2011 Jeep Compass Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Jeep Compass has 187 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 50, and ranks 10th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems are the top complaint area, with 3 recalls covering airbags, electrical software, and steering.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #10 of 19 Compass years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 187
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 22 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2011 Jeep Compass problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine51 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (17%)
- Other27 (14%)
- Structure & Body27 (14%)
- Electrical System22 (12%)
- Steering19 (10%)
- Airbags17 (9%)
- Brakes16 (9%)
- Fuel System14 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls unexpectedly at low speeds, including while stopped at traffic lights or making turns.
- Front wheel and tire can separate from the vehicle while driving at highway speed, sometimes with a loud bang before the wheel drops.
- Steering wheel pulls hard to one side during driving, in some cases tied to camber adjustment issues.
- Vehicle loses power suddenly while in motion and requires shifting to neutral to regain control.
- Side curtain airbags fail to deploy in side-impact crashes, and front airbags fail to deploy in frontal collisions.
- Under-hood fires start spontaneously with no prior warning of electrical trouble.
2011 Jeep Compass recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V668000Sep 15, 2016Airbags1,435,625 vehicles
Air bags
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 13V233000Jun 4, 2013Electrical System254,396 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 11V315000Jun 8, 2011Steering11,096 vehicles
Steering:column
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, jeep wrangler, chrysler 200, chrysler 200 convertible, dodge avenger, dodge nitro, jeep liberty, dodge caliber, jeep compass, jeep patriot, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
Risk: 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.
2011 Jeep Compass fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Jeep Compass reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Compass has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 10th worst among 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Compass years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Jeep Compass?
- Engine issues lead with 51 complaints (27% of the total), followed by transmission and powertrain problems (37 complaints) and suspension, wheels and tires issues (31 complaints).
- Does the 2011 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Compass: an airbag occupant restraint control recall, an electrical software recall, and a steering column pivot recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 Compass compare to other model years?
- With a complaint index of 50, the 2011 Compass is worse than years like 2009, 2010, and 2013 (complaint indexes of 0, 22, and 11) but better than years like 2014, 2018, and 2019, which are rated Avoid.
- At what mileage do 2011 Jeep Compass problems typically occur?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: engine issues at 61,000 miles, transmission issues at 73,000 miles, and suspension issues at 79,101 miles.