YearToAvoid

2019 Jeep Compass Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#4 most-complained of 16 Compass years

The 2019 Jeep Compass has a Complaint Index of 80 and ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine (169 complaints, 51% share) and Electrical System (147 complaints, 45% share) are the top problem areas, with two recalls covering wipers and rear brakes.

Complaints
329
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
13 / 2
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25
22 city / 31 hwy

Top 2019 Jeep Compass problems

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

  1. Engine169 (51%)
  2. Electrical System147 (45%)
  3. Other85 (26%)
  4. Brakes49 (15%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain37 (11%)
  6. Steering19 (6%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras15 (5%)
  8. Fuel System11 (3%)
  9. Airbags10 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (2%)

What owners report

  • Engine compartment can catch fire and burn through the hood, even at low mileage.
  • Airbags sometimes fail to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, including head-on impacts.
  • Some drivers report airbags deploying unexpectedly at highway speed with no collision, causing loss of control.
  • Brake pedal effort feels weak or unresponsive, leading to rear-end collisions.
  • Axles have reportedly broken while driving through snow, causing the vehicle to spin.
  • Steering and ESC warning messages appear intermittently, sometimes with the steering seeming to self-correct.
2019 Jeep Compass complaints: complaints filed per quarter362019 Q12020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
565 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q2 (36).

2019 Jeep Compass recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V208000Apr 9, 2020Visibility & Wipers425,599 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass vehicles. The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.

    Risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W25.

  2. NHTSA 18V523000Aug 9, 2018Brakes154,335 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

    Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.

2019 Jeep Compass fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,600
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.

2019 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
2017Caution60229424
2018Avoid100942625
2019Avoid80329225
2020Good47140125
2021Good2780025

All Jeep Compass years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Jeep Compass reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2019 Compass a Complaint Index of 80, ranking it 4th worst among 16 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Compass years.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Jeep Compass?
Engine issues account for 169 complaints (51% share) and Electrical System issues account for 147 complaints (45% share), the two largest problem areas reported to NHTSA.
Does the 2019 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2019 Compass: one for wiper arms that may loosen (campaign 20V208000) and one for rear brake caliper pistons with insufficient corrosion protection (campaign 18V523000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2019 Compass compare to the 2018 Compass?
The 2018 Compass has a higher Complaint Index of 100 with 942 complaints, making it worse than the 2019 model, which has a Complaint Index of 80 and 329 complaints.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Jeep Compass?
The 2019 Compass gets an EPA-rated 25 mpg combined (22 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.

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.