Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Jeep CompassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 80 owner complaints for the 2013 Jeep Compass. Most complaints involve power train (27) and air bags (16). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 3 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
3of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2016
Owner complaints
80
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

80 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2013 – Apr 2025
  1. Power train27
  2. Air bags16
  3. Electrical system13
  4. Engine10
  5. Seat belts9
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)7
  7. Vehicle speed control5
  8. Seats4
  9. Structure4

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
5
Injuries reported
6
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

27 reports4 crashes
“This vehicle before had the cvt transmission replaced as it was over heating/inoperable. Complete replacement. Flash forward not even a year I was driving and thr transmission made a noise and basically locked up causing the driver to hit curb at high rate of speed along the freeway. The vehicle again is disabled with a transmission defect and requires replacement. 2nd transmission failure and will need replacement and caused injury during collision with curb at high rate of speed without any indication lights of a mechanical issue prior to impact.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2023Power trainCrash reportedODI 11532355

Air bags

16 reports4 crashes2 fires
“I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH BENSONS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM IN GREER SC SINCE THE SPRING OF 2019 ABOUT RECALLS ON MY JEEP. FINALLY, MY DAD DECIDED TO JUST CALL CHRYSLER AND THEY SENT US TO THE BIG O WHICH IS IN GREENVILLE SC THE INSTRUCTED US THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS AND CALL US WHEN THEY COME IN. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 7 MONTHS SINCE WE CALLED THEM IN EITHER JUNE OR JULY ABOUT THIS AND SINCE IT IS AIRBAGS AND SEATBELTS WE ARE VERY CONCERNED WITH MY SAFETY IF I WAS TO GET INTO A WRECK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2020Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11317254

Electrical system

13 reports2 fires
“The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. June 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 aug 2022 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2022Power train, Electrical systemODI 11491729
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
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small 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$2,550360
Compass 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233025$2,550349
Compass 2WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222724$2,700368
Compass 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
222724$2,700366
Compass 2WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212723$2,800379
Compass 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
212623$2,800391
Compass 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Off Road Package · 4-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050418
  • 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 · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 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
Overall rating
3/ 5
3 of 5
Jeep Compass SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Overall
3 / 5
Jeep Compass SUV 2WD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 7230Vehicle 7229
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

2013 Compass questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Jeep Compass have?

1 safety recall 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 2013 Jeep Compass problems?

Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (27), air bags (16), electrical system (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Jeep Compass get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Jeep Compass at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Jeep Compass?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Jeep Compass 3 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026