Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2014 Jeep CompassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 308 owner complaints for the 2014 Jeep Compass. Most complaints involve air bags (91) and engine (91). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 2016
Owner complaints
308
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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

Engine

Free remedy

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200, and model year 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure.

EngineReported Nov 6, 2013NHTSA 13V552000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

308 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2013 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags91
  2. Engine91
  3. Seat belts53
  4. Electrical system36
  5. Vehicle speed control35
  6. Power train35
  7. Seats27
  8. Fuel/propulsion system25
  9. Service brakes19

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
20
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

91 reports12 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the center of the steering wheel was protruding outwards, and while attempting to sound the horn, the horn failed to operate. While entering the vehicle, the headrest on the driver's side was bumped and the headrest deployed. Approximately 2 months later, while entering the vehicle, the passenger’s side headrest deployed without impact. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to another facility to replace the air bags; however, the air bags were not replaced. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2026Air bags, SeatsODI 11718462

Engine

91 reports1 crash4 fires
“The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled, the steering wheel became inoperable, and the RPM went to zero. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after approximately 15 minutes. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was test-driven, and the failure was duplicated. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V552000 (Engine). Several dealers and the manufacturer were contacted, and the contact was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2026EngineODI 11717104

Seat belts

53 reports1 crash
“DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH IS NOT LATCHING TO THE BUCKLE. WHILE PUTTING SEAT BELT ON IT DISENGAGES FROM THE LATCH SYSTEM COMPLETELY. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RE-SECURE THE BUCKLE INTO THE LATCH CONTINUES TO ALLOW THE SEAT BUCKLE TO BECOME UNLATCHED. EXTREMELY UNSETTLING AS WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE KNOWING MY SEAT BELT COMES UNDONE AT ANY TIME. NOTHING IS TOUCHING THE BUCKLE OR LATCH SYSTEM TO CAUSE THE UNBUCKLE AT ANY TIME. HAVE CHECKED BY LOOKING INTO THE LATCH SYSTEM TO ENSURE NO DEBRIS IS INSIDE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2019Seat beltsODI 11256778
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 6-spd
Drive
4-Wheel Drive · Front-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 28, 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 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
232825$2,550360
Compass FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232825$2,550358
Compass FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233025$2,550349
Compass FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222624$2,700376
Compass FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700375
Compass FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700376
Compass 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
212723$2,800387
Compass 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050418
  • Compass 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 26 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Compass FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Compass FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 4WD
    Auto 6-spd, 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
    20 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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
4/ 5
4 of 5
Jeep Compass SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Jeep Compass SUV 2WD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 8179Vehicle 8178
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

2014 Compass questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Jeep Compass have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2014 Jeep Compass problems?

Owners filed 308 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (91), engine (91), seat belts (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Jeep Compass get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Jeep Compass at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Jeep Compass?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Jeep Compass 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026