YearToAvoid

2021 Jeep Compass Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

27/100

#12 most-complained of 16 Compass years

The 2021 Jeep Compass has 80 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 27, and ranks 12th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Compass years. No recalls have been issued for this year.

Complaints
80
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
5 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25
22 city / 30.5 hwy

Top 2021 Jeep Compass problems

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

  1. Electrical System36 (45%)
  2. Other29 (36%)
  3. Engine24 (30%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain9 (11%)
  5. Brakes6 (8%)
  6. Steering6 (8%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (6%)
  8. Fuel System4 (5%)
  9. Lane Departure3 (4%)
  10. Seat Belts3 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of steering and brake control paired with a blacked-out dashboard and radio screen while driving.
  • Some describe the coolant temperature warning triggering a full power-down of the vehicle while underway, even with normal coolant temperatures.
  • Steering wheel pulling strongly to one side, especially at highway speed or in curves, making the vehicle harder to control.
  • A front-end noise at low speed that intensifies after extended driving, reported as coming from the steering rack.
  • Lane assist and the front collision camera have stopped working mid-drive, including during rain on the freeway.
  • Fuel economy reported as falling short of the advertised combined rating, with frequent refueling needed.
2021 Jeep Compass complaints: complaints filed per month13Oct 2020May 2022Aug 2023Feb 2024Nov 2024May 2025Jan 2026Sep 2026
130 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2023 (13).

2021 Jeep Compass recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2021 Jeep Compass fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
30.5 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.

2021 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
2019Avoid80329225
2020Good47140125
2021Good2780025
2022Avoid93222425
2023Best746227

All Jeep Compass years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Jeep Compass reliable?
Compared with other Compass model years, 2021 ranks 12th worst out of 16 years tracked, with a complaint index of 27 and 80 complaints logged, earning a Good verdict.
Are there recalls on the 2021 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2021 Jeep Compass.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Jeep Compass?
Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 36 complaints, or 45% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles for the model year overall and 80,000 miles specifically for electrical complaints.
How does the 2021 Compass compare to the 2018 Compass?
The 2018 Compass has a complaint index of 100 and 942 complaints with an Avoid verdict, far worse than the 2021 Compass, which has a complaint index of 27 and 80 complaints.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Jeep Compass?
The 2021 Compass is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 30.5 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.