2022 Jeep Compass User Complaints and Problems
Since the launch of the second generation of the Jeep Compass back in 2018, owners have been piling up with a huge number of complaints on this SUV. The 2018 Model year would come out as one of the worst years for the Jeep Compass with almost 535 complaints registered against it as per the NHTSA. Most of the complaints lodged fall under the powertrain, Electrical system, and passive/active safety equipment categories. A concerning number of mechanical defects have also been brought up by owners in the same period.
Listed below are the most common problems of the Jeep Compass and their implications on the ownership experience.
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine- Engine issues plagued the Compass ever since the inception of its second generation. Multiple owners have complained about the engine overheating and oil over-consumption issues. Even though owners were given radiator replacements at the dealer level for the former issue, no official statements on this issue have been released. Newer model years of the Jeep Compass do suffer from random engine stalling issues when coming to a halt. This was later found to be a defective voltage regulator chip which was replaced under factory-initiated recall.
- Transmission- Even though not as widespread as the engine issue, a handful of owners have complained about clicking noises, clunky shifts, and even stuck gears on the Jeep Compass’s transmission. A TCM reflash has been said to have resolved most of these issues.
- Service Brakes- Low brake fluid warning, an emergency brake that won’t go off, and jammed brakes are some major issues pointed out with the braking system on the Jeep Compass. No crashes or injuries have been reported on this issue though. This issue has plagued mainly the 2018 and 2019 model years.
- Steering issue- Steering complaints is one other common problem that has affected many 2018 and 2019 model year Compass owners. The complaints mainly include flashing of dashboard warning mentioning “steering torque service required”, loss of power steering functionality after coming to a stop and pulling of the SUV to the sides without any steering input. While some owners got the error code erased, some needed replacement of the entire rack and pinion setup. No crashes were reported against these issues though.
Electric System Complaints
- Faulty Start-Stop system- Probably the most common complaint that even affects the brand new model years. Multiple instances where the engine does not restart on tap throttle after stopping at a red signal, have been mentioned. Drivers are forced to manually restart the engine, which in some cases, does not work.
- Exterior lighting- The rear license plate light reflection blinds the backup camera at night. Multiple owners complain about near misses as the object on the screen only comes into visibility when the vehicle is dangerously close to it.No crashes relating to this issue have been recorded though.
Structural Complaints
- Tire deflation- At least 4 instances where the tire deflates without warning have been registered against the Jeep Compass on NHTSA. In most cases, the loss of air pressure occurred while on the move which seriously compromises the safety of the SUV. The vehicles which had this issue were specifically mentioned to have been running on Continental tires. No crashes or injuries were reported in this case.
- Suspension issues- Front struts, sway/ stabilizer bar, and lower control arms needed replacements on low-run vehicles. Rattling noise and jumpy ride are symptoms of these issues that owners have noticed prior to the diagnosis of the complaint.
Safety Complaints
- Airbag issues- Multiple instances wherein the airbags on the Jeep Compass do not deploy in the event of a crash have been filed and several injuries relating to this issue have been mentioned. Even though faulty airbag module nuts were fixed under recall, no official statement over the former issue has been brought out.
- Faulty drive aid systems- The forward-collision warning system is said to be triggered with no traffic or obstruction in front of the vehicle. The Vehicle displays a “brake” warning notification on the dash despite having no traffic in the vicinity of the vehicle.
Since it has been almost 5 years since the second-gen Compass’s introduction, Jeep has managed to cut down the complaints on the SUV to an extent that less than 10 complaints have been lodged against the 2021 model year all through its life cycle. Data on the performance of the 2022 Jeep Compass is limited but we expect it to perform well, given the clean track record Jeep has maintained with this compact SUV.
|
Category
|
Number of complaints
|
|
Fuel and Propulsion System
|
62
|
|
Engine/ Powertrain
|
578
|
|
Safety
|
130
|
|
Service brakes
|
23
|
|
Electrical
|
301
|
|
Structural
|
64
|
2022 Jeep Compass Recalls
The 2022 Jeep Compass is devoid of any recalls and so is the 2021 model year. Before we go and praise the brand for this, we should realize the fact that this car has been running in its second-generation avatar since 2017. Going back a few years in time, we observe that the second Jeep Compass has gone through almost 10-recalls. The table lists out some of the major recalls initiated by the brand since 2017.
|
S. No
|
Date
|
NHTSA ID
|
Issues Noticed
|
Additional Remarks
|
|
1.
|
9Th April 2020
|
20V208000
|
Visibility
|
The windshield wiper arm/arms may loosen causing the wipers to not operate properly, limiting the driver’s visibility in certain weather conditions
|
|
2.
|
9th August 2018
|
18V523000
|
Insufficient coating on rear brake caliper pistons
|
Rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating which can cause gas pockets to form and thereby reduce braking performance
|
|
3.
|
9Th August 2018
|
18V524000
|
Voltage regulator may fail and cause a stall.
|
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
|
|
4
|
1st May 2018
|
18V279000
|
Lower control arm separation
|
Separation of the lower control arm can cause the vehicle to lose control and result in a crash.
|
|
5
|
21St November 2017
|
17V732000
|
Passenger airbag assembly may contain loose nuts
|
Unsecure inflator mounting nuts can become a potential projectile in the event of an airbag deployment which may result in serious injury to the occupants
|
|
6
|
21St November 2017
|
17V740000
|
Instrument brightness not adjustable
|
The bright instrument cluster which cannot be dimmed can distract the driver at night which may result in a crash.
|
|
7
|
21st December 2017
|
17V824000
|
Fire extinguisher may be clogged or inoperable
|
The onboard fire extinguisher may not work properly risking injury in the event of a fire
|
|
8
|
24th October 2017
|
17V670000
|
Oil pump failure causing stall
|
An oil pump failure can cause the engine to stall which could result in a crash.
|
|
9
|
7th July 2017
|
17V433000
|
User guide has incorrect jumpstarting information
|
The user could incorrectly hook up the battery jumper if they follow the user guide which may cause personal injury
|
|
10
|
9th May 2017
|
17V301000
|
Half shaft may disengage/ loss of drive
|
If the left front half shaft disengages or breaks, the vehicle will have a loss of drive. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without using the parking brake, the vehicle may roll, despite being in 'Park.'
|
Compared to the competition, the 2022 Jeep Compass stays on par with the 2022 Honda CR-V, the 2022 Mazda CX-5, and the 2022 Kia Sportage, recording no recalls to this day. The 2022 Ford Escape and the 2022 Hyundai Tucson on the other hand have 1 recall each under their belt for Reduced braking performance and inoperable Headlamps/ tail lamps, in order. The Jeep Compass also comes with a clean slate in the previous year as well, with no records of recalls.
|
Component Affected
|
2022
|
2021
|
2020
|
2019
|
2018
|
2017
|
|
Safety
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
|
Exterior
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Electric
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
Interior
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
|
Drive System
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
|
Fuel System
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Engine
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
Which Jeep Compass model year should you avoid?
Given the sheer number of complaints lodged against the 2018 model year, we would suggest that you stay away from this model. This single year has clocked in more than 500 complaints against the SUV as per the NHTSA. This essentially does not affect the credibility of the brand or the SUV though, as any new-generation product could come across this. So, a 2019 or a newer model can be considered a safe bet with the Jeep Compass as far as ownership satisfaction levels are concerned.
Should you buy a used Jeep Compass?
If you like Jeep, chances are that you will also love the Compass. If you can look past the initial niggles that this compact SUV came with, the Compass comes out as a solid product from the automaker. It boasts the solid build that you associate with every Jeep product and also comes out as one of the most capable compacts in its segment. It invariably is not the most practical, frugal, or reliable compact SUVs out there, but if you want a compact that does anything you throw at it, the Compass is all yours. All said, as with any Jeep, a clean service/maintenance record is a must-have for a used buy.
