Jeep Compass Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Jeep Compass model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2009 drew the fewest (64) and the 2018 the most (943).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
5 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 26 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
26 | 0 | Electrical system | 4★ | 27 |
| 2023 | 46 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 27 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
52 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | 4★ | 27 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
64 | 1 | Suspension | — | 22–25 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
80 | 1 | Power train | 3★ | 21–25 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
80 | 0 | Electrical system | 4★ | 25 |
| 2010 | 81 | 2 | Air bags | — | 22–25 |
| 2015 | 113 | 1 | Engine | — | 21–25 |
| 2020 | 141 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 25–26 |
| 2008 | 172 | 0 | Suspension | — | 22–25 |
| 2012 | 184 | 4 | Engine | — | 21–25 |
| 2011 | 187 | 3 | Power train | — | 21–25 |
| 2022 | 222 | 4 | Electrical system | 4★ | 25 |
| 2017 | 229 | 4 | Electrical system | 4★ | 21–26 |
| 2016 | 293 | 1 | Engine | — | 21–25 |
| 2014 | 307 | 2 | Air bags | 4★ | 21–25 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
329 | 2 | Engine | 4★ | 25–26 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
435 | 4 | Suspension | — | 22–24 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
943 | 6 | Engine | 4★ | 25–26 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Jeep Compass years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2018 Jeep Compass: 943 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 473 (50%); Electrical system 376 (40%); Power train 151 (16%).
Reports mention 28 crashes, 5 fires, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 18,500 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Jeep Compass: 435 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 163 (37%); Fuel/propulsion system 84 (19%); Steering 64 (15%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 8 fires, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 82,460 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Jeep Compass: 329 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 160 (49%); Electrical system 143 (43%); Service brakes 38 (12%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Jeep Compass years with the fewest complaints
2009 Jeep Compass: 64 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 22 (34%); Structure 12 (19%); Electrical system 8 (13%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 88,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2013 Jeep Compass: 80 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 27 (34%); Air bags 16 (20%); Electrical system 13 (16%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 5 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 53,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2021 Jeep Compass: 80 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 34 (43%); Engine 18 (23%); Power train 9 (11%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 2 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Jeep Compass owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 52 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 46 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2022 | 222 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 10,447 |
| 2021 | 80 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2020 | 141 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 19,126 |
| 2019 | 329 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 12,000 |
| 2018 | 943 | 28 | 5 | 18 | 0 | 18,500 |
| 2017 | 229 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2016 | 293 | 9 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2015 | 113 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2014 | 307 | 20 | 7 | 24 | 0 | 58,000 |
| 2013 | 80 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 53,000 |
| 2012 | 184 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 59,000 |
| 2011 | 187 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2010 | 81 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 2009 | 64 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 88,000 |
| 2008 | 172 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 96,000 |
| 2007 | 435 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 82,460 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Jeep Compass recalls
- Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled (2010–2014 model years; 1,435,625 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V668000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 (2022–2023 model years; 1,033,433 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2024; 24V436000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Fail to Display/FMVSS 111 (2026 model year; 844,027 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2026; 26V531000)
- Windshield Wipers May Not Operate Properly (2019–2020 model years; 425,599 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2020; 20V208000)
- Delayed Deployment or Non-Deployment of Airbags (2010–2012 model years; 254,396 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2013; 13V233000)
All 28 Jeep Compass recall campaigns · Jeep Compass problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Jeep Compass years FAQ
Which Jeep Compass year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2009 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (64). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Jeep Compass years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2018, 2007 and 2019 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Jeep Compass problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (1,262 of 3,989 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Jeep Compass have?
NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns covering the Jeep Compass. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Jeep Compass recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.