YearToAvoid

2014 Jeep Compass Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

87/100

#3 most-complained of 16 Compass years

The 2014 Jeep Compass ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 87 and 307 NHTSA complaints. Engine problems (38% of complaints, median 69,000 miles) and airbag non-deployment (30%) are the top issues, backed by 2 recalls.

Complaints
307
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
20 / 7
Injuries / deaths
24 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
21.5 city / 28 hwy

Top 2014 Jeep Compass problems

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

  1. Engine116 (38%)
  2. Airbags91 (30%)
  3. Seat Belts53 (17%)
  4. Structure & Body41 (13%)
  5. Electrical System40 (13%)
  6. Other37 (12%)
  7. Brakes36 (12%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain35 (11%)
  9. Fuel System26 (8%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (5%)

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during head-on and rear-end collisions at speeds around 40-45 mph, resulting in injuries.
  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration or surging while parking or at low speed, sometimes leading to a crash into a curb or another vehicle.
  • Engine compartment smoke and flames were reported by one owner at 40,000 miles with no prior warning.
  • One owner described the vehicle suddenly shutting off at highway speed with brake failure, resulting in a rear-end collision.
  • Steering behavior during snowy conditions was described as unpredictable by one owner, though no clear mechanical cause was identified.
2014 Jeep Compass complaints: complaints filed per quarter472013 Q22015 Q22017 Q12018 Q42020 Q32022 Q22024 Q22026 Q2
502 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q2 (47).

2014 Jeep Compass recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

  2. NHTSA 13V552000Nov 6, 2013Engine521 vehicles

    Engine

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200, and model year 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure.

    Risk: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine balance shaft module, free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N52.

2014 Jeep Compass fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21.5 MPG
Highway
28 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.

2014 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
2012Good33184424
2013Best1380124
2014Avoid87307224
2015Best20113124
2016Caution73293124

All Jeep Compass years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Jeep Compass reliable?
NHTSA data ranks the 2014 Compass 3rd worst out of 16 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 87 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other Compass years.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Jeep Compass?
Engine issues make up 38% of complaints (116 of 307), with a median failure mileage of 69,000 miles. Airbag complaints account for 30% of complaints, including reports of non-deployment in crashes.
Does the 2014 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2014 Compass: one for an Occupant Restraint Control airbag issue (campaign 16V668000) and one for an engine balance shaft module defect (campaign 13V552000).
How does the 2014 Compass compare to other years?
The 2014 model has a complaint index of 87, higher than most other Compass years; only the 2018 (index 100) and 2019 (index 80) are similarly or more problematic.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Jeep Compass?
The 2014 Compass gets an EPA-rated 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 28 highway), with an estimated 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.