10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
122,947 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Jeep Compass engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Jeep Compass Owner Comments

problem #13

Jul 232020

Compass 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought a used vehicle from a small private used dealership in las vegas nv believing it had 134000 miles when in reality they knew that was not the real mileage it has over 172,000 cant get my money back cz they say I bought it has is they tamper with the odometer and lie to me I was recently aware when I got insurance from geico it was there when I saw the truth about the vehicle true history and odometer the dealership name is emporio auto sales located 2685 N nellis blvd, las vegas, nv 89115.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #12

Apr 092020

Compass

  • 123,000 miles
Balance shaft module has left metal in our oil.it went bad causing our engine to go dead while we was driving down interstate.

- Estillfork, AL, USA

problem #11

Jul 152019

Compass

  • 200,000 miles
When filling the gas tank all the way up. The car locked up steering was uncontralloble brakes were locking on and off like jumping and almost hit an oncoming car. Car shutoff and went turn back on until 5 minutes in was in full motion going 55mph on a city street. Scariest time I've ever been driving. Now that I have researched there is numerous complaints of the same instance happening to others. Having to do with when the fuel tank is all the way full. Literally could have died. Someone will get badly injured or death if this is not corrected.

- Baltimore, OH, USA

problem #10

Jul 102019

Compass

  • 206,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After refueling within 1-2 miles spits spuders bucks, then stalls! safty is at issue of causing a accident or getting hit!!!! make Jeep accountable! happens evertime now 6 mos.

- Lehighton, PA, USA

problem #9

Feb 082019

Compass

  • 189,000 miles
The subframe is rotting out to the point it's dangerous to drive

- Plover, WI, USA

problem #8

Feb 122018

Compass

  • 96,316 miles
I just got gas and was about to pull into traffic when out of the blue my engine just stopped running. The radio and lights were still working but when I put my foot on the gas pedal I never moved. I had to restart the engine just to get going again. There was not even any warning lights on the dashboard and still aren't.

- Tiffin, OH, USA

problem #7

Aug 152016

Compass 4WD 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that there was engine cradle corrosion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they diagnosed that the engine cradle would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000....updated 12/28/16

- Waading River, NY, USA

problem #6

Apr 072016

Compass

  • 119,245 miles
So this among other issues start late last year with our 2008 Compass. Was sitting at stop light and the vehicle just stalled out. Jeep started right up and was fine the rest of the day. My wife drives it more then I do and she says it stutters quite frequently and often tries to stall out. Most recently, it stalled out dropping the kids off in the drop off line. This time it took 1-2 minutes to re start. No engine light, no warning, nothing. Took it to a Jeep dealership that day for them to take it a look at it. But of course like many consumers on here and other sites, they cannot find the issue. They drove my Jeep frequently for 2 days and still they cannot figure the problem. So like many others, we are stuck with a vehicle that has issues that do not show themselves. I have sent this issue to my local tv station to may be help investigate why there is no recall for this issue as its a safety concern. Clearly this is an issue as there are a lot of the same complaints. What will it take for someone to get hurt or die before they send out a recall? so we are forced to look into a new vehicle (not a Jeep Compass) because we don't feel safe driving this vehicle anymore. It should not be that way. Just figured I would share my experience along with others. Word of advice, believe the ratings for Jeep Compass and stay clear of purchasing them. -jb-

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #5

Sep 242015

Compass

  • 127,000 miles
Whining noise coming from engine over 65 mph. Had no problems with transmission before. Did regular maintenance on the Jeep Compass. Driving on the freeway and noticed transmission oil light came on. Couldn't move in the gears. Had to pull over for a 1 hr to let car cool off. Later drove to my mechanic. No code found. Took it to a reputable transmission shop and he told that these 2008 Jeep Compass have bad transmission design and they go out around 130,000 to 145,000. I need new fluid, transmission cooler, adjustment but I opted to just get the a new transmission since that is a bad design for that particular model. Manufacturer should open a recall on these Jeep. The location where I took mine already had several in for repairs.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 252015

Compass

  • 91,000 miles
2008 Jeep Compass engine cradle failed nys inspection due to premature rusting. 2007 model year was extended warranty for 10 years on engine cradle because of premature rusting. My Jeep was manufactured in March of 2008. I am sure the engine cradle part was manufactured in 2007 and placed into the 2008 because no replacement or update was made to the part between 2007 and 2008. Jeep refused to cover the 2008 which I had to pay for repair. This part if not repaired and during an accident will cause serious structural damage to the vehicle which could cause serious injury or death to the occupants in the vehicle. I have taken photos and the failed nys inspection notice. I have also made a copy of this report for my records.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #3

Apr 162015

Compass

  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Compass. While parked, the vehicle leaked fuel and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000. The VIN was not available.

- Dearborn , MI, USA

problem #2

Aug 152014

Compass 4-cyl

  • 241,748 miles
Driving and engine just shut off. June 18,2014 driving and engine just shut off. July 10,2014 driving and engine just shut off. July 29,2014 driving and engine just shut off. August 6,2014 driving and engine just shut off. August 16,2014. This is the last straw!!! I was on a four lane and my car just shut off. Everyone was putting on breaks and honking their horns at me. I hit the emergency flasher fast having getting to know where it was from the other times I stalled out of the blue! it is a wonder I wasn't killed. What is wrong with Jeep all of their cars should be recalled period. This is going to the dealership Monday and they will be picking it up. I don't feel safe driving it anymore!

- Lincolnton, NC, USA

problem #1

Jun 282014

Compass

  • miles
My husband was driving the speed limit which was 70mph. All of a sudden the car slowed down to 40mph. It would not go any faster. He even tried to give it a little more gas but it still would not go any faster.then it slowed down to 35 then 30. There was nothing you could do. It sounded like the transmission would not shift. It sounded like it was in a lower gear and would not shift to a higher gear. The car then started to over heat. We opened the sun roof, rolled down the windows and turned off the ac. We even turned the heat on as recommended in the manual but no luck. We ended up having to stop. On the interstate this was horrible. I thought we were going to be hit from behind. People are going to fast and even though your in the right lane they don't slow down but try to go around you. It's the people who can't get over into the left lane and just about run over you that is terrifying. We were told by the Chrysler dealership that this happened to the Jeep Compass all the time. Sometimes 1-2 times or 2-3 times. They will diagnose the problem and fix it. How can you fix something after its run the transmission so hard" my thing is put a new transmission in it and whatever else it needs new. We have a bumper to bumper warranty and I can bet we will be charged something. Who is to say it won't happen again, or when my grandchildren are with me" I wish I had known about this problem with this Jeep I personally wouldn't have bought it. It has already been paid off and darn, look what just happened. I would like to know how many other people have had this same problem and how many times and what was done about it.

- Plant City, FL, USA

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