2008 Jeep COMPASS FWD: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10358394 · 2010-09-30 (September 30, 2010)
AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, THE MAP LIGHTS BECOME FILLED WITH WATER AND LEAK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10369824 · 2010-12-09 (December 9, 2010)
AFTER ANY RAIN STORM, THE MAP LIGHTS BECOME FILLED WITH WATER AND LEAK. REPEATED OCCURRENCE, HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TO BE "REPAIRED" THREE TIMES (AND COUNTING). WATER WILL SPILL OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, EVEN WHILE DRIVING. HAVE OFTEN BEEN SURPRISED BY SUDDEN "GUSH" OF WATER, WHICH IS A MAJOR DISTRACTION AND A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED MANY OTHER JEEP COMPASS AND JEEP PATRIOT OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,379 miles reported. Look up ODI 10369824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10370435 · 2010-12-13 (December 13, 2010)
I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE WATER COMING IN THROUGH THE MAP LIGHT, MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIME'S, THE WHOLE SUN ROOF AND EVERYTHING AROUND IT HAS BEEN REPLACED, I WAS TOLD TOO MUCH INSULATION WAS PUT IN BY THE DOOR AREA. WHO KNOWS THE REAL PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10370435 at NHTSA ↗
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 10377197 · 2011-01-19 (January 19, 2011)
NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. LIVE IN OHIO. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND CONTROL ARM PIVOT BOLTS NEED REPLACED. APPARENTLY, THE BALL JOINT BEARING INSIDE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS ALREADY BAD. CHRYSLER JEEP HAS NOT GREASED THE BEARING WHEN PACKING THE BALL JOINT INTO THE CONTROL ARM; THEREFORE BY SKIPPING THIS PROCESS THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSE OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING IF CONTROL ARM FAILS WHILE DRIVING. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. APPARENTLY, JEEP HAS DECIDED TO SKIP THIS LITTLE STEP WHEN MANUFACTURING MY JEEP COMPASS. …
Owner-reported narrative. 46,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10401071 · 2011-05-16 (May 16, 2011)
THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY VEHICLE IS BROKEN JUST AFTER 2 YEARS AND 2 MONTHS FROM THE PURCHASE DATE (NEW VEHICLE). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10401071 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 10427885 · 2011-09-29 (September 29, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS HAD TO REPLACED. THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND DURING INSPECTION THEY NOTICED THE FAILURE ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE REPAIR COST WAS $900 AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED SHE SHOULD CONTACT NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10427885 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.