Jeep Compass Engine Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 1,256 of the 3,493 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Jeep Compass (36%) name the engine, 1.9× the median share across the 152 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2018, 2019 and 2016.
Engine complaints
1,256
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
36%
of 3,493 complaints for this model
Engine recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Jeep Compass engine complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Engine and Engine Cooling. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Engine recalls | Engine TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 17 | 9.9% | 1 | — | 7 |
| 2009 | 7 | 10.9% | 0 | — | 5 |
| 2010 | 5 | 6.2% | 1 | — | 5 |
| 2011 | 40 | 21.4% | 2 | — | 0 |
| 2012 | 38 | 20.7% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2013 | 10 | 12.5% | 1 | — | 14 |
| 2014 | 93 | 30.4% | 6 | 13V552000 | 19 |
| 2015 | 32 | 28.3% | 2 | — | 25 |
| 2016WORST | 156 | 54.5% | 3 | 16V907000 | 18 |
| 2017 | 71 | 31.1% | 1 | — | 30 |
| 2018WORST | 473 | 51% | 10 | 17V670000 | 30 |
| 2019WORST | 162 | 50.3% | 3 | — | 21 |
| 2020 | 82 | 60.3% | 1 | — | 32 |
| 2021 | 19 | 25% | 0 | — | 17 |
| 2022 | 36 | 16.6% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | 7 | 15.6% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | 6 | 12.2% | 2 | — | 35 |
| 2025 | 2 | 10% | 0 | — | 27 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the engine.
Common Jeep Compass engine problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 1,256 engine complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Jeep Compass years to avoid for the engine
2018 Jeep Compass
473 engine complaints (51% of the year's 927). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving. Covered by engine recall 17V670000.
2019 Jeep Compass
162 engine complaints (50.3% of the year's 322). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving.
2016 Jeep Compass
156 engine complaints (54.5% of the year's 286). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving. Covered by engine recall 16V907000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 engine complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Jeep Compass years to avoid.
Jeep Compass engine recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Engine for any Jeep Compass model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 17V670000 · 2017-10-24 · 2018 models
The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
- 16V907000 · 2016-12-16 · 2016 models
The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.
- 13V552000 · 2013-11-06 · 2014 models
Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Jeep Compass have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 473 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Jeep Compass, 51% of all 927 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (268 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 17V670000. 10 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2019 Jeep Compass have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 162 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2019 Jeep Compass, 50.3% of all 322 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (86 complaints). 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2016 Jeep Compass have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 156 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Jeep Compass, 54.5% of all 286 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (99 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 16V907000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Jeep Compass years have the most engine complaints?
2018 (473), 2019 (162) and 2016 (156), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the engine. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Jeep Compass engine problems?
In the 1,256 engine complaints, owners most often describe stalling or shutting off while driving (52.5%), misfire or check-engine light (18.8%) and oil consumption or oil leaks (15%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a engine failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Jeep Compass model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a engine complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Engine and Engine Cooling.
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 engine complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration