Jeep Compass Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2022 Jeep Compass, which carry Complaint Index scores of 87, 100, 80, and 93 — the highest of all 16 model years covered. The 2018 alone accounts for 942 of the 3,301 total complaints. Best years are 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2023.
Avoid 2014Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2022Best 2010Best 2013Best 2015Best 2023
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,301
- Recall campaigns
- 22
- Crashes reported
- 138
- Fires reported
- 42
- Top problem area
- Engine
Compass Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Jeep Compass problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 0 | 71 | 5 | 3 | 2 | Airbags | 25 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 40 | 187 | 7 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 33 | 184 | 3 | 5 | 4 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2013 | Best | 13 | 80 | 7 | 5 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24 | 3★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 87 | 307 | 20 | 7 | 2 | Engine | 24 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Best | 20 | 113 | 4 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 73 | 293 | 9 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 60 | 229 | 10 | 3 | 4 | Electrical System | 24 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 100 | 942 | 28 | 5 | 6 | Engine | 25 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 80 | 329 | 13 | 2 | 2 | Engine | 25 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 47 | 140 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 25 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Good | 27 | 80 | 5 | 2 | 0 | Electrical System | 25 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 93 | 222 | 11 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 25 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Best | 7 | 46 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 27 | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 67 | 52 | 6 | 1 | 0 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 27 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 53 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 27 | 4★ |
Compass years to avoid: what went wrong
2018 Jeep Compass Index 100 · 942 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2018 Compass is the worst year on record, with 942 complaints and the highest possible Complaint Index of 100. Engine issues account for 52% of complaints at a median of 19,000 miles, and electrical system problems make up 44% at 20,000 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in rear-end and front-end collisions and brakes failing to engage. Six recalls cover this year, including rear brake caliper pistons, a powertrain control module replacement, and incorrectly welded front lower control arms. Crashes reached 28 with 18 injuries.
2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 transmission & powertrain problems →
2022 Jeep Compass Index 93 · 222 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Compass has 222 complaints and a Complaint Index of 93. Electrical system problems dominate at 58% of complaints with a median of 11,500 miles, and collision avoidance/camera issues make up 21% at a median of just 110.5 miles. Owners reported the vehicle losing motive power while driving, collision-avoidance systems shutting off repeatedly, and steering wheels turning on their own. Four recalls apply, including a radio software update and two instrument panel cluster fixes. Eleven crashes were reported with no fires.
2022 electrical system problems →2022 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2022 engine problems →
2014 Jeep Compass Index 87 · 307 complaints · 2 recalls
NHTSA lists 307 complaints for the 2014 Compass, giving it a Complaint Index of 87. Engine problems make up 38% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 69,000, while airbags account for 30% at a median of 45,000 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including one incident involving a fire. Two recalls apply: an occupant restraint control airbag recall and an engine balance shaft module recall for the 2.4L engine. Crash count reached 20 with 24 injuries reported.
2014 engine problems →2014 airbags problems →2014 seat belts problems →
2019 Jeep Compass Index 80 · 329 complaints · 2 recalls
NHTSA records 329 complaints for the 2019 Compass, with a Complaint Index of 80. Engine complaints are 51% of the total at a median of just 10,000 miles, and electrical system issues are 45% at 9,261 miles, pointing to early-mileage failures. Owners reported an engine fire while parked and airbags not deploying during a rear-end collision. Two recalls apply: a windshield wiper arm fix and the rear brake caliper piston recall shared with 2018. Thirteen crashes were reported.
2019 engine problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 brakes problems →
Most common Jeep Compass problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine1,363 (41%)
- Electrical System1,120 (34%)
- Other644 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain482 (15%)
- Brakes326 (10%)
- Airbags258 (8%)
- Fuel System226 (7%)
- Structure & Body174 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras173 (5%)
- Steering161 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Jeep Compass should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2022 Jeep Compass. These years have Complaint Index scores of 87, 100, 80, and 93, the highest among all 16 model years covered.
- Which Jeep Compass year is the most reliable?
- The 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2023 model years rank as the best, with Complaint Index scores of 0, 13, 20, and 7 respectively — the lowest across all years covered.
- What is the biggest problem with the Jeep Compass?
- Across all years, engine complaints total 1,363 (41% of all complaints) and electrical system complaints total 1,120 (34%), making these the two most reported problem areas.
- Does the 2018 Jeep Compass have a lot of complaints?
- Yes. The 2018 Compass has 942 complaints, the highest of any year, with a Complaint Index of 100 and six separate recall campaigns.
- Are there do-not-drive recalls on the Jeep Compass?
- No. None of the 22 recall campaigns across all Jeep Compass model years are listed as do-not-drive recalls.