2008 Jeep Compass 4X4 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Jeep Compass 4X4, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension2233.8%
- Steering1116.9%
- Fuel system69.2%
- Body & structure69.2%
- Powertrain (other)46.2%
- Engine34.6%
- Electrical34.6%
- Brakes34.6%
- Airbags23.1%
- Other / unspecified23.1%
- Driver assistance11.5%
- Tires & wheels11.5%
- Transmission11.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERE NOISE AND FRAME RUSTED OUT!
RECEIVED THE FEBRUARY 15, 2017 LETTER ABOUT THE WARRANTY EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS/ UNLIMITED MILES ON THE FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBERS. AT THE TIME OF THE LETTER THE CONDITION MENTIONED HAD NOT BEEN EXPERIENCED. THE CONDITION DID PRESENT ITSELF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR WERE RECOMMENDED BE REPLACED HOWEVER WAS INFORMED THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS FROM THE BUILD DATE WHICH WAS IN OCTOBER 2007 THEREFOR MISSING THE WARRANTY PERIOD BY A MONTH. IF THE LETTER STATED THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE AN INSPECTION COULD HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED BEFORE IT EXPIRED.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT.
THE CROSSMEMBER (SUBFRAME) IS ROTTING AWAY AND WHEN THIS PART FAILS A SERIOUS CRASH MAY RESULT. JEEP ISSUED A BULLETIN (23-012-14) FOR 2007 COMPASS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION TO WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS AND IF FOUND TO REPAIR WITHOUT COST TO OWNER. JUST CALL JEEP ABOUT MY 2008 COMPASS AND THEY TOLD ME SINCE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPERIED I WOULD BE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST. FIRST OFF, THE CROSSMEMBER SHOULD NOT ROT AWAY AFTER ONLKY 8 YRS, SECOND SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE 2007 HAD A PROBLEM , MY 2008 SHOULD BE INCLUDED. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SINCE THE FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD RESULT IN LACK OF CONTROL AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL JEEPS TO INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY PARTS SHOWING SEVERE RUST AND ROTTING.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WITHIN 2 MINUTES AFTER PUMPING GAS CAR STALLS AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND CAR SHUTS OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SITUATION AFTER PUMPING WHETHER STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY, TURNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED/TOPPED OFF THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR STEERING LOCKS UP AND IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. IT HAPPENS UNTIL THE GAS TANK IS LESS THAN FULL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEVERE NOISE AND FRAME RUSTED OUT!
THE REAR END WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. TOOK IT INTO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS CLOSE TO BREAKING. HE HAD TO SECURE THE REAR END TO THE FRAME WITH RATCHET STRAPS TO ALLOW ME TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC WHO COULD FIX IT. ONLY ONE BOLT SECURED THE REAR END TO THE FRAME IT WAS SO DAMAGED. HAD IT BROKEN OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF NOT KILLED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE ME AND FIANCE DRIVE DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65-70MPH ON A HOT DAY, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE LIGHT TURNS ON AND WE LOSE ALMOST ALL POWER AND CANT GET IT TO GO. WE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANS COOLER, TRANS LINES,AND TRANS FLUID. BUT THE ISSUE IS STILL HAPPENING. IT IS ALMOST GETTING TO THE POINT OF WHETHER WE SHOULD EVEN TRY TO GET IT FIXED OR WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO FIX IT. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WE HAD ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT. SPARKS AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLAMES EXTINGUISHED THEMSELVES AND THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AT HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, AND BEARING SEIZED. THE FRONT AXLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 171,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR HAS ~79,000 MILES. IT STALLS AFTER FILLING UP EVERY TIME. AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINS OF KEEPING THE IDLE UP BY PUSHING THE GAS THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO AWAY. I'VE READ THAT THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS LINE OF VEHICLES (INCLUDING PATRIOT).
I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, AT THAT POINT MY CAR WOULD NO LONGER MOVE WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED MY TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT. SPARKS AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLAMES EXTINGUISHED THEMSELVES AND THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AT HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, AND BEARING SEIZED. THE FRONT AXLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 171,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO HEAR STATIC COMING FROM THE RADIO THAT CAUSED THE RADIO TO POWER OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE RIGHT. SPARKS AND FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLAMES EXTINGUISHED THEMSELVES AND THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AT HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, AND BEARING SEIZED. THE FRONT AXLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 171,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS SPORT 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE IN SNOWY WEATHER, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE REAR LOWER BALL JOINTS, WHICH WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY, WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. UPDATED 04/29/11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO HEAR STATIC COMING FROM THE RADIO THAT CAUSED THE RADIO TO POWER OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. SHE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITENTLY OFF AND ON AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF WIRE MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE AIRBAG DETONATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CROSSMEMBER (SUBFRAME) IS ROTTING AWAY AND WHEN THIS PART FAILS A SERIOUS CRASH MAY RESULT. JEEP ISSUED A BULLETIN (23-012-14) FOR 2007 COMPASS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION TO WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS AND IF FOUND TO REPAIR WITHOUT COST TO OWNER. JUST CALL JEEP ABOUT MY 2008 COMPASS AND THEY TOLD ME SINCE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPERIED I WOULD BE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST. FIRST OFF, THE CROSSMEMBER SHOULD NOT ROT AWAY AFTER ONLKY 8 YRS, SECOND SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE 2007 HAD A PROBLEM , MY 2008 SHOULD BE INCLUDED. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SINCE THE FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD RESULT IN LACK OF CONTROL AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL JEEPS TO INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY PARTS SHOWING SEVERE RUST AND ROTTING.
THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2010. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET ONE OF THE TIRES REPLACED. THE AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS FOUND MULTIPLE PROBLEMS IN THE CONTROL ARM AND THE BALL JOINT OF THE WHEEL. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON TO JEEP COMPASS. I JUST WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT SUPPOSE TO OCCUR UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ALL THE TIME OR ALWAYS DRIVEN TO VERY FAR DESTINATIONS. IN THIS CASE, IT IS NOT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM MIGHT BE CAUSE BY SOMETHING ELSE, LIKE BUMPS ON THE ROAD, OR A HEAVY OBJECT HIT ON THE ROAD. I DO NOT RECALL ANY INCIDENTS WITH MY JEEP COMPASS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW AND NOT SUPPOSE TO HAVE THAT KIND OF PROBLEM THAT COULD POTENTIALLY HARM MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 5/2014, THE FOLLOWING DAY I NOTICED ODOMETER JUMPED UP ABOUT 300 MILES AND I LIVE ONLY ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALER. I ALSO NOTICED THAT TPM LIGHT CAME ON AND HALF THE RADIO WAS LIT. I TOOK IT BACK THE VERY NEXT DAY AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD NEED IT TO ORDER A NEW CLUSTER PANEL AND REPLACE THE RADIO. THEY ALSO CLAIMED THEY REPLACED ALL 4 TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS AS WELL AS TPM MODULE. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. IT WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS THEN I STARTED GETTING EVEN MORE LIGHTS TO TURN ON FROM THE CLUSTER PANEL. NOW I HAVE THE 4X4 AMBER LIGHT, TRAC CONTROL, TPM MAINT, AND THE ABS LIGHTS TO TURN ON, I FEEL I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE DAY 1. I NEED HELP. TOTAL I PAID ABOUT 13,000 FOR THE CAR. I NEED ANSWERS. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER IS DEFECTIVE. ITS NOT RECOGNIZING A CHASIS GROUND. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE A FATALITY TO GET CHRYSLER TO LOOK INTO THIS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN. I FEEL THE CHRYSLER DEALER ALSO KEPT INFORMATION PRIVATE TO TRY AND MAKE A SALE. M GOING TO THE LOCAL MEDIA IF THIS ISN'T RESOLVED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE PURCHASED 4 GOODYEAR WRANGLE TIRES IN 2012 AND EXPERIENCED 2 BLOW OUTS AND HAVING ISSUES WITH ANOTHER. WE CONTACTED GOODYEAR AND THEY RESPONDED WITH WARRANTY INFORMATION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON ANY INCLINE IN THE DRIVE POSITION WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INSTEAD OF FORWARD OR REMAINING STEADY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THEY FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BUT THE OWNER TOLD HER THAT THEY REPROGRAMMED "IT" BUT DID NOT IDENTIFY WHAT COMPONENT WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 13,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .