NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Jeep Compass Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2011 Jeep Compass has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 188 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Jeep dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Jeep Compass, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2011 Jeep Compass owner complaints

Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Compass, describing incidents dated May 31, 2011 to September 25, 2026.

Most-cited components

Engine 40 complaints
Power Train 37 complaints
Suspension 27 complaints
Unknown or Other 27 complaints
Structure 23 complaints
Electrical System 20 complaints

Of the 188 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 188 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11769710 · Filed October 7, 2026
The crossmebers front and rear were rusted to where the back broke and made the car unsafe and unable to drive
ODI #11716492 · Filed February 7, 2026
[XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] 2/7/26 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern regarding ongoing, critical safety issues with my vehicle, which have been increasingly dangerous while driving. These issues appear to be interconnected and involve multiple components, including…
ODI #11682843 · Filed August 25, 2025
The vehicle pulls when I’m driving it and the transmission over heats if I go over 80 and turns off.

Read all 188 complaints

Owner-reported

2011 Jeep Compass mileage at failure

126 of the 188 complaints on file for the 2011 Jeep Compass give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 65,000 miles	Middle half 16,000–95,000 miles	Based on 34 complaints
Power Train	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 10,000–105,000 miles	Based on 30 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Jeep Compass in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021
Preliminary Evaluation PE19-014: Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Closed February 25, 2026

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

NHTSA #16V668000 · Seat Belts — Pretensioner · NHTSA notice

Reported September 15, 2016 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 1,435,625 vehicles

Repair completion: 41.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign S61 · Owners notified August 15, 2017 · Vehicles built February 14, 2009 – August 13, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Safety consequence

If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Delayed Deployment or Non-Deployment of Airbags

NHTSA #13V233000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported June 4, 2013 · Chrysler Group LLC

Potentially affected: 254,396 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign N01 · Owners notified June 21, 2013 · Vehicles built May 6, 2008 – July 20, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

STEERING COLUMN

NHTSA #11V315000 · Steering — Column · NHTSA notice

Reported June 8, 2011 · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Potentially affected: 11,096 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign L23 · Owners notified July 4, 2011 · Vehicles built April 18, 2011 – May 2, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Safety consequence

A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CHRYSLER'S SAFETY RECALL NO. L23.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2011 Jeep Compass SUV 4WD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

16% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

2011 Jeep Compass SUV FWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

19% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

188 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Jeep Compass.

Suspension

ODI #11769710

Incident: September 25, 2026 · Filed: October 7, 2026

The crossmebers front and rear were rusted to where the back broke and made the car unsafe and unable to drive

Power Train; Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11716492

Incident: February 7, 2026 · Filed: February 7, 2026

[XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] 2/7/26 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern regarding ongoing, critical safety issues with my vehicle, which have been increasingly dangerous while driving. These issues appear to be interconnected and involve multiple components, including the valve body, transmission, TCM, ABS module, ECM, and throttle body. These problems have posed significant risks to my safety and the safety of others on the road. On several occasions, while driving at highway speeds (approximately 70 mph), the traction control and ABS warning lights have illuminated, and the vehicle has suddenly lost acceleration. This malfunction seems to cause the car to change gears unexpectedly or, in some instances, stop accelerating altogether. As a result, I have been forced to pull over to the side of the road in order to perform a YouTube-suggested reset just to get my vehicle back in motion. This situation has nearly led to accidents, as I have found myself stranded in traffic, unable to accelerate, or worse, pulling into traffic where the car fails to accelerate, almost causing collisions with other vehicles. Additionally, during colder weather, I have experienced issues with the throttle, where it becomes erratic and unresponsive. Despite having multiple repairs made, the problem persists, and I have observed that the throttle may either rev unexpectedly or fail to shift at all. While I understand that some repairs have been made, I am deeply concerned that the vehicle's ongoing malfunctions are indicative of serious safety hazards, which should be addressed by a professional dealership, at no cost rather than being dismissed with the assertion that "it won’t hurt anything." Given the potential for life-threatening incidents and the fact that I have already had several close calls, I strongly urge that these issues be diagnosed and rectified by a certified dealership or technician. , ran out of spac INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Seats

ODI #11682843

Incident: July 8, 2025 · Filed: August 25, 2025

The vehicle pulls when I’m driving it and the transmission over heats if I go over 80 and turns off.

Structure

ODI #11679034

Incident: August 7, 2022 · Filed: August 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and was difficult the steer. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the front subframe had failed due to severe corrosion, causing damage to the engine bay, and causing the engine and transmission to lower. The subframe and front lower control arms were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Recently, while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 98,500.

Electrical System

ODI #11657619

Incident: April 29, 2025 · Filed: April 29, 2025

The vehicle shuts off while driving at any speed. Steering locks and will not allow driver to pull over to safety.

Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #11627421

Incident: November 26, 2024 · Filed: November 26, 2024

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline; Engine

ODI #11625149

Incident: November 13, 2024 · Filed: November 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH after refueling, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and worked as designed; however, the failure recurred while driving after refueling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Steering; Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11599548

Incident: July 2, 2024 · Filed: July 6, 2024

Rust thru/failure of the front cross member subframe. I noticed a clicking/rubing sound coming from the front of my 2011 Jeep Compass. Over several days it got worse. I took the car to the same dealership that I bought the car from new and was told it was a rust thru on the subframe and that the car was not safe to drive. At this point there were NO warning lights or other indication that the front end was approaching a catastrophic failure. I contacted Jeep and was told that a special 10 year extended warranty had expired in 2022. The dealer offered no help in covering the cost either. I was never informed about the extended warranty, or I would have had the car checked. The thing that really makes me mad is the rust thru occurred on only one side because the A/C drain was routed so it dripped condensation onto the frame on that side. I have the subframe and have included pictures.

Unknown or Other; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11593776

Incident: June 11, 2024 · Filed: June 11, 2024

CUANDO ESTOY CON EL VEHICULO EN MARCHA SUBEN LAS REVOLUCIONES DEL VEHICULO ESTE DIMINUYE LA VELOCIDAD CORRIENDO, LO CUAL PODRIA OCACIONAR UN ACCIDENTE

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11570274

Incident: February 2, 2024 · Filed: February 6, 2024

The rear subframe and suspension are rusted. I have been hearing a rattling sound for the past couple of weeks, especially when driving over bumps. When I took the car to my mechanic, he detected a cracking in the rear subframe/suspension due to the rust. If this would totally break it would be a substantial safety risk to myself, the driver, as well as other drivers on the road. No warning lights or messages appeared on the car to warn of this problem.

Other Jeep Compass model years

Check your 2011 Jeep Compass VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Jeep Compass at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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