YearToAvoid

2013 Jeep Compass Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

13/100

#14 most-complained of 16 Compass years

The 2013 Jeep Compass has a Complaint Index of 13, ranking 14th out of 16 model years — meaning it's among the least-complained-about Compass years. It carries 80 complaints, 1 recall, and a top problem area of Transmission & Powertrain.

Complaints
80
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
7 / 5
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
3 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy

Top 2013 Jeep Compass problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain27 (34%)
  2. Airbags16 (20%)
  3. Engine14 (18%)
  4. Electrical System13 (16%)
  5. Other11 (14%)
  6. Brakes9 (11%)
  7. Seat Belts9 (11%)
  8. Structure & Body8 (10%)
  9. Fuel System4 (5%)
  10. Steering3 (4%)

What owners report

  • Airbags have deployed with fire during low-speed crashes, causing burns requiring medical attention.
  • Airbags have failed to deploy in some crashes, including a rollover and a rear-end collision.
  • Exterior side mirrors have overheated and caught fire from an internal electrical short, sometimes while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied.
  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration where the engine seemed to surge despite braking or shifting gears.
  • A burning smell preceded a steering wheel lock-up and loss of control while exiting a highway.
  • Fuel system fires have occurred with smoke and flames from under the hood while driving.
2013 Jeep Compass complaints: complaints filed per quarter112013 Q22014 Q42016 Q12017 Q22018 Q32019 Q42021 Q12023 Q3
120 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q2 to 2025 Q2; peak 2016 Q4 (11).

2013 Jeep Compass recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2013 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.

2013 compared with other Compass years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Good40187324
2012Good33184424
2013Best1380124
2014Avoid87307224
2015Best20113124

All Jeep Compass years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Jeep Compass reliable?
Relative to other Compass model years, the 2013 ranks well. It has a Complaint Index of 13 and ranks 14th out of 16 years, earning a 'Best' verdict among Compass years, with 80 complaints and 1 recall.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 Jeep Compass?
Transmission & Powertrain issues lead, making up 34% of complaints (27 of 80), with a median failure mileage of 63,500 miles and 4 crashes reported in that category.
Does the 2013 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall (campaign 16V668000) covering the Occupant Restraint Control airbag system, affecting several Chrysler/Jeep models including the 2013 Compass.
Which Jeep Compass years should be avoided instead of 2013?
Based on complaint data, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2022 carry 'Avoid' verdicts with much higher Complaint Index values (87, 100, 80, and 93 respectively) compared to the 2013's 13.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Jeep Compass?
EPA rates it at 24 mpg combined (22 city / 27 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.