Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% | 73,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2018 | 10 | 1% | 19,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% | 108,000 miles |
| 2016 | 12 | 4% | 53,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% | 104,000 miles |
| 2014 | 53 | 17% | 41,000 miles |
| 2013 | 9 | 11% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 22 | 12% | 67,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 14% | 120,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2007 | 10 | 2% | 56,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with the message "Air Bags Wiring Fault" displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger's side seat belt latch was defective and failed to latch properly. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,972.
The seat belts on both sides of the rear seats have frayed completely through the belt webbing at the same exact point. Where the belts connects to the retractor I believe is the name of it. Both belts are entirely separated at the point where they pass through the outer wall. If my inspection station didn't notice the problem on the passenger rear they would not have looked at the driver's side rear which was not completely separated and any occupant could have seriously been hurt. The Dealership inspected them and confirmed the damages described above and the manufacturer (Jeep) also was notified of this defect. They were no warning signs.
The webbing on my passenger side seat belt is inexplicably worn and ripped. It looks as if it became worn over time by the seat belt latch vibrating against it. The webbing fabric may have been irregular too. It is very strange, I will attach photos. I don't know when or how the damage occurred because I rarely have passengers in my vehicle. It was discovered yesterday when I did have a rider. The damage is too high up on the belt to have been chewed by the dog. The dog has never been left unattended in the car, is too small to have reached the belt, and is secured in the back seat with a harness and locking tether while traveling. One dealer, C.H. Urness Motors in The Dalles, OR, wanted to charge me over $300 for repair and make me wait 3 months for the part despite my car being under warranty. They offered to expediate the process to five days for an additional fee. …
The gear selection lights near the gear shift go on and off for no apparent reason. I can not see which gear I am in at night. I am afraid that this is indicative of a more serious electrical problem. I am still under warranty because I purchased Added Care Plus from directly from Jeep that covers me through the end of December 2024. I took the vehicle to Jeep Dealer CH Urness Motors in The Dalles, Oregon. The owner and service manager told me that my car "Is not broken enough" for them to repair. The owner, Tim Urness, stated that they only repair items with warning lights and that they do not honor the Added Care Plus warranties sold by Jeep dealers unless they've sold it. Additionally, my auto stop start battery is malfunctioning, and the engine is making a strange noise. …
When starting the vehicle the error message comes on with the man holding the air bag and it comes on bigger in the dashboard too. And feels like the car runs hotter with this message on. If someone is riding in the passenger side and I get into an accident. It could be deadly for that person. So the area is on the passenger side. Yes spoke to the dealer at Flow Volvo in Greensboro NC, and she know about the problem of the car also. I do see in 2017 there was a patrolman that noted the kbb about the situation. Now I was no there so I do know abything about it,just read this on the kbb information for the car. And as I have stated when you start the car the the warning lamp with the man comes on small holding the air bag and in the dashboard also. Also uploading pictures of the warning lamps.
Since 2023, my vehicle has had water leakage coming from the back right passenger side from the seat belt opening and right side of the back trunk. This is a major concern because my son's car seat is seated on the right back seat where the water leakage is coming from. I don't want any mold to grow under his car seat or on his car seat. Also I gave jumper cables in the back of my trunk for safety. What if they were to get soak and wet then they are not able to work. Also I put my groceries in the trunk of my car. I don't want them to get spoiled or become contaminated.
Seat belt will randomly disengage and not remain clicked into the lock on the both front seats but is more common with the drivers side. Will need to click it in and out of the lock until it finally re-engages the lock.
I was involved in an accident on February 28, 2019 when I veered off into a ditch, my vehicle flew into the air after hitting a driveway, and flipped at about 55 MPH. I was driving on a rural farm to market road. I was driving and the only one in the vehicle. My seatbelt never locked as I wrecked. It was buckled but never engaged. I submitted to Jeep for review and they denied my claim and said the seatbelt was working properly. My seatbelt was all the way stretched out and even frayed at the top where the loop is. My l1 instantly blew up into my spinal cord and I suffered severe injuries.
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Compass years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (53), 2012 (22), 2016 (12), 2010 (11) and 2007 (10) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Jeep Compass seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts recall for any Jeep Compass model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Jeep Compass seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 53% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear/other (1 mentions), followed by the front › buckle assembly (1).
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.