Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 4% | 29,000 miles |
| 2023 | 9 | 18% | — |
| 2022 | 13 | 6% | 12,000 miles |
| 2021 | 7 | 9% | 80,000 miles |
| 2020 | 8 | 6% | — |
| 2019 | 19 | 6% | 37,000 miles |
| 2018 | 28 | 3% | 19,000 miles |
| 2017 | 16 | 7% | 39,000 miles |
| 2016 | 16 | 5% | 55,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% | 8,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 3% | 61,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% | 34,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 3% | 105,000 miles |
| 2011 | 19 | 10% | 64,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% | 36,000 miles |
| 2008 | 26 | 15% | 68,000 miles |
| 2007 | 64 | 15% | 52,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On my way to work this morning 4:30 ish the same way I always take. My car decided to drive itself, every light on the middle console lit up, and the dashboard. I was going 50 when my car completely lost control while I tapped my brakes no response its locked, my steering wheel locked up, my brakes locked everything went haywire it would not let me steer or even shift to neutral all I could do was pray it stopped while it flipped off the road around 5:14 am with me still trapped inside. My seat belt wouldn't release my doors wouldn't unlock and my windows wouldn't roll down I was trapped breathing in airbag fumes for an hour until help finally came. They had to cut the windshield open to save me. I have no idea what went wrong but I could've died or have been burned to death my car acted like it went under water and not over it. …
The steering has a very sharp plastic that can make cut to the hands while driving and cause an accident. It looks like the finish of the plastic was not done correctly so when you touch those two molding it feels sharp. Maybe the pictures does not show but definitely needs to be checked with someone put their hands on the wheel on the side steering wheel
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while stopping at a drive-thru window, the steering wheel began spinning to the left and then to the right independently. The vehicle then suddenly turned right and hit a nearby curb which then made the vehicle turn to the left hitting another curb. The vehicle continued to turn to the left and right, hitting nearby curbs for approximately 4-5 minutes before settling in nearby mulch about 15 feet from the driver through the window, causing the vehicle to stop. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was towed. A police report was not been filed. All the wheels attached to the vehicle, excluding the front-driver side wheel, had blown. There was no damage to any surrounding properties. The contact received injuries to their chest however no medical attention was needed. …
The contact owns a 2022 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the steering wheel, there was an abnormal vibration with a clicking sound coming from the steering column. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering column had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Envision CDJR West Covina (298 N Azusa Ave, West Covina, CA 91791) who diagnosed that the steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced. The steering rack was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack had failed again and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,963.
I bought the Jeep 2000 24 June 5th from Auto Lenders and Fairless hills vehicle had 34,632 miles on it took it back June 18th for inspection and that there was noise coming from the front end when you went over speed bump metal climbing I told him they said they found nothing took it back again July 10th with the same issues and everything they found nothing the miles on the car on July 10th in where 35,677 MI that was in going out $35,677 mi which they never moved the vehicle took it back again in September for the same issue so they found nothing I was going to take it back again on Christmas Eve I was taking donations to a church and I want to go straight the vehicle went right the ball joint snapped airbags came out and if there wasn't a pole to slide into I would have went into the store that was there they failed to find the issue that was wrong with the vehicle I could have been …
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle the engine was running, and the vehicle turned off independently. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The contact stated that occasionally, several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
My 2020 Jeep Compass develops significant shaking and vibration when I apply the brakes while traveling above approximately 70 mph. The vibration affects the vehicle's stability and makes me concerned about maintaining control and stopping safely at highway speeds. The vehicle was inspected and serviced by an authorized Jeep dealership after I reported the shaking. The dealership identified problems involving the inner tie rods and steering system. Before the repair, I specifically questioned whether the brake rotors could be contributing to the shaking. The dealership assured me that it was completely certain the problem had been corrected. The vehicle rides somewhat better following the repair, but the same high-speed braking vibration remains. The vehicle now has new tires, but the shaking continues. …
Within the first month of ownership I began hearing a noise from the right front of the vehicle consistent with a brake or suspension issue. I reported this to the selling dealer repeatedly during that first month; it was not resolved. The noise continued and worsened over the following year, eventually also affecting the right rear. At approximately 20,000 miles, an independent licensed inspection mechanic found that the right front inner tie rod required replacement due to significant wear, and the right rear wheel bearing also required replacement. The vehicle failed state safety inspection as a result of these findings. The mechanic noted the repair scope required disassembly of the steering column, indicating a defect beyond routine wear for the vehicle's age/mileage. …
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured January 1, 2015, to May 11, 2015. During assembly, the power steering hose retention clamp may have been installed at an incorrect location, resulting in the detachment of the low pressure return hose.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the return power steering hose clamp, repositioning the clamp as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2016.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Compass years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (64), 2018 (28), 2008 (26), 2011 (19) and 2019 (19) model years. Steering complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Jeep Compass steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 15V-878 (hose, piping, and connections, Dec 23, 2015); 11V-315 (column, Jun 8, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Jeep Compass steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (12 mentions), followed by the linkages › knuckle › spindle › arm (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.