2008 Jeep COMPASS FWD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 32 complaints (40.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.1% |
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 | 13 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 |
Suspension: 13; Steering: 4; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Interior Lighting: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 3 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 | 6 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2010: 3; 2011: 6; 2012: 7; 2013: 4; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10377192 · 2011-01-19 (January 19, 2011)
THE ROTORS ON MY JEEP COMPASS WERE MANUFACTURED TOO SOFT, SO THEY ARE WARPING NOW. DEALER SAID THAT I HAVE 40% BRAKE PAD LEFT, BUT THE REASON THE ROTORS ARE BAD IS BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE MANUFACTURED TO SOFT, AND NOW THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT TO PUT MORE DURABLE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 46,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10413449 · 2011-07-18 (July 18, 2011)
MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS BEGAN MAKING A LOUD NOISE A FEW MONTHS AGO. I RECENTLY BROUGHT IT IN AND HAD THE CONTROL ARMS REPLACED, BALL JOINTS, REAR BRAKES AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT. AFTER I LEFT THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHILE BRAKING, I BROUGHT IT BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT I NOW NEEDED TIE RODS, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTICED WHEN THEY DID THE ALIGNMENT. THE JEEP HAS LESS THEN 55,000 AND I ONLY DRIVE IT 20 MINUTES TO AND FROM WORK. JEEP REFUSES TO HELP ME BECAUSE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, WHICH I DID NOT FIND OUT UNTIL RECENTLY..THE CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10452107 · 2012-03-18 (March 18, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10860756 · 2016-04-21 (April 21, 2016)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10860756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10482397 · 2012-10-26 (October 26, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10957329 · 2017-02-27 (February 27, 2017)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10957329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10907396 · 2016-09-17 (September 17, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10907396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11151865 · 2018-11-15 (November 15, 2018)
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 C…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,240 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151865 at NHTSA ↗