Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 3 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

3 total · 3 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Seat belts recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V668000 · Sep 2016

If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 13V233000 · Jun 2013

In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Steering recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V315000 · Jun 2011

A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

187 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
81

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 38transmission slipping 22
A recent report: [XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] 2/7/26 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern regarding ongoing, critical safety issues with my vehicle, which have been increasingly dangerous…
Read full complaint

[XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] 2/7/26 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern regarding ongoing, critical safety issues with my vehicle, which have been increasingly dangerous while driving. These issues appear to be interconnected and involve multiple components, including the valve body, transmission, TCM, ABS module, ECM, and throttle body. These problems have posed significant risks to my safety and the safety of others on the road. On several occasions, while driving at highway speeds (approximately 70 mph), the traction control and ABS warning lights have illuminated, and the vehicle has suddenly lost acceleration. This malfunction seems to cause the car to change gears unexpectedly or, in some instances, stop accelerating altogether. As a result, I have been forced to pull over to the side of the road in order to perform a YouTube-suggested reset just to get my vehicle back in motion. This situation has nearly led to accidents, as I have found myself stranded in traffic, unable to accelerate, or worse, pulling into traffic where the car fails to accelerate, almost causing collisions with other vehicles. Additionally, during colder weather, I have experienced issues with the throttle, where it becomes erratic and unresponsive. Despite having multiple repairs made, the problem persists, and I have observed that the throttle may either rev unexpectedly or fail to shift at all. While I understand that some repairs have been made, I am deeply concerned that the vehicle's ongoing malfunctions are indicative of serious safety hazards, which should be addressed by a professional dealership, at no cost rather than being dismissed with the assertion that "it won’t hurt anything." Given the potential for life-threatening incidents and the fact that I have already had several close calls, I strongly urge that these issues be diagnosed and rectified by a certified dealership or technician. , ran out of spac INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11716492 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
17

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 6software faults 6
A recent report: WIPERS GO OFF WHEN MAKING A TURN AND/OR TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT ON. VEHICLE RANDOMLY GETS ENGINE LIGHT ON COLD DAYS (NEW ENGLAND WINTERS). THE JEEP WILL JOLT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR STALL FOR A…
Read full complaint

WIPERS GO OFF WHEN MAKING A TURN AND/OR TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT ON. VEHICLE RANDOMLY GETS ENGINE LIGHT ON COLD DAYS (NEW ENGLAND WINTERS). THE JEEP WILL JOLT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR STALL FOR A MOMENT BEFORE BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN STOPPED (AT A LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE) AND SOME NIGHTS THE JEEP WILL NOT ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN PUSHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATE AND NO "REVVING" SOUND OCCURS AS THOUGH THE CAR DOES NOT REGISTER THAT IT NEEDS TO ACCELERATE AND ACCELERATION SLOWLY INCREASES TO NO MORE THAN 25-30 MPH AND STALLS AT AN INCLINE. NO LIGHT COMES ON WHEN ACCELERATING ISSUES OCCUR. WHEN ACCELERATING ISSUES OCCUR, THEY TEN TO OCCUR INNER CITY RATHER THAN HIGHWAY.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11376910 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash.

loss of braking 2airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: speedometer doesn't work, ABS, Brakes, engine and traction light keeps on. THE SHIFT LEVER CHANGES BY ITSELF FROM D TO M while driving. ABS module has to be replaced at my cost when other 2011 jeep…
Read full complaint

speedometer doesn't work, ABS, Brakes, engine and traction light keeps on. THE SHIFT LEVER CHANGES BY ITSELF FROM D TO M while driving. ABS module has to be replaced at my cost when other 2011 jeep compass have a recall F 50 for the same issue.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11627421 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
17

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 3corrosion 3
A recent report: The rear subframe and suspension are rusted. I have been hearing a rattling sound for the past couple of weeks, especially when driving over bumps. When I took the car to my mechanic, he detected a…
Read full complaint

The rear subframe and suspension are rusted. I have been hearing a rattling sound for the past couple of weeks, especially when driving over bumps. When I took the car to my mechanic, he detected a cracking in the rear subframe/suspension due to the rust. If this would totally break it would be a substantial safety risk to myself, the driver, as well as other drivers on the road. No warning lights or messages appeared on the car to warn of this problem.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11570274 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
15

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 4software faults 1
A recent report: FOR OVER TWO YEARS MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I TRIED TO LOCATED THE A POSSINLE FUSE BUT FOUND THE FUSE BOX WAS MISLABLED ON THE DIAGRAM. CHECK YOU TUBE AND DIAGRAM IN MANUAL DID NOT MATCH. SO I…
Read full complaint

FOR OVER TWO YEARS MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I TRIED TO LOCATED THE A POSSINLE FUSE BUT FOUND THE FUSE BOX WAS MISLABLED ON THE DIAGRAM. CHECK YOU TUBE AND DIAGRAM IN MANUAL DID NOT MATCH. SO I LIVED WITH THE ISSUE BECAUSE FOR INSPECTION IT DID NOT AFFECT EMMISSIONS. NOW THAR I AM PASSING THE VEHICAL TO MY DAUGHTER I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ALONG WITH A STEERING NUT TO CHECK. I WANT THE VWHICLE TO BE SAFE FOR HER. I ALREADY PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE JEEP FROM A NEW TRANSMISSION, WIRING CONCERNS LOCATED UNDER DRIVERS FRONT TIRE, TIMING BELT AND GENERAL MAINTAINANCE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11354661 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
39

Most reports here involve corrosion. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

corrosion 29loss of steering 3
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and was difficult the steer. The vehicle…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and was difficult the steer. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the front subframe had failed due to severe corrosion, causing damage to the engine bay, and causing the engine and transmission to lower. The subframe and front lower control arms were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Recently, while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 98,500.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11679034 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
11

Most reports here involve fire. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

fire 1
A recent report: Headrest clips broke and popped out

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11538741 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 187 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2026, roughly 13 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 187 complaints on file, more than the 2010 (71) and more than the 2012 (184). Of the 16 model years of the Jeep Compass we cover, the 2018 has the most (941). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.