Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Jeep Compass problems

Owners filed 113 complaints about the 2015 Jeep Compass with NHTSA between Apr 2015 and May 2026. The most-cited component is engine (30).

Complaints
113
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine30
  2. Electrical system22
  3. Air bags16
  4. Vehicle speed control15
  5. Seats12
  6. Power train10
  7. Fuel/propulsion system8
  8. Service brakes6
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)6
  10. Steering4
  11. Structure3
  12. Engine and engine cooling2
  13. Wheels2
  14. Exterior lighting2

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 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20158
20162
20176
201813
201920
202013
202117
202211
20237
20248
20255
20263

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

30 reports1 crash1 fire
“It’s been over a year since I’ve experienced stalling problems with my Jeep. At first, it would happen every once in a while. Now, it occurs everyday. There doesn’t appear to be a trigger as it happens while driving on an interstate, highway, while turning, etc. My Jeep will completely shut off and I will lose power steering. This has left me stranded in the middle of roads and on highways numerous times. The only thing I can do is put the car in park, turn the ignition off, put my safety hazards on, and pray no one hits me until it starts back up again. This has been a big mystery as no indicator lights appear on the dash board, nor do any codes appear on the reader when plugged into the vehicle. Many others Jeep owners have experienced this exact same issue and I have not been able to find the root cause of the issue and neither have the Jeep manufacturer dealerships.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2024Electrical system, EngineODI 11597254

Electrical system

22 reports1 crash1 fire
“2months after purchase with only 42000 miles check engine light and ETC lights come on, horn stopped working, am/fm radio no longer working. Sometimes when check engine light and ECT lights come on, vehicle loses acceleration or accelerates on its on. Other times while driving engine stalls. Radio and horn have not worked since. Vehicle has been repaired several times by previous owner. Multiple stored codes when read at dealer. Dealer has no idea what is causing problems.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2023Electrical systemODI 11526898

Air bags

16 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated intermittently. The contact inquired with the dealer if there was a recall associated with the VIN. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2025Air bagsODI 11651760

Vehicle speed control

15 reports
“My 2015 Jeep Compass will randomly stall while I am driving... randomly breaking while im driving. Then very frequently it will not let me drive past 20 miles per hour (sometimes slower than this). It randomly acts like this. It always feels like it does not want to accelerate... it will sometimes but most times doesn't. I have taken it to both a private service center and to the dealership multiple times. The dealership states each time they see nothing wrong with my car. No codes pop up. Also when this happens nothing pops up on my dashboard. Driving this car has put me at risk multiple times that I refuse to drive it now. The last time I drove it, it was going 10 mph and I was reversing into my driveway and the car randomly sped up while I was reversing then went back to going super slow. I know someone in the same area as me with a jeep and she said her jeep has been doing similar things and the dealerships don't know what's wrong with it. The car has a mind of its own and is unsafe to me the driver and the drivers around while it is on the road. Nothing was wrong with my car prior to this... this randomly started happening and never stopped months later.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 13, 2024Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11582819

Seats

12 reports
“Passenger headrest exploded while parked - thankfully it happened overnight while no one was in the seat. I checked online and there’s tons of reports of this exact issue with no way to repair it or recall it. There’s only the option to replace it from a parts store and it’s $500. Please enforce this as a recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2025SeatsODI 11678033

Power train

10 reports
“The minute the front tires start to slip on any surface, I lose power in the engine, I don't have front wheel drive or 4x4. The 4x4 light comes on the dash with an exclamation point and flashes. It rear drive shaft doesn't engage. This makes my vehicle useless. The smallest amount of mud, snow or ice/slush-the vehicle just doesn't work. Its very dangerous to be driving when this happens! I've seen some jeep Cherokees being recalled for the PTU (power train unit), but that's only something with the computer system. This problem I'm experiencing makes me believe the PTU is no good, and if that's the case this is going to be at least a $2500 fix or more!! I am not the first owner on this vehicle, I think I'm the 2nd. Why doesn't Chrysler give a full powertrain warranty regardless of which owner you are?!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2024Power trainODI 11633444
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

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