2011 Jeep Compass problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Compass, most often about suspension. There are 3 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 49
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- 105,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Suspension is the most-reported problem area, named in 17 of 49 complaints (35%).
- Body & Structure (13) and engine (8) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 105,000 mi.
- The 2011 Jeep Compass has 3 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 14th of 20 Jeep Compass model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 390% more complaints than the 2010 model year (10).
2011 Jeep Compass problems by category
- Suspension17 complaints
- Body & Structure13 complaints
- Other / Unknown11 complaints
- Engine8 complaints
- Steering6 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion5 complaints
- Brakes4 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts3 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain3 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control3 complaints
- Electrical System2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires2 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers2 complaints
- Airbags1 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech1 complaints
- Lighting1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 17 |
| Unknown or other | 11 |
| Structure:body | 10 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Power train | 3 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2011 Jeep Compass recalls (3)
- AIR BAGS · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
- AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · SEAT BELTS
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.
Risk: In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.
- STEERING:COLUMN
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, jeep wrangler, chrysler 200, chrysler 200 convertible, dodge avenger, dodge nitro, jeep liberty, dodge caliber, jeep compass, jeep patriot, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
Risk: A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 4, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…
- PE19014Opened Sep 9, 2019Closed Feb 25, 2026
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments in…
Recent 2011 Jeep Compass complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Feb 7, 2026FLElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
[XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] 2/7/26 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern regarding ongoing, critical safety issues with my vehicle, which have been increasingly dangerous while driving. These issues appear to be interconnected and involve multiple components, including the valve body, transmission, TCM, ABS module, ECM, and throttle body. These problems have posed significant risks to my safety and the safety of others on the road. On several…
NHTSA complaint #11716492 · source - Filed Aug 7, 202598,500 miOHTowedBody & Structure
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.…
NHTSA complaint #11679034 · source - Filed Nov 26, 2024FLBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
speedometer doesn't work, ABS, Brakes, engine and traction light keeps on. THE SHIFT LEVER CHANGES BY ITSELF FROM D TO M while driving. ABS module has to be replaced at my cost when other 2011 jeep compass have a recall F 50 for the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11627421 · source - Filed Nov 14, 202464,000 miPAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH after refueling, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and worked as designed; however, the failure recurred while driving after refueling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
NHTSA complaint #11625149 · source - Filed Jul 6, 2024ILOther / UnknownSteeringSuspension
Rust thru/failure of the front cross member subframe. I noticed a clicking/rubing sound coming from the front of my 2011 Jeep Compass. Over several days it got worse. I took the car to the same dealership that I bought the car from new and was told it was a rust thru on the subframe and that the car was not safe to drive. At this point there were NO warning lights or other indication that the front end was approaching a catastrophic failure. I contacted Jeep and was told…
NHTSA complaint #11599548 · source - Filed Jun 11, 2024PRFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
Cuando estoy con el vehiculo en marcha suben las revoluciones del vehiculo este diminuye la velocidad corriendo, lo cual podria ocacionar un accidente
NHTSA complaint #11593776 · source - Filed Feb 6, 2024CTBody & StructureSuspension
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 complaint #11570274 · source - Filed Sep 9, 2023MASuspensionWheels & Tires
2011 Jeep Compass with 62,000 miles on it the subframes rod about the wheel almost fell off the arm that holds the wheel fell off the rear frame and that could have caused the real big accident accident would have lost control of the vehicle and they told and dealership told me that the warranty expired 2 years ago it was a 10-year extension on it so they did not do it it's because they used cheap metal and they know they did but they will not fix it I just fixed the rear…
NHTSA complaint #11543610 · source
Compare the 2011 Jeep Compass with another vehicle →
Other 2011 Jeep models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology