2009 Jeep COMPASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
88,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 44 complaints (29.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 11.4% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 11.4% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 11.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 11.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.3% |
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 | 13 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Suspension: 13; Structure:Body: 6; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 4; Steering: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 5; 2017: 7; 2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 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 10389741 · 2011-03-10 (March 10, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED OR ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V528000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE -TCM, PCM). THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10389741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10490059 · 2012-12-26 (December 26, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V528000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,852 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,852 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10322971 · 2010-03-31 (March 31, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED DURING THE WINTER AND WARM WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE FRONT AND REAR CALIPERS WERE LUBRICATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,858.
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10322971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11006461 · 2017-07-19 (July 19, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11006461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10734903 · 2015-07-18 (July 18, 2015)
THE DRAIN IN THE SUNROOF IS DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS PROBLEM. I CONSTANTLY "CLEAR THE DRAIN AS TOLD BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP" BUT THE DRAIN STILL LEAKS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AND THIS BECOMES A MAJOR DISTRACTION. THE WATER IS DRIPPING FROM MY OVERHEAD LIGHTS DOWN INTO MY GEAR SHIFTER. THIS IS A MAJOR DISTRACTION TO ME BECAUSE IT TAKES MY ATTENTION AWAY FROM MY DRIVING WHILE I AM FOCUSING ON TRYING TO STOP IT FROM LEAKING ALL OVER MECHANICS IN MY VEHICLE AND ALSO TRYING TO KEEP IT FROM SHORTING OUT MY ELE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10734903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10958401 · 2017-03-03 (March 3, 2017)
THEY (DEALERS) KEEP SAYING MY WIRING HARNESS NEEDS REPLACE. THEY REPLACE IT ONCE ON 7/11/16 CAUSE MY RADIATOR FAN WOULD NOT COME ON AND THEY REPLACE THE TIMP. NOW THE FAN WON'T TURN OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY IS OUT. MILES ON THIS IS 130,859 I BELIEVE THERE A ISSUE WITH THIS WIRING HARNESS P/N 68043111AB AND THE TIMP P/N RL028007AD CHECK AND SEE HOW MANY REPLACEMENTS THEY PUT IN THESE MODELS. I WENT TO A JUNK YARD AND ALL THE COMPASS'S TIMP OR FUSE BOX HAD BEEN REMOVED.
Owner-reported narrative. 129,957 miles reported. Look up ODI 10958401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10925933 · 2016-11-14 (November 14, 2016)
SUBFRAME ROT. AT 70,000 MILE STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST DUE TO A CRACK IN THE FRONT SUBFRAME CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE RUST/ROT. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES SINCE THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED. THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE WITH A 12 INCH LATERAL CRACK THROUGH THE CROSS MEMBER. THIS CAUSED TOTAL FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING FAILURE. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN OR MOVED UNDER ITS OWN POWER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT AND DODGE CALIBER. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME ONE GETS H…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10925933 at NHTSA ↗