2008 Jeep COMPASS 4X4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
71,089 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 43 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 47 complaints (42.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 6 | 12.8% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 12.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 12.8% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 10.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 20 |
| Steering | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Suspension: 20; Steering: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Structure:Body: 6; Power Train: 4; Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 7 |
2010: 3; 2011: 8; 2012: 6; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 6; 2016: 8; 2017: 4; 2018: 7
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10395232 · 2011-04-08 (April 8, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES IN ORDER TO RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE STALLED FIVE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. WHEN THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES DISPLAYED. THE WARRANTY REMAINED CURRENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED HER CASE TO A CASE MANAGER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,817 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,100.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10399783 · 2011-05-10 (May 10, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IT STALLED AND A RED SYMBOL WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A RED LIGHT BULB ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, HE WOULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. HE PERFORMED THE REPAIRS ON THE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399783 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10348721 · 2010-08-11 (August 11, 2010)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10383066 · 2011-02-17 (February 17, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY AN INCH OF SNOW ON THE GROUND WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME AND SHE HAD ACTIVATED HER FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS CHECKED THE CODES BUT WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10747270 · 2015-08-09 (August 9, 2015)
AFTER DRIVING 311 MILES FORM OCEAN CITY MD, WE STOPPED FOR A REST AT 179 N PLAZA ACCESS RD, SOMERSET, PA 15501. AFTER AN ESTIMATED 30 MINUTE BREAK, WE RETURNED TO THE JEEP FILLED WITH SMOKE. UPON GETTING MY FAMILY TO SAFETY, CLEARING THE DRIVER'S AROUND THE JEEP, CALLING 9-11, AND PULLING OUR LUGGAGE OUT OF THE JEEP, I DETERMINED THE REAR CARPET UNDER NEATH THE REAR COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. I REMOVED IT AND EXTINGUISHED IT. WHAT WAS FOUND AT MY LOCAL GARAGE WAS A CORRODED HOLE ON TOP OF THE MUFFLER (WHICH CAN ONLY BE DIAGNOSED BY REACHING…
Owner-reported narrative. 71,089 miles reported. Look up ODI 10747270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10850659 · 2016-03-20 (March 20, 2016)
RECENTLY MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH REFUELING. IT WOULD SPIT FUEL BACK OUT ANYTIME I TRIED TO FILL THE TANK. THE DEALER CLEANED THE CHECK VALVE IN THE FUEL TANK, BUT IT ONLY LASTED FOR ONE FILL UP. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! TODAY, FUEL CAME GUSHING BACK OUT AND SOAKED MY PANTS LEG AND SHOES. CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED OTHER JEEP MODELS (AND OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES) FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MINE IS NOT BEING RECALLED BECAUSE THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FOR MY MODEL. YET I LOOK ONLINE AND SEE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISS…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10442370 · 2012-01-04 (January 4, 2012)
THE STEERING BEGAN TO PULL SHARPLY TO THE SIDE. WHEN THE JEEP WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP, THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET THE PART IMMEDIATELY FROM THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PART WAS KEPT IN STOCK BECAUSE IT IS SO OFTEN REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT LOWER BALL JOINTS TYPICALLY LAST AT LEAST TWICE AS LONG AS THESE AND THAT CONTINUED DRIVING WITHOUT REPLACEMENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSING COMPLETE STEERING CONTROL. HE SAID HE BELIEVED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TO HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAD THE SA…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454071 · 2012-04-04 (April 4, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10897829 · 2016-08-22 (August 22, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897829 at NHTSA ↗