2011 Jeep Compass Body & structure Problems

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and was difficult the steer. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the front subframe had failed due to severe corrosion, causing damage to the engine bay, and causing the engine and transmission to lower. The subframe and front lower control arms were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Recently, while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 98,500.

NHTSA ID

11679034

Incident

Aug 7, 2022

Mileage

98,500 mi

The rear subframe and suspension are rusted. I have been hearing a rattling sound for the past couple of weeks, especially when driving over bumps. When I took the car to my mechanic, he detected a cracking in the rear subframe/suspension due to the rust. If this would totally break it would be a substantial safety risk to myself, the driver, as well as other drivers on the road. No warning lights or messages appeared on the car to warn of this problem.

NHTSA ID

11570274

Incident

Feb 2, 2024

Was told that the sub frame is bad. After looking into it, it seems to be a known issue with the jeep compass.

NHTSA ID

11529457

Incident

Apr 17, 2023

My mechanic reported that car's rear control arm has broken away from frame of car and is a very unsafe condition to use. No warning was given. Was found during normal inspection on mechanics lift. Manufacturer would not help during owners notification of problem but recognized the seriousness of the problem. Dealer has not been notified just my mechanic professional's recommendation.

NHTSA ID

11482171

Incident

Aug 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle rear end swerved to the right while driving straight. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact regained control and stopped the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear underside was severely rusted; causing the rear suspension to separate from the under body. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ID

11477617

Incident

Jul 22, 2022

Mileage

105,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the wheels aligned, she was informed that the work could not be performed due to severe subframe corrosion. The vehicle was then taken to a second independent mechanic who provided the same diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ID

11471621

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

Mileage

133,000 mi

-The vehicles front subframe failed to support the vehicles stability, structure, weight, and momentum, during normal driving ,braking, acceleration from a stop, etc. -The corroded and complete 'rusted thru metal' subframe is available for visual/safety inspection, and photo's are attached. - Safety was severely compromised while driving, as the "Subframe to main channel frame" fastening bolt was sheared and broken off while driving, causing the vehicle to veer, without control, due to the engine weight and front end suspension/components shifting out of position. - Independent service centers and auto- mechanic statements in multiple car safety forums have indicated similar situations have occurred, and could be fatal at highway speeds/conditions. - The vehicle is scheduled for dealership inspection and consultation for further use, and/or repair. -No warning lights were initiated at time of this issue. Steering wheel vibration, and loss of steering control occurred.

NHTSA ID

11461342

Incident

Apr 16, 2022

Wife was driving her jeep when she started to veer to the left. went to turn to steering to get straight when it wasn't responding a lot of slack in the steering. called a tow truck when the tow truck lifted noticed the cradle/sub frame was broken. she was on a country road when it happened. If this was on a highway or interstate there would have been major collision resulting in death. there was no warning when it broke it just broke. after doing some research into why it would break the air conditioning hose to the water to drain was running on the sub frame which rusted and eventually break, the break shifted the engine about a foot and dropped about 10 inches Since she didn't hit anything or no property damage there was no police involved. I have reached out to chrysler with the issue with no response. My family was in danger due to a poor design that could of been avoided and what I read she wasn't the only one.

NHTSA ID

11440380

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER CONTINUED DRIVING WITHOUT FURTHER ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR K-FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11406498

Incident

Mar 30, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STATE INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED HER THAT THAT THE SUB PANELS ON THE VEHICLE WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11395840

Incident

Feb 10, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

EXTREMELY RUSTED AND CORRODED CROSSMEMEBER AND SUBFRAME RENDERING IT DANGEROUS OF FALLING APART ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION FROM THE STREETS TO THE EXPRESSWAY. SEEMS TO BE CORRODING AND RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

NHTSA ID

11373974

Incident

Nov 2, 2020

I BROUGHT IN MY 2011 JEEP COMPASS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND A SIMPLE REPAIR. MY MECHANIC CALLED WITH WHAT I BELIEVED WAS THE CALL THAT MY VEHICLE WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. TO MY SURPRISE, HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR ISSUE. HE STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE, EVEN THE MILE BACK TO MY HOUSE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THEY ADVISED ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THERE (APPROX. 1/2 MILE AWAY) AND LEAVE FOR REPAIR. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE FRAME WAS PLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE ISSUE AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY APPROX. $500-$1,000.00 FOR 'OTHER PARTS' AND AN ALIGNMENT WHEN REPLACING THE FRAME THAT WERE NOT PART OF THE WARRANTY. QUITE FRANKLY THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT SHOULD COST ME NO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR A FAILED PART, ESPECIALLY A FRAME ON A LESS THAN 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I AM INCREDIBLY THANKFUL THAT I BROUGHT IT IN PRIOR TO GIVING IT TO MY 17 YEAR OLD. VERY DANGEROUS! JEEP SHOULD COVER THE WHOLE COST! IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD THE PART ISN'T AVAILABLE FOR AT LEAST 4-6 WEEKS!

NHTSA ID

11354528

Incident

Sep 4, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

I GOT A RECALL FOR A RUSTED SUB FRAME, FRONT AND BACK IN WHICH ONE HAS A HOLE FROM RUST. I TAKE IT TO COURTESYS IN ALTOONA, PA. THE GUY EARNIE TELLSME THERE WILL BE PARTS SURROUNDING THE SUBFRAME NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL THAT MUST BE PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. I THINK EVERYTHING TO FIX MY CAR SHOULD BE COVERED. THEY SAW A WOMAN COMING! PISSES ME OFF TO NO END.

NHTSA ID

11344269

Incident

Aug 5, 2020

Mileage

77,000 mi

2011 JEEP COMPASS 4WD. HAD SHAKING IN STEERING WHEEL AND A WHEEL WOBBLE. EVEN AT DRIVING 40MPH OR LOWER. MECHANIC SAID THE CRADLE/CROSSMEMBER WAS RUSTED OUT. AT 8 YEARS OLD, THE ENGINE CRADLE SHOULD NOT BE RUSTED OUT. HUGE SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID

11282298

Incident

Nov 25, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE RATTLED AND THE STEERING SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND ROTTED OUT. THE CONTACT CALLED TRI-CITY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT 800-491-6295 (LOCATED AT 189 RTE 108, SOMERSWORTH, NH 03878) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11245019

Incident

Aug 13, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi

FRONT CROSSMEMBER HAD A RECALL I WAS NEVER CONTACTED AGAIN NOW THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION

NHTSA ID

11203498

Incident

Apr 13, 2018

TRIED TO GET INSPECTED AND REFUSED DEALER SAID SUBFRAME IS RUSTED AND REAR-CROSSMEMBER RUSTED , DEALER SMAIL SAID. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY !! SO MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD MY JERP FRAME BE RUSTED WHEN IT'S A 2011 !!

NHTSA ID

11161795

Incident

Dec 15, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STATE INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ID

10821776

Incident

Jan 22, 2016

Mileage

84,000 mi

I STARTED UP MY VEHICLE AND THE ETC LIGHT CAME ON, LET ME REMIND YOU THAT IT'S BEEN GOING ON AND OFF EVERY DAY, WELL, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND AS SOON AS I LET OFF THE BRAKE, MY CAR ACCELERATED TO 4 RPM'S AND I HIT THE BACK END OF A FAMILY FRIEND WHO WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY. I HAD THE BODY/MECHANIC SHOP TAKE A LOOK AT IT WHILE REPAIRING THE BODY, AND THEY HAD NO FOR SURE ANSWER. I HAVE HAD 5 DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND HAD MY CODES RAN MORE THAN ONCE. IT'S RIDICULOUS. THE ETC LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. IT'S ALL A MATTER WHICH DAY ITS GOING TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND WHICH DAY ITS GOING TO LOSE POWER. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER MULTIPLY TIMES. MY ARGUMENT IS THE FACT THAT IT ISN'T SOMETHING THAT I HAVE DONE TO THE CAR. WHAT IF SOMETHING WAS TO HAPPEN AND IT CAME ON WHEN I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SOMEBODY IS WALKING ACROSS THE ROAD AND MY CAR ACCELERATES. THAT FAMILY IS GOING TO SUE ME AND MY INSURANCE AND MY INSURANCE IS GOING TO SUE CHRYSLER. IT'S SO PATHETIC, IT COSTS ALMOST $100 JUST FOR THEM TO TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG. THEN, LORD KNOWS HOW MUCH IT WILL TAKE TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT ALMOST $500 TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM OURSELVES AND THAT OBVIOUSLY ISN'T WORKING. I HOPE THAT THEY'RE ARE OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM SO WE CAN GET IT FIXED WHICH IT WHAT SHOULD'VE BEEN DONE A LONG TIME AGO. THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND NONE OF WHICH HAVE FOUND A FIX TO THE PROBLEM. MY CAR NOW HAS 114,000 MILES ON IT AND I STILL HAVE 4 YEARS LEFT TO PAY ON IT. AND QUITE FRANKLY, DUE TO THIS ISSUE I WILL PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER JEEP AGAIN, CHRYSLER AS A MATER OF FACT. I HOPE NOBODY HAS GOTTEN HURT THOUGH! THANKS! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JB *TR

NHTSA ID

10761551

Incident

Apr 30, 2015

Mileage

98,000 mi

THE EXHAUST HANGER ALLOWED THE EXHAUST TO SHIFT UP INTO THE BUMPER CAUSING THE REAR BUMPER TO MELT. I JUST NOTICED IT HAS GONE UP UNDER THE TAILGATE TOO, CAUSING IT TO NOT SHUT COMPLETELY. WHEN I AM DRIVING IT I CAN SMELL EXHAUST COMING INTO THE CAR. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL JEEP DEALERS AROUND OUR AREA AND AM TOLD THERE IS "NO RECALL" AND SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP. I CANT DRIVE THE CAR BUT HAVE TO KEEP PAYING THE PAYMENTS - I CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THAT AND I CANT SELL OR TRADE WITH IT IN THIS CONDITION....PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT OTHER OPTIONS I HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10534777

Incident

May 1, 2013

Mileage

40,000 mi

THE EXHAUST HANGER ALLOWED THE EXHAUST TO SHIFT UP INTO THE BUMPER CAUSING THE REAR BUMPER TO MELT/BURN. MY FAMILY'S LIVES WERE PUT IN DANGER AND MY BUMPER WAS RUINED BECAUSE OF THIS ENGINEERING DEFECT. [XXX], CEO OF TOWN & COUNTRY DEALERSHIPS IN OREGON SENT AN EMAIL TO WARN HIS CUSTOMERS OF THIS PROBLEM STATING THE FOLLOWING: "DEAR PATRIOT AND COMPASS OWNERS, .... SOMETHING OF CONCERN THAT WE FEEL WE SHOULD SHARE WITH YOU. THE ISSUE HAS TO DEAL WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE ON (NON LIMITED) MODELS. IN PARTICULAR THOSE MODELS THAT DO NOT HAVE CHROME TIP EXTENSION ON THE END OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. WE HAVE NOTICED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THAT IF BY CHANCE YOU SHOULD RUN OVER AN OBJECT, OR IF SOMETHING HITS THE PIPE OR MUFFLER, IT CAN CAUSE THE PIPE TO SHIFT UPWARD. IT POTENTIALLY MAY LOCK AND POSITION ITSELF APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES HIGHER THAN IT NORMALLY SHOULD. THIS MAY CAUSE THE EXHAUST TO HIT THE BACK OF THE PLASTIC BUMPER COVER AND CAUSE IT TO GET EXTREMELY HOT. IT MAY CAUSE THE BUMPER TO POTENTIALLY MELT AND BURN. THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN A HANDFUL OF CASES NATIONWIDE; I BELIEVE LESS THAN 3 FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD ... PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT COME UP WITH AN OFFICIAL FIX... [XXX] AT THIS TIME CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR WARN CONSUMERS, CLEARLY PLACING THOSE JEEP OWNERS LIVES IN DANGER. CHRYSLER WILL NOT TAKE ACTION TO FIX THE FIRE HAZARD VEHICLES THEY ARE SELLING UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT MAKES THEM. VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE BY SEARCHING "JEEP COMPASS BUMPER MELTING" AND "JEEP PATRIOT BUMPER MELTING." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10483778

Incident

Oct 30, 2012

Mileage

34,055 mi

AS I WAS PUTTING ITEMS IN THE REAR OF MY COMPASS THE REAR HATCH FELL ON MY BACK. I SAW IT START TO COME DOWN AND CAUGHT IT WITH MY ARM AND TRIED TO LIFT IT OFF OF ME, BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ORDERED AND RECEIVED THE PARTS ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, HOWEVER JEEP IS WAITING FOR MORE INFORMATION TO REPLACE THE HATCH STRUTS, AS I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE JANUARY WITH THE REAR HATCH RUBBING THE PAINT OFF OF THE BUMPER AS WELL. IF I WOULD NOT OF SEEN THIS COME DOWN ON TOP OF ME AND WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT HIT MY BACK, IT COULD OF SERIOUSLY INJURED ME. OR IF A SMALL CHILD WOULD OF BEEN LIFTING IT, AND IT FELL ON THEM, IT WOULD OF CRUSHED THEM AS THE REAR HATCH IS VERY HEAVY WITH BAD STRUTS. THERE IS NO REASON THESE STRUTS SHOULD OF FAILED AS THE CAR IS ONLY 15 MONTHS OLD AND 10400 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10478196

Incident

Sep 15, 2012

Mileage

10,400 mi

I SHUT THE HATCH ON MY 2011 JEEP COMPASS THAT WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED. I TOOK IT UP TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT IT, THEY TOOK PICTURES AND SUBMITTED THEM TO CHRYSLER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE AND REPAIR THE WINDOW BECAUSE THEY SAID THERE IS NO POSITIVE WAY TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *KB

NHTSA ID

10416501

Incident

Jul 31, 2011

Mileage

2,195 mi