Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Jeep Compass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The frame Infront where the motor and steering attach rotted completely threw, separated at the weld. It is a safety hazard where steering is affected. The dash lights for the traction, abs, and even the cruise control are on and those items are no longer functional. This car was purchased in 2017, Holiday automotive in Fondulac, Wi with this condition apparent. The mechanic who changed my oil reported it to me in the spring of 2018. And as of this spring the car is undrivable as it is broken. If this were to break while someone were driving it, an accident would happen.
While driving about 40mph the car violently changed lanes with no warning. Luckily no cars were near and i was able to bring the car back under control. I have experienced loose steering before but never to this extreme. I am scared to drive car fearing for safety of myself and passengers. I have read up about these cars and all the problems they have of which I have experienced quite a few myself. I was told the car needed extensive repair to the front end and that there was extensive corrosion to many parts on the under carriage.
The vehicle has a problem that it will stall out after filling up with gas. The timing of the stall out is such that within a minute or two of leaving the gas station and pulling into traffic, the vehicle will buck and the motor will shut off. when this happens, the vehicle also loses power steering and brakes. This creates an INCREDIBLY dangerous situation as the driver essentially has no control any longer. It is a consistent, repeatable problem that occurs every time the vehicle is filled with gas.
Jeep Compass stalls after refueling in motion on highway, steering locks up when car stalls and makes Jeep uncontrollable. Had Jeep towed to dealer and they found a bad charcoal canister was "full of fuel" replaced canister drove for one week and refueled managed to go 1 mile and Jeep stalled again at about 45 MPH . Got Jeep stopped and restarted managed to get the last 1/2 mile home and it stalled again pulling in drive way and almost ran thru the front of my house before stopping. Extremely unsafe car returning back to the dealer service dept for the 3rd time . After reading online I have found this to be a common issue on the Jeep Compass some resulting in accidents from loss of control. I am finding the rollover valve is bad allowing fuel to be pushed back thru the EVAP system causing the stall
Update to complaint. Jeep dealer just called and they are replacing the fuel tank and charcoal canister was told this was a common issue and they had seen it before . The rollover valve in the fuel tank was bad and sticking open allowing fuel to dump into the EVAP system filling the charcoal canister with gas causing the stall . This is a major safety issue since a faulty valve wont shut off in the event of a crash causing a fire and can also cause a accident from stalling in traffic while in motion and the steering locking up. I have been in the auto repair business for 30 years at a dealership and seen a lot of issues but NHTSA really need to address this problem before someone is killed if they have not already. Jeep Compass stalls after refueling in motion on highway, steering locks up when car stalls and makes Jeep uncontrollable. …
The vehicle with approx 120000 miles on it in 11/2015 had the passenger side and drivers side ball joints replaced. In 4/2016 the passenger side ball joint failed and pulled out of the steering knuckle as I backed out of my driveway, I had it replaced. Two weeks later the driver side ball joint pulled out as I made a right hand turn into a walmart parking lot. The failure caused my strut to be bent, the inner and outer tie rods to be twisted around the half shaft drive axle, and the drive axle to be pulled out of the transmission. My lower control arm needed to be replaced as well. Luckily most of the damage was covered under my insurance. If it had happened on the highway I'd have needed a casket and an undertaker as well! …
While coming to a stop, at a light in heavy rush hour traffic, upon applying the brakes felt sharp jerk in steering with a loud snap noise. Not knowing what it was when light changed and I proceeded forward aprox. 2-3ft when car came to a sudden stop jerking to the left. Immeadiately placed car in park and looked out driver side window to see front left wheel angled back aprox 35 degrees and jamed into fender well. Called tow company and police arrived to direct and divert traffic, no police report made by police because no injuries or other vehicles involved. Tow truck driver & police both stated I was fortunate, because had I been going down the road when it happend it could been very serious and/or fatal to not only me but others as well. …
Problems after fueling: after filling my vehicle up, without fail, the engine stalls, shuts off, violently jerks and/or decreases speed and then returns to regular driving conditions. I have changed the gas cap, gas stations and octane levels, as well as the amount of gas consumed, all without any resolve. Although I never tip off the gas tank, I will fill the gas tank and I experience erratic behavior without fail. It does not matter if I sit at the gas pump or drive away immediately, the vehicle will enter a distressing routine of jolting, and turning off. This has become a safety issue at times, the unpredictable behavior has happened in traffic while crossing busy intersections, driving down the highway as well as leaving the pump. If the vehicle is not in motion it will shut off completely. …
While driving, I started hearing some bumping underneath my Compass and a day later it knock and driving rough. I made it to work and immediately call tow. A day after the tow, I received a call from the repair shop and was told that my sub frame had rusted through and broke. I only had the vehicle for two tears and a few months, and still paying for it. I contacted Jeep corp. And was told the was nothing they could do for me. My fidelity warranty states what they cover, but when I contacted them they told me that after five years they deems the bad tie rods as wear & tear. I was never told that when I purchased the service contract. If my prayers aren't heard, then I must pay $2700 out of my pocket.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Jeep Compass. While driving 50 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle was pulling to the left. He proceeded to maneuver the vehicle back to the right, but was unsuccessful. He lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle head-on. There were no failures prior to this incident. The contact was injured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was inspected by an insurance adjuster, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The adjuster speculated that the steering system May have contributed to the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 24,000.
Steering complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2007 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the steering of the 2007 Jeep Compass, 15% of the model year's 435 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Jeep Compass steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2007 Jeep Compass, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Jeep Compass steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.