Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2011 Jeep CompassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 188 owner complaints for the 2011 Jeep Compass. Most complaints involve power train (37) and engine (30). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2016
Owner complaints
188
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: pretensioner

Remedy pending

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Seat beltsReported Sep 15, 2016NHTSA 16V668000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.

Air bagsReported Jun 4, 2013NHTSA 13V233000

Steering: column

Free remedy

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

SteeringReported Jun 8, 2011NHTSA 11V315000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

188 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2011 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train37
  2. Engine30
  3. Suspension27
  4. Structure23
  5. Electrical system20
  6. Steering19
  7. Air bags17
  8. Vehicle speed control14
  9. Fuel/propulsion system11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Compass model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007434
2008172
200964
201081
2011188
2012184
201380
2014308
2015113
2016293
2017229
2018947
2019331
2020143
202181
2022225
202349
202453
202529
20265
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

37 reports
“[XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] 2/7/26 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern regarding ongoing, critical safety issues with my vehicle, which have been increasingly dangerous while driving. These issues appear to be interconnected and involve multiple components, including the valve body, transmission, TCM, ABS module, ECM, and throttle body. These problems have posed significant risks to my safety and the safety of others on the road. On several occasions, while driving at highway speeds (approximately 70 mph), the traction control and ABS warning lights have illuminated, and the vehicle has suddenly lost acceleration. This malfunction seems to cause the car to change gears unexpectedly or, in some instances, stop accelerating altogether. As a result, I have been forced to pull over to the side of the road in order to perform a YouTube-suggested reset just to get my vehicle back in motion. This situation has nearly led to accidents, as I have found myself stranded in traffic, unable to accelerate, or worse, pulling into traffic where the car fails to accelerate, almost causing collisions with other vehicles. Additionally, during colder…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11716492

Engine

30 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH after refueling, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and worked as designed; however, the failure recurred while driving after refueling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2024Fuel system, gasoline, EngineODI 11625149

Suspension

27 reports1 crash
“Rust thru/failure of the front cross member subframe. I noticed a clicking/rubing sound coming from the front of my 2011 Jeep Compass. Over several days it got worse. I took the car to the same dealership that I bought the car from new and was told it was a rust thru on the subframe and that the car was not safe to drive. At this point there were NO warning lights or other indication that the front end was approaching a catastrophic failure. I contacted Jeep and was told that a special 10 year extended warranty had expired in 2022. The dealer offered no help in covering the cost either. I was never informed about the extended warranty, or I would have had the car checked. The thing that really makes me mad is the rust thru occurred on only one side because the A/C drain was routed so it dripped condensation onto the frame on that side. I have the subframe and have included pictures.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2024Steering, Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11599548
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Compass 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232825$2,550355
Compass 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232925$2,550355
Compass 2WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232724$2,700370
Compass 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
222724$2,700370
Compass 2WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212723$2,800386
Compass 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
212623$2,800386
Compass 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Off Road Package · 4-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050423
  • Compass 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Off Road Package
    20 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Jeep Compass as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 694Vehicle 693
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Compass questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Jeep Compass have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Jeep Compass problems?

Owners filed 188 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (37), engine (30), suspension (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Jeep Compass get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Jeep Compass at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026