Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 Jeep Compass problems
Owners filed 81 complaints about the 2010 Jeep Compass with NHTSA between Oct 2010 and Feb 2024. The most-cited component is air bags (19).
Complaints
81
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags19
- Structure13
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Seat belts11
- Electrical system9
- Vehicle speed control7
- Suspension7
- Steering6
- Power train6
- Engine5
- Service brakes4
- Seats3
- Exterior lighting2
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
4
4
2
4
8
5
22
8
13
5
2
1
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
19 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“The brake and ABS are on. Also there is a lightning bolt that appears on the cluster. The honk does not want to work as well and it is associated with the airbag since its installed with it in the center of the steering wheel.”
Structure
13 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact's son-in-law owns a 2010 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change and tire rotation, the mechanic informed him that the rear subframe was cracked. The mechanic advised the contact's son-in-law to not drive the vehicle until the rear subframe was replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
12 reports1 fire
“EVERY TIME I FILL MY JEEP UP IT STARTS JERKING THEN COMPLETELY QUITS. I RESTART MY JEEP AND START TO PULL OUT ONTO THE STREET AND/OR HIGHWAY IT STILL JERKS FOR THE FIRST FEW SECONDS THEN QUITS. I HAD A ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND HAD TO REPLACE THE CANISTER COSTING ME $248.00 NOT COUNTING LABOR COST. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUES FOR THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS TO DATE, THE JERKING AND SHUTTING OFF OF MY JEEP”
Seat belts
11 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED LEFT WITHOUT YIELDING THE RIGHT OF WAY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO ENGAGE AND ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND BURNS TO THE LEFT ARM, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO A LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER DEEMED DESTROYED. THE WINDSHIELD, PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT, AND DRIVER'S DOOR WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL AT THE FARICY BOYS CHRYSLER JEEP (4950 NEW CAR DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80923, (855) 846-8666). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *BF *TR”
Electrical system
9 reports2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY, THE HORN ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.”
Vehicle speed control
7 reports1 crash
“System failed was the throttle body, power (engine?) and brakes. I was unable to accelerate while going up a hill. When this happened the whole vehicle shut off which wouldn't allow me to push in the break pedal since I was still in drive. This could of caused us to be hit from the traffic following behind me. This put our lives at risk. Unknown, unsure what is being questioned as far as repeoducing a problem? It has failed my states safety inspection yesterday. I just purchased this vehicle a week ago. Warning lights were lightening bolt, abs light and traction control light.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.