2008 Jeep COMPASS 4X4: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10340790 · 2010-06-30 (June 30, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. SHE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITENTLY OFF AND ON AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF WIRE MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE AIRBAG DETONATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340790 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 10352204 · 2010-08-26 (August 26, 2010)
BALL JOINT ON THE 2008 JEEP COMPASS IS HAS GONE BAD AFTER JUST 50,000 MILES. OVER 1/2 " OF PLAY IN THE JOINT THAT COULD CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING A DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10352204 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 10384199 · 2011-02-23 (February 23, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS SPORT 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE IN SNOWY WEATHER, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE REAR LOWER BALL JOINTS, WHICH WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY, WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384199 at NHTSA ↗
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 10421646 · 2011-08-26 (August 26, 2011)
MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS, WITH APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES, REQUIRED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TO BOTH BE REPLACED OR RISK A SERIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THESE PARTS SHOULD HAVE LASTED AT LEAST TWICE AS LONG AS THEY ACTUALLY DID AND THE TECHNICIAN AT THE JEEP DEALERSHIP I SPOKE WITH SAID THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL OF JEEP WITH THIS SPECIFIC PART. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT INSPECTED BECAUSE IT WAS RIDING ROUGH. IF WE HAD NOT TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AT THE TIME WE DID THEN THERE WAS A STRONG POSSIBILI…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10421646 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.