2008 Jeep Compass: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 93 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (33% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
93
owner complaints
0
fire reports
96,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest Compass years (#16 of 18 by complaints, age-adjusted)No fire reportsNo recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 96,000 mi)Weak spot: structure (33%)
Common problems
Computed from 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)33% · 28 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)21% · 18 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)13% · 11 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)10% · 9 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)8% · 7 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)5% · 4 complaints
“The vehicle stalled when waiting for lights and at low speed turning after the fuel tank was filled up. Multiple incidents had happened. No warning sign before the incident happened. Very dangerous because the vehicle stalled in moving traffic suddenly. Also, there was a gasoline smell near the vehicle when parked. Several mechanics tried to find the issue but failed.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2024
“I bought this vehicle in nov of 2021 took it to local mechanic who quoted me 1000 to fix it completely so I did a little at a time the suspension control arms and rockers completely bad! Now the vehicle only has130000 miles on it and the CVT worst transmission ever is going out which is 5000 to fix I can't believe there is no recall knowing these vehicles have and are know for bad transmissions so now I am not only out a vehicle I am out the money I spent on buying this vehicle not to mention what I have spent to fix it!”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2021
“Vehicle stalls out after filling gas tank with fuel. It stalls while idling in park and it stalls while driving in traffic and when stopped with foot on the brake. After rome online searching, the problem seems to be the vapor/liquid separator valve in the top of the fuel tank not stopping the charcoal filter from being flooded with fuel. This has happened numerous times in the month since I purchased the vehicle. It last happened on 09/10/2020”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“I bought a used vehicle from a small private used dealership in las vegas nv believing it had 134000 miles when in reality they knew that was not the real mileage it has over 172,000 cant get my money back cz they say I bought it has is they tamper with the odometer and lie to me I was recently aware when I got insurance from geico it was there when I saw the truth about the vehicle true history and odometer the dealership name is emporio auto sales located 2685 n nellis blvd, las vegas, nv 89115. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2020
“Balance shaft module has left metal in our oil.it went bad causing our engine to go dead while we was driving down interstate.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2020
“The jeep compass 2008 truck was on the highway and it turn on the airbag light and it started to turn it of and back on until it just left a solid airbag light. My vehicle hasn't in no accidents or any off rode use. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2020
“2008 jeep purchased brand new in 2010. In 2019 with only 71,000 miles and now viisible rust on the vehicle, my mechanic advised that the subframe was rotted through with rust and was soft and the subframe needs replacing ($1,750). I contacted fca (fiat chrysler automobile) and they told me the warranty expired and I would have to pay for it.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2019
“Rear subframe rusted to the point of needing replaced. Car has only 97000 miles on it. There is no reason that the car should be this rusted, there needs to be a recall on the rear subframes, and add additional support to ensure the safety of the vehicle.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2019
“T-bone accident - 1 suv ran red light - hit jeep at ca. 50 mph on passenger side, and hit other suv which was parallel to and left of jeep. Jeep traveled at ca. 20 mp (green light) air bags did not deploy on jeep, did on other two suvs which were bigger suvs - jeep driver sustained many injuries since airbags did not deploy*dt *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2019
“When filling the gas tank all the way up. The car locked up steering was uncontralloble brakes were locking on and off like jumping and almost hit an oncoming car. Car shutoff and went turn back on until 5 minutes in was in full motion going 55mph on a city street. Scariest time I've ever been driving. Now that I have researched there is numerous complaints of the same instance happening to others. Having to do with when the fuel tank is all the way full. Literally could have died. Someone will get badly injured or death if this is not corrected.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2008 Jeep Compass reliable?
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Jeep Compass. The most complained-about area is structure (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Compass problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.