Jeep Compass years to avoid (and the best years)
3,297 NHTSA owner complaints and 22 recalls across 16 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 3,297complaints
- 22recalls
- 138reported crashes
- 42reported fires
- 107reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Jeep Compass years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Jeep Compass years to avoid are 2018 and 2019. The typical Jeep Compass year has 162 complaints on file.
- 2018: 941 complaints, 5.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (51% of complaints) and the electrical system (40% of complaints).
- 2019: 329 complaints, 2.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (50% of complaints) and the electrical system (43% of complaints).
What are the best Jeep Compass years?
The Jeep Compass years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (45), 2010 (71) and 2021 (80). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 0.2× | 0 | 5 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 52 | 0.3× | 0 | 6 | 3 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2023 | 45 | 0.3× | 2 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 222 | 1.4× | 4 | 11 | 6 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 80 | 0.5× | 0 | 5 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 139 | 0.9× | 1 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 329 | 2.0× | 2 | 13 | 5 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2018 | 941 | 5.8× | 6 | 28 | 18 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2017 | 229 | 1.4× | 4 | 10 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 293 | 1.8× | 1 | 9 | 15 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 113 | 0.7× | 1 | 4 | 7 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 306 | 1.9× | 2 | 20 | 24 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2013 | 80 | 0.5× | 1 | 7 | 6 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2012 | 184 | 1.1× | 4 | 3 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Fuel system |
| 2011 | 187 | 1.2× | 3 | 7 | 5 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 71 | 0.4× | 2 | 5 | 7 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 830 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain292 (35%)
- Electrical & infotainment268 (32%)
- Steering, suspension & tires65 (8%)
- Structure & body59 (7%)
- Airbags & seat belts51 (6%)
Recalls (22)
Safety · 24V436000 · Jun 2024 · model years 2022, 2023
A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V576000 · Aug 2023 · model years 2022, 2023
An IPC display that is not bright enough may not clearly show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V058000 · Feb 2023 · model year 2022
An instrument panel display that is not visible to the driver may result in the inability to see safety-critical information, such as the fuel gauge and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V248000 · Apr 2022 · model year 2022
Improperly welded head restraints can result in an increased risk of injury to seat occupants during a crash.
Body & glass · 20V208000 · Apr 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V524000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 18V523000 · Aug 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 18V279000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
If the lower control arm separates, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V824000 · Dec 2017 · model year 2017
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Electrical system · 17V740000 · Nov 2017 · model years 2017, 2018
An instrument cluster that is too bright, and cannot be dimmed, can reduce the driver's ability to see at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V732000 · Nov 2017 · model year 2018
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, unsecured inflator mounting nuts outside of the cushion assembly are potential projectiles that may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Engine · 17V670000 · Oct 2017 · model year 2018
If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V433000 · Jul 2017 · model year 2017
If a customer follows the User's Guide, they may hook up the battery jumper cables incorrectly, increasing their risk of injury.
Transmission · 17V301000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
If the left front halfshaft disengages or breaks, the vehicle will have a loss of drive. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without using the parking brake, the vehicle may roll, despite being in 'Park.' Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 16V907000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2016
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 16V668000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
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.
Steering · 15V878000 · Dec 2015 · model year 2015
If the power steering fluid return hose detaches, it would leak fluid and increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 13V552000 · Nov 2013 · model year 2014
If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 13V233000 · Jun 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
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.
Fuel system · 13V120000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2012
If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 12V142000 · Apr 2012 · model year 2012
IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT OR ROLL-OVER, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Steering · 11V315000 · Jun 2011 · model year 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.