR SHUTOFF AND WENT TURN BACK ON UNTIL 5 MINUTES IN WAS IN FULL MOTION GOING 55MPH ON A CITY STREET. SCARIEST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN DRIVING. NOW THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THERE IS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME INSTANCE HAPPENING TO OTHERS. HAVING TO DO WITH WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS ALL THE WAY FULL. LITERALLY COULD HAVE DIED. SOMEONE WILL GET BADLY INJURED OR DEATH IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11232384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesBaltimore, OHCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK ALL THE WAY UP. THE CAR LOCKED UP STEERING WAS UNCONTRALLOBLE BRAKES WERE LOCKING ON AND OFF LIKE JUMPING AND ALMOST HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. CAR SHUTOFF AND WENT TURN BACK ON UNTIL 5 MINUTES IN WAS IN FULL MOTION GOING 55MPH ON A CITY STREET. SCARIEST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN DRIVING. NOW THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THERE IS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME INSTANCE HAPPENING TO OTHERS. HAVING TO DO WITH WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS ALL THE WAY FULL. LITERALLY COULD HAVE DIED. SOMEONE WILL GET BADLY INJURED OR DEATH IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11232384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesMonticello, MNCrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS BADLY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AN INSPECTOR WOULD BE SENT OUT. THE CONTACT CALLED RYAN AUTO MALL (CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM) AT (763) 682-2424 (1000 HIGHWAY 55 EAST, BUFFALO, MN 55313) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN INSPECTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA complaint #11075214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Coon Rapids, MN
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle stalled when waiting for lights and at low speed turning after the fuel tank was filled up. Multiple incidents had happened. No warning sign before the incident happened. Very dangerous because the vehicle stalled in moving traffic suddenly. Also, there was a gasoline smell near the vehicle when parked. Several mechanics tried to find the issue but failed.
NHTSA complaint #11573151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Robert, MO
POWER TRAIN
I bought this vehicle in nov of 2021 took it to local mechanic who quoted me 1000 to fix it completely so I did a little at a time the suspension control arms and rockers completely bad! Now the vehicle only has130000 miles on it and the CVT worst transmission ever is going out which is 5000 to fix I can’t believe there is no recall knowing these vehicles have and are know for bad transmissions so now I am not only out a vehicle I am out the money I spent on buying this vehicle not to mention what I have spent to fix it!
NHTSA complaint #11451622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Robert, MO
SUSPENSION
I bought this vehicle in nov of 2021 took it to local mechanic who quoted me 1000 to fix it completely so I did a little at a time the suspension control arms and rockers completely bad! Now the vehicle only has130000 miles on it and the CVT worst transmission ever is going out which is 5000 to fix I can’t believe there is no recall knowing these vehicles have and are know for bad transmissions so now I am not only out a vehicle I am out the money I spent on buying this vehicle not to mention what I have spent to fix it!
NHTSA complaint #11451622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Girard, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY
Front and Rear Crossmember Corrosion (X69 Warranty Extension) - 2008-2012 Dodge Caliber & Jeep Compass/Patriot- NHTSA ID # 10140027 My Daughter was recently given a 2008 Jeep Compass by a family member for her 16th birthday. We took it to our local Auto serviceman who checked the car out, and made us aware of the Warranty Extension b/c the Font Crossmembers are rusted out. We live in Ohio and would qualify for the Warranty, yet the car is past the 10 year timeframe. Other than this issue, the car is in great shape, only 85K miles. I contacted the dealership and Chrysler about the issue, and both said they would not honor the warranty. My questions are, is there anything else I can do, and if this is done as an extended warranty, are all customers formally notified? Why would the dealership not ever recommend the fix if they serviced the car, which according to this family member, never happened? There has been no accident, but the car rattles a little when driven, so I want to fix it before something does happen.
NHTSA complaint #11443771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,000 milesClearfield, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE STALLS OUT AFTER FILLING GAS TANK WITH FUEL. IT STALLS WHILE IDLING IN PARK AND IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AFTER ROME ONLINE SEARCHING, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE VAPOR/LIQUID SEPARATOR VALVE IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK NOT STOPPING THE CHARCOAL FILTER FROM BEING FLOODED WITH FUEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE MONTH SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT LAST HAPPENED ON 09/10/2020
NHTSA complaint #11354299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I BOUGHT A USED VEHICLE FROM A SMALL PRIVATE USED DEALERSHIP IN LAS VEGAS NV BELIEVING IT HAD 134000 MILES WHEN IN REALITY THEY KNEW THAT WAS NOT THE REAL MILEAGE IT HAS OVER 172,000 CANT GET MY MONEY BACK CZ THEY SAY I BOUGHT IT HAS IS THEY TAMPER WITH THE ODOMETER AND LIE TO ME I WAS RECENTLY AWARE WHEN I GOT INSURANCE FROM GEICO IT WAS THERE WHEN I SAW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE VEHICLE TRUE HISTORY AND ODOMETER THE DEALERSHIP NAME IS EMPORIO AUTO SALES LOCATED 2685 N NELLIS BLVD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89115.
NHTSA complaint #11351138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
ENGINE
I BOUGHT A USED VEHICLE FROM A SMALL PRIVATE USED DEALERSHIP IN LAS VEGAS NV BELIEVING IT HAD 134000 MILES WHEN IN REALITY THEY KNEW THAT WAS NOT THE REAL MILEAGE IT HAS OVER 172,000 CANT GET MY MONEY BACK CZ THEY SAY I BOUGHT IT HAS IS THEY TAMPER WITH THE ODOMETER AND LIE TO ME I WAS RECENTLY AWARE WHEN I GOT INSURANCE FROM GEICO IT WAS THERE WHEN I SAW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE VEHICLE TRUE HISTORY AND ODOMETER THE DEALERSHIP NAME IS EMPORIO AUTO SALES LOCATED 2685 N NELLIS BLVD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89115.
NHTSA complaint #11351138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesFredericktown, OH
SUSPENSION
MY SUBFRAME HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. MY LOCAL DEALER INFORMED ME IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I SEE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WHICH IS WHY YOU EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT NOBODY INFORMED US ABOUT IT! THE DESIGN OF THIS MODEL IS FLAWED; THE PARTS ARE INFERIOR FOR A SNOWBELT STATE AND TO TOP IT OFF THE EXHAUST FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS DIRECTLY ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME. 3 SEPARATE MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED; I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR PARTS YOU KNOW ARE NO GOOD. PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE GOING TO STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCTS! WE OWN A COMPANY AND HAVE SEVERAL JEEP VEHICLES BUT IF THIS IS NOT FIXED WE WILL BE TRADING THEM ALL IN AND WILL MOVE TO ANOTHER VENDOR WHO WILL STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND WANTS TO KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFE! EVEN THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS WAS RIDICULOUS AND THAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING A RECALL ON THIS!
NHTSA complaint #11341824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesEstillfork, AL
ENGINE
BALANCE SHAFT MODULE HAS LEFT METAL IN OUR OIL.IT WENT BAD CAUSING OUR ENGINE TO GO DEAD WHILE WE WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE.
NHTSA complaint #11322852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hartford, CT
AIR BAGS
THE JEEP COMPASS 2008 TRUCK WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT TURN ON THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND IT STARTED TO TURN IT OF AND BACK ON UNTIL IT JUST LEFT A SOLID AIRBAG LIGHT. MY VEHICLE HASN'T IN NO ACCIDENTS OR ANY OFF RODE USE.
NHTSA complaint #11320366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Springfield, MA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STILL IS ON. I'M AFRAID THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK IF I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11310689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesSioux Falls, SD
STRUCTURE:BODY
2008 JEEP PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2010. IN 2019 WITH ONLY 71,000 MILES AND NOW VIISIBLE RUST ON THE VEHICLE, MY MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH WITH RUST AND WAS SOFT AND THE SUBFRAME NEEDS REPLACING ($1,750). I CONTACTED FCA (FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILE) AND THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.
NHTSA complaint #11280162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesRedford, MI
SUSPENSION
REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACED. CAR HAS ONLY 97000 MILES ON IT. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE THIS RUSTED, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE REAR SUBFRAMES, AND ADD ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11269308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesFrisco, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
T-BONE ACCIDENT - 1 SUV RAN RED LIGHT - HIT JEEP AT CA. 50 MPH ON PASSENGER SIDE, AND HIT OTHER SUV WHICH WAS PARALLEL TO AND LEFT OF JEEP. JEEP TRAVELED AT CA. 20 MP (GREEN LIGHT) AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON JEEP, DID ON OTHER TWO SUVS WHICH WERE BIGGER SUVS - JEEP DRIVER SUSTAINED MANY INJURIES SINCE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY*DT
NHTSA complaint #11267201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesBaltimore, OHCrash1 injured
STEERING
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK ALL THE WAY UP. THE CAR LOCKED UP STEERING WAS UNCONTRALLOBLE BRAKES WERE LOCKING ON AND OFF LIKE JUMPING AND ALMOST HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. CAR SHUTOFF AND WENT TURN BACK ON UNTIL 5 MINUTES IN WAS IN FULL MOTION GOING 55MPH ON A CITY STREET. SCARIEST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN DRIVING. NOW THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THERE IS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME INSTANCE HAPPENING TO OTHERS. HAVING TO DO WITH WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS ALL THE WAY FULL. LITERALLY COULD HAVE DIED. SOMEONE WILL GET BADLY INJURED OR DEATH IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11232384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesBaltimore, OHCrash1 injured
ENGINE
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK ALL THE WAY UP. THE CAR LOCKED UP STEERING WAS UNCONTRALLOBLE BRAKES WERE LOCKING ON AND OFF LIKE JUMPING AND ALMOST HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. CAR SHUTOFF AND WENT TURN BACK ON UNTIL 5 MINUTES IN WAS IN FULL MOTION GOING 55MPH ON A CITY STREET. SCARIEST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN DRIVING. NOW THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THERE IS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME INSTANCE HAPPENING TO OTHERS. HAVING TO DO WITH WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS ALL THE WAY FULL. LITERALLY COULD HAVE DIED. SOMEONE WILL GET BADLY INJURED OR DEATH IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11232384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesBaltimore, OHCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK ALL THE WAY UP. THE CAR LOCKED UP STEERING WAS UNCONTRALLOBLE BRAKES WERE LOCKING ON AND OFF LIKE JUMPING AND ALMOST HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. CAR SHUTOFF AND WENT TURN BACK ON UNTIL 5 MINUTES IN WAS IN FULL MOTION GOING 55MPH ON A CITY STREET. SCARIEST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN DRIVING. NOW THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THERE IS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME INSTANCE HAPPENING TO OTHERS. HAVING TO DO WITH WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS ALL THE WAY FULL. LITERALLY COULD HAVE DIED. SOMEONE WILL GET BADLY INJURED OR DEATH IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11232384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 206,000 milesLehighton, PA
POWER TRAIN
AFTER REFUELING WITHIN 1-2 MILES SPITS SPUDERS BUCKS, THEN STALLS! SAFTY IS AT ISSUE OF CAUSING A ACCIDENT OR GETTING HIT!!!! MAKE JEEP ACCOUNTABLE! HAPPENS EVERTIME NOW 6 MOS.
NHTSA complaint #11230824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 206,000 milesLehighton, PA
ENGINE
AFTER REFUELING WITHIN 1-2 MILES SPITS SPUDERS BUCKS, THEN STALLS! SAFTY IS AT ISSUE OF CAUSING A ACCIDENT OR GETTING HIT!!!! MAKE JEEP ACCOUNTABLE! HAPPENS EVERTIME NOW 6 MOS.
NHTSA complaint #11230824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 206,000 milesLehighton, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER REFUELING WITHIN 1-2 MILES SPITS SPUDERS BUCKS, THEN STALLS! SAFTY IS AT ISSUE OF CAUSING A ACCIDENT OR GETTING HIT!!!! MAKE JEEP ACCOUNTABLE! HAPPENS EVERTIME NOW 6 MOS.
NHTSA complaint #11230824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesCircle Pines, MN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR A FRONT END NOISE. MECHANIC DETERMINED MY FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER ESPECIALLY THE FRONT WERE ROTTED OUT WITH HOLES. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CAR COMPANY DATED 2/15/2017 THAT CAR WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR TEN YEARS. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT IDENTIFIED UNTIL 2019 I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 12/2018. CAR CO. SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I WOULD THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, QUITE A SAFETY ISSUE WE ARE LEFT TO SUCK IT UP. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THIS TO LIGHT. I FEEL THE COMPANY IS GETTING AWAY WITH A DANGEROUS EXPENSIVE OOPS.
NHTSA complaint #11221075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55 milesDayton, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I CAN BE AT FULL SPEED MY CAR WOULD REDUCE SPEED OR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #11204107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55 milesDayton, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I CAN BE AT FULL SPEED MY CAR WOULD REDUCE SPEED OR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #11204107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55 milesDayton, OH
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I CAN BE AT FULL SPEED MY CAR WOULD REDUCE SPEED OR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #11204107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,468 milesToledo, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY
I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE CROSSMEMBER ON MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS IN THE FRONT DUE TO CORROSION CAUSING STEERING ISSUES WHEN TURNING (LOUD CLUNK SOUND). THE COST IS EXPENSIVE AND I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR CROSSMEMBER AS WELL. I WAS ALSO UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL AND NEVER CONTACTED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO COME IN FOR REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11203956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.