2009 Jeep Compass

Routine

Owners filed 44 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
88,000 milesMedian miles at failure

33 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension12
100
Structure › Body6
000
Unknown or Other4
000
Electrical System4
000
Engine3
000
Air Bags3
101
Power Train2
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Traction Control System1
000
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)08V528000
Filed Oct 9, 2008712 vehiclesChrysler Llc

Defect. CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Feb 1, 2024151,000 milesOH

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact initially became aware that the rear passenger’s side tire was resting at an angle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the rear struts replaced; however, the mechanic informed the contact that the rear suspension was extremely corroded. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not safe to be driven. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 14, 2023IN

Jeep extended the warranty for the front and rear body subframes. I had my vehicle inspected at the onset of the warranty. I again had an inspection done at my local dealer on 4/15/2022. Since that date the vehicle has been driven approximately 7000 miles. A week ago as I was making a turn at traffic speed I heard a thumping sound. On 11/12/2023 with the vehicle on jackstands it was confirmed that the rear subframe on the drivers side had completely broken and the subframe on the passenger side was rusted through as well. I called Jeep US on 11/14/2023 and it was stated that the warranty was no longer in effect with them. I believe the inspection was either not completed properly or the damage was already in process. This could have resulted in a horrific incident as there were no warning signs and thinking that the inspection had not shown any potential hazard.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 3, 2023IL

Front and rearsubframe extremely rusted, making it dangerous to drive. fuse box under front hood in front of driver side rusting out wiring. Not main fuse box but the one with relays.

Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2022PA

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard with several warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would overheat with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was hot. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the electronic stability control module was defective. The contact replaced the battery; however, the failure immediately returned and the brake failure worsened. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Suspension
Filed Aug 29, 2022NY

I was informed about my rotting subframe on my 2009 Jeep Compass about a year ago. I took it to a Jeep dealer for a second opinion as well as contacted Jeep. I was told about some extended warranty that I was not eligible for. Now, 1 year later, my vehicle will not pass inspection without replacement of the subframe. I contacted Jeep again. Of course, since this was extension of warranty, only the original owners were notified. This should have been a recall. This is a safety hazzard and should not have happened to vehicle just over 10 years. Jeep purposely did not issue a recall to save money.

Suspension
Filed Mar 18, 2020174,000 milesWV

FRONT KFRAME/SUBFRAME CROSS MEMBER RUSTED INTO. FRONT OF LF LOWER CONTROL ARM PULLED OUT OF SUBRAME BECAUSE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED INTO AT THAT SPOT. ALSO BACK SEEM FROM LEFT SIDE ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT SIDE HAS ABOUT A 1 INCH SEAM/TEAR FROM RUST

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 1, 202099,100 milesNY

SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT CHRYSLER VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE ENGINE CUT DOWN TO 30 MPH AND INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL AND "RED LIGHTNING BOLT" (ETC ELECTRONIC THROTTLEBODY CONTROL). WHAT IS HAPPENING IS YOUR COMPUTER HAS DETECTED SOMETHING WRONG AND HAS GONE INTO LIMP MODE WHICH IS ALLOWING THE VEHICLE ONLY ENOUGH POWER TO GET OFF THE ROAD (LIMP OFF THE ROAD). IT APPEARS DEALERS AND MECHANICS DON'T KNOW OR AREN'T TELLING. DON'T TELL THEM I HAVE THE SOLUTION, THEY ARE IN BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF YOU, DON'T GIVE THEM A HAND UP. THEY MAY WANT TO REPLACE YOUR THROTTLE BODY WHICH THEY CHARGE OVER $1,000 FOR AND IT DOESN'T FIX THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS CALIBRATION BETWEEN YOUR ACCELERATOR (GAS PEDDLE) POSITION SENSOR, COMPUTER AND ETC (THROTTLE) SENSOR. IT WILL COST YOU $0 AND 10 SECONDS TO SOLVE. GET IN, TURN THE KEY TO "ACCESSORY" POSITION JUST BEFORE TURNING THE ENGINE ON. LET ALL THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ON THE DASH RESET. ENGINE, "RED LIGHTNING BOLT" AND (IF EBRAKE IS ENGAGED) BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD BE ON. NOW PUSH THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR AND COUNT TO TEN. THE "RED BOLT" LIGHT SHOULD NOW TURN OFF AND YOU HAVE JUST RETEACHED OR CALIBRATED YOUR POSITION SENSOR. TURN THE KEY BACK OFF AND THEN TURN ON YOUR VEHICLE AND ENJOY THE RIDE.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 26, 2019PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY FERRARIO AUTO TEAM OF SAYRE (102 SPRING ST, SAYRE, PA 18840, (570) 888-2367) THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT CROSS MEMBER BAR WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE PART; HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 18, 2019133,800 milesPR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS MAINTAINED ITSELF ON APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS, AND EVERY 10-15 MINUTES IT SENDS ME AN ALARM, WARNING ME THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG, AND THAT THE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING ACCORDINGLY.THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING IN USE AND IN MARCH.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 2019190,000 milesMN

2009 JEEP COMPASS MANUAL TRANSMISSION ENGINE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND ALSO AT IDLING. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT USUALLY STARTS BACK UP AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT START, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIGHT UP, BATTERY IS GOOD, NOTHING WRONG WITH STARTER. SOMETIMES IT WILL START WITHIN MINUTES, OTHER TIMES IT STARTS AFTER A DAY OR TWO... RANDOM. BREAK PEDAL USUALLY VERY STIFF. HAVE HAS IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ONLY HAVE IT START AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 24, 2019FL

TAKATA RECALL...AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THERES NOTHING/ NOBODY IN PASSENGER SEAT.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 24, 201890,700 milesNJ

FRONT SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT ON 2009 WITH ONLY 90,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF DRIVING AND BRAKES, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS SHOULD NOT BE THIS ROTTED FOR A CAR OF THIS AGE. I BROUGHT IT TO MECHANIC FOR LEAKING OIL, AND WHEN HE LIFTED IT HE SAW RUST. THE OIL PAIN IS NOW GETTING REPLACED FOR CORROSION.

Suspension
Filed Aug 20, 2018OH

MY SON CAME FROM GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD HIS JEEP COMPASS IS DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD. FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. SUBFRAME SHOULD NOT BE BAD ON A 2009 VEHICLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 12, 2018OH

THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER IS RUSTED OUT TOTALLY. CANNOT BE DRIVEN VERY UNSAFE

Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2018115,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT FAILURE CODE: CU10001 FOR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT RECEIVING CONNECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 23, 201740,000 milesMO

VEHICLE STATIONARY-ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN VEHICLE DUE TO SMALL LEAK IN EMISSION SYSTEM AT GAS FILL NECK AND GAS CAP. APPEARS TO BE DUE TO FORMATION OF BROWN SUBSTANCE ON METAL GAS NECK. NEW GAS CAP HELPS FOR ABOUT 3 OR 4 FILL-UPS BEFORE IT BECOMES CONTAMINATED WITH THE BROWN SUBSTANCE.

Suspension
Filed Nov 9, 201798,000 milesPA

IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE, I JUST FOUND OUT THAT BOTH ARE NEED OF REPLACEMENT AGAIN AND IT THE COST IS OUT OF THIS WORLD. JEEP NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS. I UNDERSTAND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE.

Traction Control System
Filed Jul 19, 2017100,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Suspension
Filed Apr 25, 201746,700 milesNY

PREMATURE FAILURE (46700 MILES) OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOUND DURING ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. REPLACED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS.

SuspensionCrash
Filed Apr 17, 2017109,000 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK DEC 23 MORNING AND REAR SUB FRAME BROKE AWAY FROM CONTROL ARM SENDING ME IN THE DITCH..LUCKY IT WAS 25 MPH. HAD LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER LOOK AT IT AND BECAUSE IT WAS.MADE IT CANADA THEY WON'T FIX IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRNTY.. I JUST GOT THIS IN JUNE, AND STILL OWE 6500 ON IT.. CHRYSLER NEEDED TO STEP UP.. WHAT DOES IT MATTER WERE THE JEEP WAS MADE.YOUR PARTS WERE THE PROBLEM SO FIX IT..I COULD HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF FRAME ROT.. NEVER HAD A ISSUE IN MY 95 BLAZER!!

20 of 44 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20264100Routine
202526010Routine
202452010Routine
202345200Routine
2022222400Above average
202180020Routine
2020139120Routine
2019329220Above average
2018941650Above average
2017228430Above average
2016293120Above average
2015113120Routine
2014306270Above average
201380150Routine
2012184451Fatalities reported
2011187320Routine
201071230Routine
2009 — this page44100Routine
200893000Routine
2007259360Above average

Compare every Compass year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 9, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.