Most common 2013 Jeep Compass problems
Share of the 80 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 →
2013 Jeep Compass recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2013 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 2013 Jeep Compass owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 27 →
This vehicle before had the cvt transmission replaced as it was over heating/inoperable. Complete replacement. Flash forward not even a year I was driving and thr transmission made a noise and basically locked up causing the driver to hit curb at high rate of speed along the freeway. The vehicle again is disabled with a transmission defect and requires replacement. 2nd transmission failure and will need replacement and caused injury during collision with curb at high rate of speed without any indication lights of a mechanical issue prior to impact.
The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. Oct 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 Oct 2021 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power. …
Air bags
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Jeep Compass. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver saw flames in the rearview mirror. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and the driver saw flames underneath the hood. The driver attempted to open the hood, but was unable to do so. The fire department was called, but before they arrived, there was a loud explosion and the vehicle became momentarily engulfed in flames. The vehicle was totaled and the remnants were towed to a tow yard. A fire report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The dealer was contacted (california motors, santa ana, ca, [phone]) and stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that an investigator would be sent out, but no one showed up. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Jeep Compass. While driving approximately 10 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. During the crash, the front driver side air bag deployed and caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the flames. The contact sustained burns to the right arm that required medical attention. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000.
Electrical system
The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. June 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 aug 2022 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Jeep Compass. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver saw flames in the rearview mirror. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and the driver saw flames underneath the hood. The driver attempted to open the hood, but was unable to do so. The fire department was called, but before they arrived, there was a loud explosion and the vehicle became momentarily engulfed in flames. The vehicle was totaled and the remnants were towed to a tow yard. A fire report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The dealer was contacted (california motors, santa ana, ca, [phone]) and stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that an investigator would be sent out, but no one showed up. …
2013 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 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 22 / 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: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Jeep Compass a good car?
Based on 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Compass rates better than average: 49% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Compass at the same age. It is one of the best Compass years by this measure. 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 2013 Jeep Compass?
The transmission & drivetrain — 27 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (16) and electrical system (13).
How many recalls does the 2013 Jeep Compass have?
There is 1 recall for the 2013 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 2013 Jeep Compass problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 53,000 miles; 45% 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.