2021 JEEP COMPASS

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 12 unsafe

    13
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, a message indicating that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and added water to the coolant reservoir. Additionally, the conta…"~70,000 mi, complaint #2095540
  2. #2

    engine stall or no start

    1 stranded, 10 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was able to restart after several attem…"~50,000 mi, complaint #2033569
    • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the brake warning light began flashing. The vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Action Number: PE22013 (ENGINE AND…"~77,000 mi, complaint #2059280
  3. #3

    infotainment head unit

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Unconnect screen is faulty causing lines down the screen and causes the screen to go completely black. Issue has been noted by hundreds of other jeep owners available online and dating back to 2018. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This issue…"complaint #1917967
    • "The touchscreen started flashing off and on and the dash lights also turn off and on. The lane assist and fuel warning pop up even when there is ample fuel. The blinkers do not respond when it is glitching and the high beam/ low beam light disappears on the da…"complaint #2030062
    • "When it's hot outside and the car gets hot inside car it messed the radio up lines all over the radio can't see nothing radio plays, but you can't use backup camper are see the air set on this needs to be recalled so reson for it to stop working "complaint #2040107
    • "My vehicle information screen is not working. I cannot connect my phone; therefore cannot talk hands free. So this seems like a safety issue. I do not have access to my back up camera."complaint #2138565
    • "The LCD radio screen goes in and out, mostly out. Can't see information projected on infortainment screen hence can't see for back up camera situations. If it does come on fully meaning seeing all the controls, sometimes all the letters and numbers are project…"complaint #2172109
  4. #4

    transmission automatic

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My 2021 jeep Compass transmission and front camera has been causing me problems. My car for months has been jumping out of gear and jerking forward. The jerk get to a point where it feels as if someone just hit me from behind. These jerks almost caused me to g…"complaint #1813668
    • "When the vehicle is in fuel economy it turns off completely and I have to change the transmission to park to turn it back on. This happens when I stop at a light, at a stop, or just stop to wait for someone to cross the street. Both the dealer and the manufact…"complaint #1894637
    • "I have a 2021 Jeep Compass and have been experiencing transmission bucking ever since purchasing out my lease. It is a known issue to Chrysler but they refuse to issue a recall. I have gone to the dealer twice so far. Once, they did a software update for the t…"complaint #2059761
    • "I have replaced both batteries and the alternator. The stop/start light comes on and the red warning to pull over safely the vehicle will shut off soon and the engine light comes on. The vehicle is now telling me to service transmission. The dealer doesn't kno…"complaint #2062529
    • "Every single time I seen the climb McDonald pass in Helena, Montana the car freaks out says service transmission now no matter if I do it at 55 miles an hour or 75 miles an hour, which is about as fast as it’ll go up the pass, it goes in the limp mode, shuts o…"complaint #2125827
  5. #5

    control module

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown computer had failed and simultaneously made other electrical compo…"~50,100 mi, complaint #1975018
    • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle the engine was running, and the vehicle turned off independently. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The contact stated that oc…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1929846
  6. #6

    other

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VIN NOT EXISTING. THIS VEHICLE IS LISTED FOR $1 A DEALER INCENTIVE OF $29,...... I ASKED TO PURCHASE AN MAKE DELIVERY. IS THERE ANY REASON VIN NOT FOUND. IS THIS A REAL CAR.?"~30,000 mi, complaint #1698355
  7. #7

    steering rack mechanical

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "A noise, coming front the front end of my 2021 Jeep Compass is generated while is driving at low velocity (15 mph or slower). The noise intensity increases when the jeep is driven for over an hour. I took the jeep to dealer on Nov 3, 2021, with 701 miles to…"complaint #1779205
    • "I purchased this vehicle not quite a year ago. After about 3 months while turning I noticed a knocking sound coming from the left front of the vehicle while turning. When I was able I took the vehicle back to dealer who stated it was the rack and pinion. I was…"complaint #1990702
    • "I bought the Jeep 2000 24 June 5th from Auto Lenders and Fairless hills vehicle had 34,632 miles on it took it back June 18th for inspection and that there was noise coming from the front end when you went over speed bump metal climbing I told him they said th…"complaint #2067992
  8. #8

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 broken, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE 2021 JEEP COMPASS HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL JEEP DEALER MORE THAN 5 TIMES DUE TO VEHICLE CONSTANTLY BLOWING HOT AIR DURING HOT SUMMER DAYS.AC STILL DOESNT WORK AN WITH HOT AIR BLOWING IT STARTS TO FOG UP FRONT DOOR WINDOWS."complaint #1807583
    • "My 2021 Jeep Compass Trailhawk has been in very good condition until the ac recently just started to blow hot air. When I took my jeep in for a routine oil/filter, my local auto mechanic said that upon visual inspection the a/c clutch (part of the a/c compres…"complaint #1990390
  9. #9

    airbag system

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with the message "Air Bags Wiring Fault" displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the pa…"~72,972 mi, complaint #2190710
  10. #10

    alignment and pull

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A SIDE BARRIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED A MONTH PRIOR AND WAS RELATING THE CRASH TO THE…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1740999
  11. #11

    backup camera

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The screen in most 2018-present jeep compasses are defective. My car just fell out of the warranty time frame and shortly after the screen failed resulting in no alerts via the back up camera. The camera helps alert you to things you can not see in your blind…"complaint #2051599
    • "After going on and off intermittently for the last year, the rear view camera system stopped working altogether! There is a recall for my Year (21) and model (Jeep compass) but unfortunately my vin number is excluded from this recall and Stellantis says there'…"complaint #2112355
  12. #12

    unintended acceleration

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "[XXX] nearly three minutes after dropping my kids off to school, driving near the [XXX] ! My jeep begin to accelerate, I couldn’t control the brakes or steering wheel! I became very scared as I approached a curve upon me reaching the curve, the dashboard and r…"complaint #2183829
    • "I was driving on the Arecibo. P.R. highway when suddently the car started acelererating..i wouldn't show down. There were a lot of cars on the road, so I had to swerve onto the grass and hit a tree car. I dind'd receive any help from highway patrol. The Police…"complaint #2195735
  13. #13

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The car only has 47,000 miles on it and the steering wheel buttons stopped working, then while the car was off the windshield wipers started going and wouldn’t stop until the battery died, then when the car battery was charged and the car was started the winds…"complaint #1964255
    • "Purchased Jan 20 2024 Battery issues started in April 2024, battery started melting a particular component, i had to replace the battery, the melting was still happening, I went to another jeep location, to get a fuse component that keeps wires separate, the…"complaint #2119688
  14. #14

    adas lane keeping

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Lane Assist and Front Collision Camera ceased functioning...yes available for inspection Lane assist and traffic collision camera went out while driving in the rain on the freeway. Traffic came to a quick stop and was able to stop without assistance by slidin…"complaint #1782767
  15. #15

    battery and charging

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On Friday, November 5th I was driving my 2021 Jeep Compass when it suddenly stopped in the middle of the road and the message came on 'vehicle not in park' and 'key fib not found.' I pulled into a shopping complex and called the dealer Napleton Chrysler in Cl…"complaint #1777527
  16. #16

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While driving my vehicle the parking brake engaged itself and my vehicle stopped suddenly without me engaging the brakes. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they stated it was an issue with the emissions system that caused the vehicle to do an “emergency…"complaint #2081791
  17. #17

    brake hydraulics

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "1.When I come to a stop my car jolts forward hard like I was hit from behind. 2. Issue is the lighting display is very dim during the day time once in a while randomly dims making it difficult to see my speed. 3. My radio panel shuts off randomly. 4. Auto coll…"complaint #2013986
  18. #18

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Turn on cruise control, press +, hold until the rental car begins to accelerate, and release. Car continues to accelerate. This is not the same as my 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid that accelerates only as long as the button is being depressed. The mileage of the re…"complaint #1849303
  19. #19

    differential

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "A common problem, which mine has, is a growl in the rear end at around 30mph. In forums I have seen people get a software update to fix, but it just changes the problem to around 50mph. If I drive with the traction control button off, or put it into manual mod…"complaint #1926541
  20. #20

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed black smoke coming from the front passenger side headlight. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the ve…"~118,000 mi, complaint #2187415
  21. #21

    engine internal

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JULY 2021. I DRIVE IT 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. EACH WEEK I PUT IN BETWEEN $15-$20 IN GAS TO BRING THE FUEL LEVEL BACK UP TO THE FULL MARK. THE JEEPS DOES NOT HAVE GOOD FUEL ECONOMY. IT DEFINITELY DOES NOT REACH 22-25MPG. I DRIVE IT ABO…"complaint #1765321
  22. #22

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "In 3 months later that we got the jeep. The seat spring for reclain go off, later 1 year the motor mounts have alot of noise with the change of speed, and the suspension feel horroble, i been driving like that few months like that and we dont know about this p…"complaint #1972113
  23. #23

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "For 6months I have a low oil pressure light come on before my oil change is due. Dealer has ran 3 oil consumption test pass/fail/pass the next one will fail as I had to add 2 quarts or oil this week and my oil change isn’t due for 2k more miles. There is no le…"complaint #2090183
  24. #24

    fuel tank and lines

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY HUSBAND AND I BUY TWO JEEPS. THE REASON I CHOOSE MINE AND HE CHOOSE HIS, WAS FUEL ECONOMY. BUT THE JEEP COMPASS IS NOT PERFORMING AT ALL TO THE STANDARDS. I DID CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE VERY NICE SETTING AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE COMPASS TO HAVE…"~500 mi, complaint #1739714
  25. #25

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked at a store front in the evening, both headlights were operational. The contact returned and restarted the vehicle; however, the driver's side headlight was inoperable. Th…"~103,000 mi, complaint #2097597
  26. #26

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "This was a rental vehicle. My concern is the emergency brake switch. It was accidentally activated by a passenger when they were trying to pickup a coin that had fallen where the switch is located while traveling at 40 mph. The emergency brake immediately enga…"complaint #1953448
  27. #27

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The seat belts on both sides of the rear seats have frayed completely through the belt webbing at the same exact point. Where the belts connects to the retractor I believe is the name of it. Both belts are entirely separated at the point where they pass th…"complaint #2086897
  28. #28

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Gas pedal broke off while driving. It is made of plastic and the arm that attaches to the pedal snapped off. We towed to a shop to have repaired today. No warning lights or sounds. Thankfully I was going slow and not on a busy street. It could have been a bad…"complaint #2172872
  29. #29

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Since I first got my brand new JEEP COMPASS in 2021, the tire pressure light would flash on and off, with a warning that my tire pressure was low. When I first saw this light come on, I obviously didn't realize that this light was faulty and inaccurate. I took…"complaint #2077670

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for JEEP COMPASS directly.