Most common 2011 Jeep Compass problems
Share of the 188 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Compass complaints by model year
Best Compass years: 2013, 2015, 2021. Years to avoid: 2018, 2022, 2019, 2014, 2016. Compare all years →
2011 Jeep Compass recalls (3)
Air bags
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017.
Electrical system › Software
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.
Steering › Column
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, Jeep wrangler, Chrysler 200, Chrysler 200 convertible, Dodge avenger, Dodge nitro, Jeep liberty, Dodge caliber, Jeep compass, Jeep patriot, Dodge grand caravan and Chrysler town & country vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on July 4, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2011 Jeep Compass:
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early…
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2011 Jeep Compass owners say
Engine & cooling all 40 →
The contact's son owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while his son was exiting the parking lot and driving approximately 15-25 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and the steering wheel locked-up. The contact did not know whether there were warning lights illuminated. The contact's son was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated his son was able to restart the vehicle and drove to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the roll over bent valve in the fuel tank was not closing properly leaking fuel into the EVAP system causing the vehicle to stall and lock the steering wheel. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, the vehicle went into limp mode and would not exceed 25 mph. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the brake switch, camshaft sensor, catalytic converter, and the crankshaft sensor needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer a month later where it was diagnosed with the throttle body and the brake switch needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,317.
Transmission & drivetrain all 37 →
speedometer doesn't work, ABS, Brakes, engine and traction light keeps on. THE SHIFT LEVER CHANGES BY ITSELF FROM D TO M while driving. ABS module has to be replaced at my cost when other 2011 jeep compass have a recall F 50 for the same issue.
In my 2011 Jeep Compass that I purchased from dave syverson' s in albert lea minnesota in 2015 has had numerous issues with the transmission starting in less than a year from the purchase date. The first time was when I was coming home, up my gradual hill, when my car stopped being able to drive more than 10 MPH and all of my gears were out up (p, n, d, r). It was "fixed" because my wiring to my transmission was completely corroded. Not once did the leaping of my car stop, the feeling of the car pushing through gears on it's in while in motion. In the winter months I took my car in to have the leaping looked at, the shop said there was nothing to fix. However this June I was driving north on highway 35 when an oil temperature gauge came on. …
Suspension all 27 →
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that an abnormal squeaking noise would emit from the brakes as the 4-wheel drive and tire pressure warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered severe corrosion was on the entire subframe, but mostly on the front end of the vehicle. The mechanic replaced the rear passenger's side rotor; he also informed her that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the corrosion. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the wheels aligned, she was informed that the work could not be performed due to severe subframe corrosion. The vehicle was then taken to a second independent mechanic who provided the same diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
2011 Jeep Compass engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 28 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 23 / 27 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD | 22 / 27 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD | 21 / 26 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Jeep Compass a good car?
Based on 188 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Compass rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Compass at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Jeep Compass?
The engine & cooling — 40 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (37) and suspension (27).
How many recalls does the 2011 Jeep Compass have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2011 Jeep Compass, the most recent from September 15, 2016 (air bags). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Compass?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2015 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2022, 2019, 2014 and 2016. See the full Jeep Compass years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Jeep Compass problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 36% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.