2008 Jeep Compass FWD Owner Complaints

OUR 2008 JEEP COMPASS HAS A CLUNKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE FRONT WHEEL WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEEL. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THE SUBFRAME IS HEAVILY CORRODED AND IS RUSTING OUT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL AND WAS COVERED UNDER AN 'EXTENDED WARRANTY' BULLETIN THAT WE WERE NOT TOLD ABOUT AND NOW THAT HAS EXPIRED AND IT IS NOT COVERED ANYMORE. I WAS TOLD THE BULLETIN EXPIRED 9/2017 SO NOW 1 YEAR AND 7 MONTHS LATER MY VEHICLE WITH ONLY 112K MILES IS GOING TO NEED AN EXPENSIVE FIX OR BASICALLY BE JUNKED. THE 2007 VEHICLES HAD A RECALL AND EVEN THOUGH MINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2007 THERE IS NO RECOURSE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11195476

Incident

Apr 9, 2018

Mileage

112,000 mi

I RECENTLY DISCOVERED WHEN BRINGING MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS TO A MECHANIC THAT MY ENTIRE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. THE SUBFRAME IS SO ROTTED OUT THAT HE SUGGESTED GETTING IT TOWED HOME BECAUSE THE WHEEL MIGHT COMPLETELY FALL OFF IF I HIT A POT HOLE HARD ENOUGH. THE BODY ON MY JEEP IS NEARLY FLAWLESS AND THE ENGINE ONLY HAS 70,000 ORIGINAL MILES. IS SEE ON OTHER SITES THERE IS A RECALL ON ALL THE COMPASS MODELS LEADING UP TO THE 2007 MODEL DUE TO THE SUBFRAME ROTTING OUT. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD WITH THE 2008 MODEL LEAVING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY WORTHLESS BEING THAT IT'S TOTALLED. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE SUBFRAME TO BE COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT BUT MY ACTUAL FRAME IS COMPLETELY FINE? I'D REALLY LIKE SOME ANSWERS.

NHTSA ID

11182674

Incident

Feb 12, 2019

Mileage

70,000 mi

IN AUGUST 2018, I WAS INFORMED BY A REPUTABLE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT ANOTHER AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DID WORK ON MY VEHICLE LESS THAN A MONTH PRIOR, "TURNED OFF" THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WENT BACK TO THAT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO, BECAUSE ITS ALL IN ONE PANEL. ON 11/11/18, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET REPLACEMENT BULBS, BUT THEY ADVISED THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND I SHOULD GO TO A MECHANIC. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A 2008 JEEP COMPASS INCLUDING SUSPENSION WORK AND OTHER MAINTENANCE. I WAS JUST INFORMED ON 11/15/18 THAT THE TIPM IS OUT CAUSING THE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS TO NOT WORK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THIS IS A DEALER ONLY PROBLEM AND COULD COST ME UP TO $2000. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I FIND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER IN 2015. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN. IN FACT, ALL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2008 JEEP COMPASS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN ALL LAWSUITS. I WAS NOT CONTACTED BY ANYONE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOW THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE SAFETY ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ID

11151865

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

Mileage

95,240 mi

MY FRONT/REAR CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED BADLY AND SWAY BAR RUSTED OFF. I BOUGHT THIS FROM A PRIVATE SELLER IN END OF 2016,I WAS JUST INFORMED FROM MIENIEKE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS A 10 YEAR RECALL ON THIS. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID RECALL WARRANTY EXP MAY 2018. I WAS NEVER INFORMED IN A TIMELY MANNER ABOUT THE RECALL TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR FROM MY TWO CHILDREN AND MYSELF. I NEED THIS FIXED,I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR AS I'M DISABLED AND CANT WORK ANYMORE. PLEASE HELP ME. PLEASE THIS ISN'T FAIR I WANT INFORMED ABOUT THIS. I SHOULD'VE GOT THE RECALL AS THE NEW OWNER. MY NAME IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11142855

Incident

Oct 24, 2018

I WAS DRIVING ALONG. HIT MY BRAKES. AND THEN MY DRIVER FRONT WHEEL SCREECHED AND WENT INTO THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS A ROTTED OUT SUB FRAME. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE WRECKED AND POSSIBLY NOT BE ALIVE NOW. I WAS LUCKILY ON A BACK ROAD SO THERE WAS NOT ANY INJURIES.

NHTSA ID

11124658

Incident

Sep 4, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

EVERYTHING I FILL THE GAS TANK AS SOON AS I LEAVE THE STATION THE CAR SPITS ANS SPUTTERS AND JERKS THEN STALLS THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR STALLS THE STEERING STOPS WORKING PROPERLY WHILE THE CAR IN IN MOTION

NHTSA ID

10957329

Incident

Feb 27, 2017

Mileage

109,000 mi

FRONT SUB FRAME ROTTED THRU FRONT END OF CAR FELL APART. NO WARNING. DRIVING THRU PARKING LOT, THANK GOD NOT ON HIGHWAY. SHOULD NOT HAVE ROTTED LIKE THAT ON 9 YEAR OLD CAR SOMEONE COULD'VE BEEN KILLED. CALLED JEEP THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR NEW SUBFRAME EVEN THOUGH THEY COVER 2007 SUBFRAMES ROTTING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. COSTING US $1800.00, COULD'VE BEEN MUCH WORSE. DISGUSTED.

NHTSA ID

10926172

Incident

Nov 15, 2016

Mileage

105,000 mi

I TOOK MY CAR TO A LICENSED AUTO REPAIR SHOP DUE TO A RATTLE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 84000 MILES ON IT AND NOW I DONT FEEL SAFE. SINCE PURCHASING IT I HAVE HAD TO PUT A WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING PUMP ON NEW BEARINGS IN THE FRONT AND. FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE OIL CHANGES AND SUCH. THE CAR WAS BUILT IN 12/ 2007 . I NOTICED A RECALL ON 2007 JEEP COMPASS DUE TO BAD STEEL SO I BELIEVE MY 2008 COMPASS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO FAULTY PARTS.

NHTSA ID

10907396

Incident

Sep 16, 2016

Mileage

84,000 mi

OVERTIME IT RAINS MY FRONT DOME LIGHT FILLS WITH WATER AND IT DRIPS/LEAKS/GUSHES OUT. BROUGHT IT IN SEVERAL TIMES, THEY "CLEAN THE FILTERS" BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2008 WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I NOW DRIVE WITH A TOWEL TO HOLD OVER LIGHT OR I LAY IT ACROSS UNDER LIGHT TO CATCH THE WATER. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO HAD SO MUCH WATER LEAK INTO SHIFTING KNOB AREA THAT SOMETHING SHORTED OUT IN MY CAR AND IT STARTED ON ITS OWN! THERE WERE NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND IT WAS RUNNING. I WAS DRIVABLE WITH KEYS IN THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF! DROPPED IT AT DEALERS OVERNIGHT AND IT WAS DEAD IN THE MORNING. THIS TERRIFIED ME! HAD MY BARKING DOG NOT AWAKENED US, WE COULD HAVE BEEN POISONED WITH CARBON MONOXIDE. THIS IS WHY I KEEP A TOWEL IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

10860756

Incident

Apr 10, 2012

Mileage

75,000 mi

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE TO A LOCAL PLACE (NOT DEALER). HE TOLD ME THAT THE CRADLE/K FRAME WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND LOOKED DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, HE RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND SEE IF IT COULD BE REPAIRED THERE AT NO CHARGE TO ME, HE SAID AN 8 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT MUCH RUST. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT GANDRUD JEEP (GREEN BAY, WI) TODAY AND THEY CONFIRMED THE CRADLE/K BAR WAS THOROUGHLY RUSTED AND HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT. THEY TOLD ME THE 2007 JEEP COMPASS HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND JEEP EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS ON THE FRAME SO THIS COULD BE REPAIRED FOR NO CHARGE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT AND THAT I SHOULDN'T. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TOMORROW TO HAVE IT REPLACED, IT'S GOING TO COST APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO REPLACE THAT PIECE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS SITES/BLOGS/COMMENTS ON OWNERS OF THE 2008 JEEP COMPASS HAVING A COMPLETELY ROTTED FRAME AND FRUSTRATION THAT THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S MODEL WAS RECALLED/EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT COULD BE REPLACED. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS FAULTY PIECE THAT THE OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF AND REPLACED. I DON'T BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR, THERE IS CLEARLY SOME ISSUE WITH THE COATING ON THIS PIECE THAT CAUSES IT TO RUST SO QUICKLY AND COMPLETELY. I AM LUCKY THAT THE GUY CHANGING MY OIL MENTIONED IT TO ME, I USUALLY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE BUT THEY'RE OUT OF THE WAY. I ALSO AM CONCERNED THAT EVERY 3-4 MONTHS I GET AN OIL CHANGE AND GANDRUD NEVER MENTIONED IT TO ME, I DON'T KNOW HOW QUICKLY THIS PART RUSTED OR IF THEY NOTICED. PLEASE CONSIDER RECALLING THIS PART, THIS RUSTED BAR COULD CAUSE MANY ISSUES (EVEN FATAL) IF LEFT ALONE. I ALSO TOOK A FEW PICTURES THAT I WILL BE SENDING INTO JEEP.

NHTSA ID

10860750

Incident

Apr 20, 2016

Mileage

111,000 mi

WHEN I RAINS VERY HEAVILY OR SNOWS, WATER WILL START TO LEAK OUT OF THE FRONT DOME LIGHT. SOMETIMES IT DRIPS, SOMETIMES IT IS A STEADY STREAM THAT COMES OUT. I TALK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY IT IS DOING IT. WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AS THE WATER SPILLS ALL OVER MY DASH, RADIO, AND GEAR SHIFT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10703734

Incident

Dec 9, 2014

Mileage

82,400 mi

THE PART IS FRONT AND WHEEL HUB BEARINGS. TOOK MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AND THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT AND REAR HUB BEARINGS ARE DETERIORATED BUT NO OTHER PART WAS. WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO A JEEP DEALERSHIP. I TOOK IT IMPERIAL JEEP IN MENDON, MA AND THEY CHECK IT AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THESE PARTS ARE DETERIORATED. SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. CONTACTED JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY 50% BUT WAS NOT TOLD THAT THE OFFER WAS ONLY VALID FOR 30 DAYS SO WHEN I CALLED BACK WHICH WAS PAST THE 30 DAYS, I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE ORIGINAL OFFER. NOT SURE WHERE I CAN GO FROM HERE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10561066

Incident

Jan 22, 2014

Mileage

87,000 mi

WHEN THE CAR PULLS UP TO A STOP LIGHT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES, AND THE IDLE DROPS. IT DROPS FROM AN NORMAL IDLE 500-600 TO BELOW 500. THEN SHAKES LIKE A TRACTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10514911

Incident

Jun 3, 2013

Mileage

57,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,100. *TR...UPDATED 05/22/13 *BF

NHTSA ID

10504532

Incident

Mar 19, 2013

Mileage

54,100 mi

OUR JEEP IS OUT OF DATE FOR WARRANTY, BUT UNDER 36,000 MILES. WE TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS ABSURD FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS LOW MILEAGE. WE WERE TOLD THAT "JEEP" KNOWS THERE WAS A PROBLEM, AND HAS SINCE CORRECTED IT IN NEWER MODELS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE...!! SO WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL FOR IT...? WHY DO I HAVE TO CARRY THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF A DESIGN FLAW...? I'VE READ OVER A DOZEN OTHER'S IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS, AND THAT'S ONLY FROM THOSE WHO CONTACTED NHTSA. THERE MUST BE A BETTER RESPONSE FROM JEEP. ISN'T JEEP THE ALL AMERICAN VEHICLE...? *TR

NHTSA ID

10501375

Incident

Mar 4, 2013

Mileage

34,245 mi

VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A THUDDING NOISE THAT CORRELATED WITH THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE FASTER I DROVE THE FASTER IT WENT. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS PLAY IN THE TIE RODS AND BALL JOINTS ON RIGHT SIDE ABOUT 1/4 ON TIE ROD AND 1/4 ON BALL JOINT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10501087

Incident

Jan 16, 2013

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP CAMPUS FWD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL METAL NOISE HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A STATE INSPECTION WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT AND TIE ROD FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT AND TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE YEAR PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10484950

Incident

Nov 12, 2011

Mileage

36,000 mi

ALL VEHICLE POWER CUTS OUT UNDER VARIOUS DRIVING SPEEDS WITH NO RHYME OR REASON ALMOST AS IF IT STALLS (EVERYTHING DIES AND THE GAS PEDAL RELEASES) THERE IS NO HESITATION OR SPUTTERING IT IS INSTANT LIKE TURNING THE KEY OFF, BUT AFTER 2 SECONDS PICS BACK UP WHERE IT LEFT OFF. IT HAPPENS ANY WHERE FROM ONCE A MONTH TO SOMETIMES THREE TIMES A DAY. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT BECAUSE IT DID NOT DO IT WHILE THEY HAD IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10482397

Incident

Oct 3, 2011

Mileage

42,000 mi

MY JEEP COMPASS IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 35000 MILES ON IT. THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND TIE RODS NEED TO BE REPLACED. SO FAR THIS IS COSTING ME $500.00. AND I AM NOT DONE YET. WITH A NAME LIKE JEEP I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE A BETTER BUILT CAR. TO ME THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. AND UNACCEPTABLE FOR AN AMERICAN MADE CAR.

NHTSA ID

10476341

Incident

Sep 1, 2012

MY JEEP COMPASS IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE TIE RODS NEED REPLACED. SO FAR IT HAS COST ME $500.00 AND I AM NOT DONE YET. WITH A NAME LIKE JEEP I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE A BETTER BUILT VEHICLE. I CAN SEE THIS HAPPENING AFTER 10 YEARS WITH SOME OFF ROADING. TO ME THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND I WOULD THINK UNACCEPTABLE FOR AN AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10475328

Incident

Sep 6, 2012

Mileage

34,000 mi

HAD TO HAVE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. AT ONLY 26,000 MILES ALL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10462053

Incident

Jun 18, 2012

Mileage

26,000 mi

I'VE HAD BRAKE NOISES FROM MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS SINCE ABOUT 500 MILES. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER OVER FOUR TIMES, AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION ALSO MAKES A TERRIBLE NOISE/VIBRATION WHEN STOPPED FOR A LIGHT OR OTHER SITUATION AFTER IT IS WARMED UP.. THE DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL. I'M APPROACHING 22,000 MILES, AND I BET THEY WILL FIND THE PROBLEM WHEN IT HITS 30,000. WE WILL SEE IF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERS THIS STUFF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10452107

Incident

Mar 12, 2012

Mileage

500 mi

THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING WERE WORN OUT. THE MECHANIC REPLACED RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND INSTALLED NEW PINCH BOLTS, NUTS AND WASHERS. MY VEHICLE HAD ONLY 43,000 MILES WHEN THE ISSUE WAS DETECTED. I DO NOT DRIVE ON DIRT ROADS AND/OR DO ANY OFF ROADING. JEEP DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS AN ISSUE ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS AND FORUMS WITH JEEP COMPASS AND PATRIOT OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES WITH VEHICLES HAVING FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10450115

Incident

Feb 27, 2012

Mileage

43,000 mi

REPLACE DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT AND BOTH TIE ROD ENDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10435592

Incident

Nov 1, 2011

Mileage

42,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS HAD TO REPLACED. THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND DURING INSPECTION THEY NOTICED THE FAILURE ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE REPAIR COST WAS $900 AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED SHE SHOULD CONTACT NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ID

10427885

Incident

Sep 12, 2011

Mileage

28,000 mi