YearToAvoid

2016 Jeep Compass Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#5 most-complained of 16 Compass years

The 2016 Jeep Compass has 293 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 59% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 58,000 miles, plus one recall for a crankshaft/camshaft sensor.

Complaints
293
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
9 / 2
Injuries / deaths
15 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy

Top 2016 Jeep Compass problems

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

  1. Engine174 (59%)
  2. Electrical System62 (21%)
  3. Other47 (16%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain44 (15%)
  5. Brakes25 (9%)
  6. Fuel System18 (6%)
  7. Structure & Body18 (6%)
  8. Steering16 (5%)
  9. Airbags13 (4%)
  10. Seat Belts12 (4%)

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-to-severe crashes, including head-on and T-bone collisions.
  • Engine compartment fires occur after normal shutdown, sometimes destroying the vehicle.
  • Steering locks up unexpectedly while driving, leading to loss of control.
  • Brakes fail to respond when pressed, causing the vehicle to continue moving and crash.
  • Seat belts fail to lock or engage during rollover or off-road accidents.
2016 Jeep Compass complaints: complaints filed per quarter292016 Q12017 Q32018 Q42020 Q12021 Q22022 Q42024 Q22025 Q3
443 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q4 (29).

2016 Jeep Compass recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V907000Dec 16, 2016Engine42,231 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.

    Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.

2016 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.

2016 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
2014Avoid87307224
2015Best20113124
2016Caution73293124
2017Caution60229424
2018Avoid100942625

All Jeep Compass years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Compass ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 73 and a Caution verdict. Engine problems account for 59% of its 293 complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Jeep Compass?
Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 174 of 293 complaints (59%), with a median failure mileage of 58,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (16V907000) covers a crankshaft or camshaft sensor that may work intermittently on vehicles built between May 9, 2016, and July 15, 2016. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2016 Compass compare to other years?
The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than the 2015 (20), 2017 (60), and 2020 (47) model years but better than 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2022, which are all rated Avoid.

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.