Jeep · Known Issues
2007-2025 Jeep Compass Problems: 29 Known Issues
2007-2025 model years · 2,125+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
All years · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2007-2025 model years · 2,125+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
All years · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
According to Au7o's analysis of 2,125+ owner reports, the 2007-2025 Jeep Compass has 29 documented known issues, with 12 rated critical. The most serious are Jatco CVT Transmission Failure / Overheating ($200-$5,000 repair), Cracked oil pump housing can stall the 2.4L engine — recall 17V670, Engine computer voltage-regulator failure can cause a stall or no-start — recall 18V524, Crankshaft / Camshaft Position Sensor Connector Terminals — Intermittent Stall with No Warning (Recall 16V907 / S99) ($0-$250 repair), Recall 17V824000 — Supplied Kidde Fire Extinguisher May Not Work in a Fire, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass — Radio Software May Block the Rearview Camera Image (Recall 24V436000), Front Lower Control Arm Weld Defect — Control Arm Separation (Recall 18V279 / U42) ($0-$0 repair), Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) Short Circuit — Airbags and Pretensioners May Not Deploy (Recall 16V668 / S61) ($0-$0 repair), 2.4L Balance Shaft Module Bearing Debris — Loss of Oil Pressure and Engine Stall (Recall 13V552 / N52) ($0-$7,000 repair), Fuel Tank Roll-Over Valve / Transfer Tube Defects — Fuel Leak Risk (Recalls 12V142 and 13V120) ($0-$0 repair), Rear Brake Caliper Piston Coating Defect — Soft / Long Brake Pedal (Recall 18V523 / U86) ($0-$0 repair) and Left Front Halfshaft Not Seated in Transmission — Loss of Drive / Rolls Away in Park (Recall 17V301 / T26, 6-Speed Models) ($0-$600 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Nine-speed (948TE) harsh 1-2 / 2-3 upshifts and torque-converter clutch fault — bulletins 21-023-21, 21-040-25 with 623 owner reports.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Compass vehicles. The front seat head restraints were not welded properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Compass vehicles. The instrument panel center cluster display may be insufficiently illuminated and may not appear visible during daytime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Compass vehicles. The brightness level of the instrument panel cluster (IPC) may not be adjustable due to incorrect software in the body control module (BCM). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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According to Au7o's analysis of 2,125+ owner reports, the 2007-2025 Jeep Compass has 29 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Jatco CVT Transmission Failure / Overheating, Cracked oil pump housing can stall the 2.4L engine — recall 17V670, Engine computer voltage-regulator failure can cause a stall or no-start — recall 18V524. Of these, 12 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2007-2025 Jeep Compass has 29 known issues documented across 2,125+ owner reports. 12 issues are rated critical: Jatco CVT Transmission Failure / Overheating and Cracked oil pump housing can stall the 2.4L engine — recall 17V670 and Engine computer voltage-regulator failure can cause a stall or no-start — recall 18V524 and Crankshaft / Camshaft Position Sensor Connector Terminals — Intermittent Stall with No Warning (Recall 16V907 / S99) and Recall 17V824000 — Supplied Kidde Fire Extinguisher May Not Work in a Fire and 2022-2023 Jeep Compass — Radio Software May Block the Rearview Camera Image (Recall 24V436000) and Front Lower Control Arm Weld Defect — Control Arm Separation (Recall 18V279 / U42) and Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) Short Circuit — Airbags and Pretensioners May Not Deploy (Recall 16V668 / S61) and 2.4L Balance Shaft Module Bearing Debris — Loss of Oil Pressure and Engine Stall (Recall 13V552 / N52) and Fuel Tank Roll-Over Valve / Transfer Tube Defects — Fuel Leak Risk (Recalls 12V142 and 13V120) and Rear Brake Caliper Piston Coating Defect — Soft / Long Brake Pedal (Recall 18V523 / U86) and Left Front Halfshaft Not Seated in Transmission — Loss of Drive / Rolls Away in Park (Recall 17V301 / T26, 6-Speed Models). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Jeep Compass issues range from $0 to $7,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Jatco CVT Transmission Failure / Overheating, typically costs $200-$5,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Jeep Compass. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2007-2025 Jeep Compass with 29 documented issues documented across 2,125+ owner reports.
First-generation Compass models (2007-2017) equipped with the Jatco CVT2 continuously variable transmission suffer from overheating, slipping, shuddering, and premature failure. The CVT fluid breaks down under heat stress, causing the pulleys to wear and the belt to slip. Overhea… Repairs typically run $200-$5,000. Severity: high.
A small number of 2.4L engines were built with an oil pump/balance shaft module whose housing may be cracked. The crack can grow until the oil pump fails, which may stall the engine without warning. Applies to: 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles with the 2.4L engine included in recall 17… Severity: high.
Some powertrain control modules were built with a suspect voltage-regulator chip. If it fails, the engine may not start, may start and immediately stall, or may stall while driving, which can cause a crash without prior warning. Applies to: Certain 2018 (MP) Jeep Compass vehicles… Severity: high.
2016 Compass and Patriot built May 9 - July 15, 2016 with the 2.0L or 2.4L World Engine received crankshaft and camshaft position sensor connectors with improperly manufactured terminals. The intermittent connection drops the crank/cam signal and the engine stalls — often without… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: high.
2017 Jeep Compass vehicles equipped with a Kidde plastic-handle or push-button 'Pindicator' fire extinguisher are included in NHTSA recall 17V824000. The recalled extinguishers can become clogged. A clogged unit may not discharge as expected, or may require excessive force to act… Severity: high.
The 2022-2023 Jeep Compass is covered by NHTSA recall 24V436000, issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC). The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying, so the camera view a driver expects when selecting reverse may never appear. Vehicles in that state fail to comply… Severity: high.
A batch of about 2,761 early 2018 (MP) Compass vehicles was built with front lower control arms whose welds were incorrectly made. A defective weld can allow the arm to separate from its bushing/ball-joint section, producing a sudden loss of steering control. This is a manufactur… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On 2011-2014 first-generation Compass (and Patriot), the Occupant Restraint Control module mounted under the console can short internally. A shorted ORC disables the front airbags, side airbags and seat-belt pretensioners in a crash, usually with the airbag warning lamp lit. The… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
2014 Compass and Patriot with the 2.4L World Engine (the GEMA/'World' 2.4, not the later Tigershark) received balance shaft modules contaminated with abrasive polishing-tape debris in the bearings. The debris scores the bearings, the engine loses oil pressure, and the result is a… Repairs typically run $0-$7,000. Severity: high.
Two 2012-model-year fuel tank manufacturing defects. 12V142 (M11, 1,689 vehicles built Dec 17, 2011 - Jan 2, 2012) covers tanks whose roll-over valve was damaged by the supplier's leak-test equipment, allowing fuel to leak in a rollover or impact. 13V120 covers 2012 Compass/Patri… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On 2018-2019 Compass built March 17 - June 21, 2018 (154,335 vehicles across FCA lines), rear brake caliper pistons were produced with insufficient chrome coating. The bare surface reacts with brake fluid and forms gas pockets in the caliper, so on start-up the pedal can travel f… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On 4,705 early 2017 second-generation Compass with the Aisin 6-speed automatic, the left front halfshaft may not have been fully seated in the differential during assembly. The shaft can walk out of the transmission or break, causing sudden loss of drive, and because the parking… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: high.
The 948TE nine-speed automatic can make harsh 1-2 or 2-3 upshifts, which FCA's parts note for 2021 models calls a known issue. Separately, a misaligned reaction shaft can wear its bushing early, turning on the check-engine light with code P1DB7 (torque converter clutch performanc… Severity: medium.
The plastic thermostat housing on the 2.0L and 2.4L World engines is prone to cracking and leaking coolant. The housing warps from heat cycling, causing the O-ring seal to fail. This leads to external coolant leaks, overheating, and potential engine damage if not addressed. The s… Repairs typically run $80-$350. Severity: medium.
Owners of the first-generation (MK) Compass report rear hub/bearing noise, a growl or hum that rises with speed, and some report repeat replacements. Applies to: 2007-2016 first-generation (MK) Compass. It does not cover the 2017-on second generation (MP). Severity: medium.
Owners of second-generation Compass 4x4 models report the power transfer unit (PTU) at the transaxle leaking gear oil, in some cases at low mileage, with dealers replacing a seal or quoting a new unit. Applies to: Second-generation (MP) Compass with 4x4 (Jeep Active Drive), 2017-… Severity: medium.
The MK Compass (shared platform with the Patriot and Caliber) wears out the front lower control arm rear bushings and the inner/outer tie rod ends early - many owners report replacement between 40,000 and 80,000 miles. Symptoms start as a clunk or pop through the floor when accel… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: medium.
Owners of second-generation Compasses report rainwater getting in after rain or washing, at the rear cargo-area air vent, around the rear seat-belt opening or onto the floor. Suspected entry points differ between cars: owners name blocked or disconnected sunroof drains and the ro… Severity: medium.
The catalytic converter on 2011-2016 front-wheel-drive Compass models with the 2.0L or 2.4L World Engine loses efficiency and exceeds NOx standards, a defect FCA acknowledged in emissions recall U67 (part of a roughly 862,000-vehicle campaign covering the Compass, Patriot and Cal… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
On 2019-2020 Compass built May 12, 2019 - March 3, 2020, the wiper arm head joint was improperly formed so its splines can strip on the pivot shaft. The arm then loosens and the wiper stops sweeping (or the passenger-side wiper slaps the driver side) — often noticed in rain at hi… Repairs typically run $0-$150. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
