Jeep Compass 2007–2016
1st generation (MK) · MK49 (Chrysler PM/MK, Mitsubishi GS-derived)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,514 complaints, 1,695 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,500 and 99,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 12 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 38,500
- Median
- 68,000
- 75%
- 99,000
- 90%
- 131,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 136 | 8.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 29 | 1.7% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 45 | 2.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 42 | 2.5% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 21 | 1.2% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 33 | 1.9% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 61 | 3.6% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 75 | 4.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 66 | 3.9% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 68 | 4.0% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 82 | 4.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 72 | 4.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 62 | 3.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 95 | 5.6% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 77 | 4.5% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 70 | 4.1% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 67 | 4.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 61 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 51 | 3.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 63 | 3.7% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 53 | 3.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 45 | 2.7% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 36 | 2.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 45 | 2.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 32 | 1.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 25 | 1.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 31 | 1.8% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 19 | 1.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 18 | 1.1% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 14 | 0.8% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 32 | 1.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 17 | 1.0% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 8 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 12 | 0.7% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,514 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2016 Jeep Compass, and 1,695 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,500 and 99,000 miles. The median is 68,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (15.6% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (9.1% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles), the electrical system (8.8% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles).
9 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Engine68,000median 68,000 miles, middle half 42,000 to 96,000
- Transmission and driveline69,000median 68,953 miles, middle half 39,000 to 102,000
- Electrical system65,000median 64,752 miles, middle half 41,000 to 91,000
- Problems owners could not categorise66,000median 66,000 miles, middle half 43,000 to 97,000
- Airbag system48,000median 48,000 miles, middle half 28,000 to 87,000
- Suspension73,000median 72,993 miles, middle half 42,000 to 111,000
- Fuel and propulsion system78,000median 78,000 miles, middle half 58,000 to 105,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 391 | 15.6% | 68,000 | 42,000–96,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 229 | 9.1% | 69,000 | 39,000–102,000 |
| Electrical system | 221 | 8.8% | 65,000 | 41,000–91,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 215 | 8.6% | 66,000 | 43,000–97,000 |
| Airbag system | 214 | 8.5% | 48,000 | 28,000–87,000 |
| Suspension | 187 | 7.4% | 73,000 | 42,000–111,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 169 | 6.7% | 78,000 | 58,000–105,000 |
| Body structure | 143 | 5.7% | 81,000 | 40,000–105,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 131 | 5.2% | 71,000 | 50,000–103,000 |
| Seat belts | 127 | 5.1% | 49,000 | 32,000–80,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 68,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 15.6% of complaints (391 reports, 287 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 96,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 9.1% of complaints (229 reports, 170 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,953 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 and 102,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.8% of complaints (221 reports, 148 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 64,752 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 41,268 and 91,023 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 8.6% of complaints (215 reports, 125 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,656 and 97,400 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 8.5% of complaints (214 reports, 81 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 48,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 28,000 and 87,000 miles.
The suspension accounts for 7.4% of complaints (187 reports, 142 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,993 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 111,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2014 model year drew the most — 518 complaints — while 2009 drew the fewest at 60. The median year sits at 218.
That makes 2014 an outlier: roughly 2.4 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the steering (2), the fuel system (2), the seat belts (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 2,514 complaints filed against this generation, 109 reported a crash; 51 reported a fire; 105 reported an injury; 2 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.3% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 38,500 and 99,000 miles, with a median of 68,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 68,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Transmission 2007–2016
Jatco JF011E (CVT2) overheating, slipping, shuddering and premature failure. Fluid breaks down under heat stress, the pulleys wear and the belt slips; the transmission drops into limp mode and fails, commonly between roughly 60,000 and 95,000 miles when fluid service is neglected. A US class action specifically targeted the 2010-2013 cars.
Engine 2007–2016
2.0L/2.4L World engine excessive oil consumption and top-end ticking are recurring complaints across the generation.
Electrical 2011–2016
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) faults consistent with the wider Chrysler TIPM population of the era — no-start, stall, and unrelated multi-system electrical symptoms.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 396 | 315 |
| 2008 | 135 | 111 |
| 2009 | 60 | 45 |
| 2010 | 108 | 75 |
| 2011 | 283 | 197 |
| 2012 | 263 | 177 |
| 2013 | 121 | 86 |
| 2014 | 518 | 309 |
| 2015 | 173 | 111 |
| 2016 | 457 | 269 |
Recalls (9)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 16V668000 | 2017-08-15 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 16V907000 | 2017-02-08 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine |
| 15V878000 | 2016-02-05 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, and Connections |
| 13V552000 | 2013-12-24 | Engine |
| 13V120000 | 2013-07-19 | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| 13V233000 | 2013-06-21 | Electrical System:software |
| 12V142000 | 2012-05-21 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly |
| 11V315000 | 2011-07-04 | Steering:column |
| 10V234000 | 2010-06-21 | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal |
What owners reported
On the morning of 02/10/2007 i was waiting in a line of vehicles at a local car wash. I had not entered or used the car wash to that point. Suddenly, my rear window literally exploded into thousands of small pieces. I checked the back of my car and the pavement in the back of car for evidence of something that may…
2007 · 3,000 miles · Visibility equipment
Our Jeep 2007 Compass has had an issue with the drivers seat belt remaining latched. Most times it will unlatch itself within seconds of the click sound. And other times, it does unlatch while we are driving. We did take it to the dealership the same year we bought it, and they told us there was nothing wrong with…
2007 · 3,000 miles · Seat belts
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Jeep Compass. While driving 30 MPH, the contact noticed that the engine, emergency brake, four wheel drive unavailable, and collision center indicators illuminated. The dealer (boardwalk Jeep, 1 bair island rd, redwood city, ca 94063) stated that they would need to keep the vehicle for…
2007 · 3,000 miles · Electrical system
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Jeep Compass. While driving at any speed, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the outer driver's side tie rod and control arm needed to be replaced. The failure still persists. The current…
2007 · 7,000 miles · Suspension
Built from 1,695 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page