Jeep Compass: best & worst years

Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Jeep Compass years to approach with the most caution are 2018. The strongest years in our data are 2023 and 2024. Below is every model year we cover (2007–2024), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.

Every Jeep Compass year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2024 Recommended 7 Forward-collision warning / automatic emergency braking activates with no obstacle present, causing abrupt unexpected braking.; Electrical faults: battery failures and auto start/stop malfunctions causing power loss or no-start.; Engine stalling and transmission hesitation reported by some owners, often without a warning light. Full report ↗
2023 Recommended 7 Forward-collision warning / automatic emergency braking activates with no obstacle present, causing abrupt unexpected braking.; Electrical faults: battery failures and auto start/stop malfunctions causing power loss or no-start.; Engine stalling and transmission hesitation reported by some owners, often without a warning light. Full report ↗
2022 Caution 6 Forward-collision warning / automatic emergency braking activates with no obstacle present, causing abrupt unexpected braking.; Electrical faults: battery failures and auto start/stop malfunctions causing power loss or no-start.; Engine stalling and transmission hesitation reported by some owners, often without a warning light. Full report ↗
2021 Caution 6 Engine stalls or loses power while driving, including a false "coolant temperature too high" warning that triggers a sudden shutdown.; Electrical and auto start/stop faults: battery drain, dashboard warnings and failure to restart at stops.; Excessive oil consumption and MultiAir-actuator faults on the 2.4L engine. Full report ↗
2020 Caution 6 Engine stalls or loses power while driving, including a false "coolant temperature too high" warning that triggers a sudden shutdown.; Electrical and auto start/stop faults: battery drain, dashboard warnings and failure to restart at stops.; Excessive oil consumption and MultiAir-actuator faults on the 2.4L engine. Full report ↗
2019 Caution 5 Engine stalls or loses power while driving, including a false "coolant temperature too high" warning that triggers a sudden shutdown.; Electrical and auto start/stop faults: battery drain, dashboard warnings and failure to restart at stops.; Excessive oil consumption and MultiAir-actuator faults on the 2.4L engine. Full report ↗
2016 Caution 5 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.; Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action). Full report ↗
2015 Caution 5 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.; Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action). Full report ↗
2013 Caution 5 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.; Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action). Full report ↗
2012 Caution 5 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.; Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action). Full report ↗
2017 Caution 4 Engine stalling and sudden loss of power while driving, frequently with no warning light, at stops and at speed.; Electrical-system faults: battery failures, dashboard warning swarms and start/stop malfunctions causing no-start or stalling.; Transmission shifts harshly or jerks and can fail; hard or delayed engagement on the 6- and 9-speed automatics. Full report ↗
2014 Caution 4 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.; Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action). Full report ↗
2011 Caution 4 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.; Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action). Full report ↗
2010 Caution 4 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Electrical faults including TIPM module failures, lighting problems and stalling after refueling.; CVT automatic transmission overheating, limp-mode and shifting problems. Full report ↗
2009 Caution 4 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Electrical faults including TIPM module failures, lighting problems and stalling after refueling.; CVT automatic transmission overheating, limp-mode and shifting problems. Full report ↗
2008 Caution 4 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Electrical faults including TIPM module failures, lighting problems and stalling after refueling.; CVT automatic transmission overheating, limp-mode and shifting problems. Full report ↗
2007 Caution 4 Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.; Electrical faults including TIPM module failures, lighting problems and stalling after refueling.; CVT automatic transmission overheating, limp-mode and shifting problems. Full report ↗
2018 Avoid 3 Engine stalling and sudden loss of power while driving, frequently with no warning light, at stops and at speed.; Electrical-system faults: battery failures, dashboard warning swarms and start/stop malfunctions causing no-start or stalling.; Transmission shifts harshly or jerks and can fail; hard or delayed engagement on the 6- and 9-speed automatics. Full report ↗

Jeep Compass problems by year

2024 Jeep Compass Recommended

Strongest Compass yet: a now-standard 200-hp turbo, refreshed cabin and the fewest complaints of any year. Off-road-capable Trailhawk, top J.D. Power-style reliability marks; main gripes are running costs and an automatic-braking system prone to false alerts.

  • Forward-collision warning / automatic emergency braking activates with no obstacle present, causing abrupt unexpected braking.
  • Electrical faults: battery failures and auto start/stop malfunctions causing power loss or no-start.
  • Engine stalling and transmission hesitation reported by some owners, often without a warning light.

2023 Jeep Compass Recommended

Big improvement year: the 2.0L turbo and 8-speed become standard, fixing the old powertrain weakness, with low complaint volume. Solid off-road Trailhawk option; watch insurance and the occasional driver-assist false alert.

  • Forward-collision warning / automatic emergency braking activates with no obstacle present, causing abrupt unexpected braking.
  • Electrical faults: battery failures and auto start/stop malfunctions causing power loss or no-start.
  • Engine stalling and transmission hesitation reported by some owners, often without a warning light.

2022 Jeep Compass Caution

Mid-cycle refresh brought a nicer interior and big touchscreen, and complaints fell from the launch years. Still the slow 2.4L/9-speed; recurring start/stop-battery and forward-collision false-braking gripes keep it a caution.

  • Forward-collision warning / automatic emergency braking activates with no obstacle present, causing abrupt unexpected braking.
  • Electrical faults: battery failures and auto start/stop malfunctions causing power loss or no-start.
  • Engine stalling and transmission hesitation reported by some owners, often without a warning light.

2021 Jeep Compass Caution

A settled year for the second-gen Compass: complaint volume well down from 2017-18. Comfortable ride and Trailhawk capability offset by sluggish 2.4L performance and lingering electrical/stalling reports.

  • Engine stalls or loses power while driving, including a false "coolant temperature too high" warning that triggers a sudden shutdown.
  • Electrical and auto start/stop faults: battery drain, dashboard warnings and failure to restart at stops.
  • Excessive oil consumption and MultiAir-actuator faults on the 2.4L engine.

2020 Jeep Compass Caution

One of the better second-gen years per owners, with markedly fewer complaints than launch. Note a recurring false "coolant temperature too high" shutdown and start/stop battery issues; powertrain remains slow.

  • Engine stalls or loses power while driving, including a false "coolant temperature too high" warning that triggers a sudden shutdown.
  • Electrical and auto start/stop faults: battery drain, dashboard warnings and failure to restart at stops.
  • Excessive oil consumption and MultiAir-actuator faults on the 2.4L engine.

2019 Jeep Compass Caution

Reliability improving after the rough launch but still short of class leaders. Lingering stalling, electrical and transmission-shift complaints; comfortable ride and off-road Trailhawk are the draws.

  • Engine stalls or loses power while driving, including a false "coolant temperature too high" warning that triggers a sudden shutdown.
  • Electrical and auto start/stop faults: battery drain, dashboard warnings and failure to restart at stops.
  • Excessive oil consumption and MultiAir-actuator faults on the 2.4L engine.

2018 Jeep Compass Avoid

The worst Compass year: over nine hundred NHTSA complaints centered on engine stalling/power loss, electrical failures and transmission shifting, plus oil consumption. Widely flagged as the year to avoid.

  • Engine stalling and sudden loss of power while driving, frequently with no warning light, at stops and at speed.
  • Electrical-system faults: battery failures, dashboard warning swarms and start/stop malfunctions causing no-start or stalling.
  • Transmission shifts harshly or jerks and can fail; hard or delayed engagement on the 6- and 9-speed automatics.

2017 Jeep Compass Caution

All-new second-gen launch with a fresh look but a rough first year: stalling, electrical faults, Uconnect touchscreen delamination and 9-speed shift problems. Buy only with service history and remaining warranty.

  • Engine stalling and sudden loss of power while driving, frequently with no warning light, at stops and at speed.
  • Electrical-system faults: battery failures, dashboard warning swarms and start/stop malfunctions causing no-start or stalling.
  • Transmission shifts harshly or jerks and can fail; hard or delayed engagement on the 6- and 9-speed automatics.

2016 Jeep Compass Caution

Late first-gen Compass: affordable and available with real 4x4, but dated, slow with its CVT and carrying the generation’s corrosion, stalling and active-headrest deployment issues. Inspect underbody rust before buying.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.
  • Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action).

2015 Jeep Compass Caution

Refreshed first-gen Compass: cheap to buy and simple to maintain, but underpowered and noisy. Watch for subframe/suspension corrosion, stalling and the active head-restraint recall common to these years.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.
  • Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action).

2014 Jeep Compass Caution

A high-complaint first-gen year dominated by unexpected active head-restraint deployment and engine stalling/power loss. Capable 4x4 and low price, but reliability and safety reports drag it down, verify recall work.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.
  • Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action).

2013 Jeep Compass Caution

Refreshed first-gen Compass: budget price and available off-road 4x4 offset by a droning CVT, cheap cabin and recurring corrosion, electrical (TIPM) and stalling complaints. Check underbody rust.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.
  • Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action).

2012 Jeep Compass Caution

Post-facelift first-gen Compass with an improved CVT but the same modest power and low-rent interior. Subframe corrosion, TIPM electrical faults and stalling are the watch items on these years.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.
  • Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action).

2011 Jeep Compass Caution

Facelifted first-gen year carrying heavy corrosion complaints (rusted subframe/suspension) plus TIPM electrical and powertrain stalling/limp-mode reports. Cheap and 4x4-capable but inspect the underbody carefully.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Engine stalling and loss of power, often traced to throttle-body and electronic-throttle-control faults.
  • Active head restraints deploying unexpectedly with no collision (subject of recall action).

2010 Jeep Compass Caution

Pre-refresh first-gen Compass: underpowered with a droning CVT and a cheap interior. Suspension/subframe corrosion and control-arm/ball-joint wear are the defining reliability concerns; low buy-in price is the appeal.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Electrical faults including TIPM module failures, lighting problems and stalling after refueling.
  • CVT automatic transmission overheating, limp-mode and shifting problems.

2009 Jeep Compass Caution

Early first-gen Compass dogged by subframe and suspension corrosion (rust-belt cars worst), with control-arm and ball-joint failures reported. Affordable with optional 4x4, but slow and cheaply built.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Electrical faults including TIPM module failures, lighting problems and stalling after refueling.
  • CVT automatic transmission overheating, limp-mode and shifting problems.

2008 Jeep Compass Caution

First-gen Compass: low price and available 4x4, but weak performance, a low-rent cabin and the generation’s structural-corrosion problem. Well-kept examples can reach high mileage; inspect for rust.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Electrical faults including TIPM module failures, lighting problems and stalling after refueling.
  • CVT automatic transmission overheating, limp-mode and shifting problems.

2007 Jeep Compass Caution

First model year of the Compass: car-based crossover with modest off-road ability and a budget price, but underpowered and undermined by subframe corrosion (covered by an extended warranty on early cars) and a cheap interior.

  • Subframe and suspension corrosion (rusted crossmembers, control arms, ball joints), a structural safety concern in salt-belt climates.
  • Electrical faults including TIPM module failures, lighting problems and stalling after refueling.
  • CVT automatic transmission overheating, limp-mode and shifting problems.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Jeep models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.