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2009 Jeep Compass

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Jeep Compass are lower than the model-year median of 126.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Suspension complaints

15 reports
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151,000 miles · Feb 1, 2024
Suspension

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact initially became aware that the rear passenger’s side tire was resting at an angle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the rear struts replaced; however, the mechanic informed the contact that the rear suspension was extremely corroded. The contact wa…

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The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact initially became aware that the rear passenger’s side tire was resting at an angle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the rear struts replaced; however, the mechanic informed the contact that the rear suspension was extremely corroded. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not safe to be driven. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA ODI #11569230

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2023
Electrical SystemSuspension

front and rearsubframe extremely rusted, making it dangerous to drive. fuse box under front hood in front of driver side rusting out wiring. Not main fuse box but the one with relays.

NHTSA ODI #11525209

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2022
Suspension

I was informed about my rotting subframe on my 2009 Jeep Compass about a year ago. I took it to a Jeep dealer for a second opinion as well as contacted Jeep. I was told about some extended warranty that I was not eligible for. Now, 1 year later, my vehicle will not pass inspection without replacement of the subframe. I conta…

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I was informed about my rotting subframe on my 2009 Jeep Compass about a year ago. I took it to a Jeep dealer for a second opinion as well as contacted Jeep. I was told about some extended warranty that I was not eligible for. Now, 1 year later, my vehicle will not pass inspection without replacement of the subframe. I contacted Jeep again. Of course, since this was extension of warranty, only the original owners were notified. This should have been a recall. This is a safety hazzard and should not have happened to vehicle just over 10 years. Jeep purposely did not issue a recall to save money.

NHTSA ODI #11481775

174,000 miles · Mar 18, 2020
Suspension

FRONT KFRAME/SUBFRAME CROSS MEMBER RUSTED INTO. FRONT OF LF LOWER CONTROL ARM PULLED OUT OF SUBRAME BECAUSE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED INTO AT THAT SPOT. ALSO BACK SEEM FROM LEFT SIDE ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT SIDE HAS ABOUT A 1 INCH SEAM/TEAR FROM RUST

NHTSA ODI #11318638

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2018
Suspension

MY SON CAME FROM GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD HIS JEEP COMPASS IS DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD. FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. SUBFRAME SHOULD NOT BE BAD ON A 2009 VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11121140

98,000 miles · Nov 9, 2017
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE, I JUST FOUND OUT THAT BOTH ARE NEED OF REPLACEMENT AGAIN AND IT THE COST IS OUT OF THIS WORLD. JEEP NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS. I UNDERSTAND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11044860

46,700 miles · Apr 25, 2017
Suspension

PREMATURE FAILURE (46700 MILES) OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOUND DURING ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. REPLACED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS.

NHTSA ODI #10980399

109,000 miles · Apr 17, 2017
SuspensionCrash

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK DEC 23 MORNING AND REAR SUB FRAME BROKE AWAY FROM CONTROL ARM SENDING ME IN THE DITCH..LUCKY IT WAS 25 MPH. HAD LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER LOOK AT IT AND BECAUSE IT WAS.MADE IT CANADA THEY WON'T FIX IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRNTY.. I JUST GOT THIS IN JUNE, AND STILL OWE 6500 ON IT.. CHRYSLER NEEDED TO STEP UP.. …

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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK DEC 23 MORNING AND REAR SUB FRAME BROKE AWAY FROM CONTROL ARM SENDING ME IN THE DITCH..LUCKY IT WAS 25 MPH. HAD LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER LOOK AT IT AND BECAUSE IT WAS.MADE IT CANADA THEY WON'T FIX IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRNTY.. I JUST GOT THIS IN JUNE, AND STILL OWE 6500 ON IT.. CHRYSLER NEEDED TO STEP UP.. WHAT DOES IT MATTER WERE THE JEEP WAS MADE.YOUR PARTS WERE THE PROBLEM SO FIX IT..I COULD HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF FRAME ROT.. NEVER HAD A ISSUE IN MY 95 BLAZER!!

NHTSA ODI #10978968

70,000 miles · Nov 14, 2016
Suspension

SUBFRAME ROT. AT 70,000 MILE STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST DUE TO A CRACK IN THE FRONT SUBFRAME CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE RUST/ROT. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES SINCE THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED. THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE WITH A 12 INCH LATERAL CRACK THROUGH THE CROSS MEMBER. THIS CAUSED TOTAL FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERI…

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SUBFRAME ROT. AT 70,000 MILE STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST DUE TO A CRACK IN THE FRONT SUBFRAME CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE RUST/ROT. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES SINCE THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED. THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE WITH A 12 INCH LATERAL CRACK THROUGH THE CROSS MEMBER. THIS CAUSED TOTAL FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING FAILURE. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN OR MOVED UNDER ITS OWN POWER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT AND DODGE CALIBER. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT OR KILLED!

NHTSA ODI #10925933

135,000 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE MOTOR WAS CORRODED AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TO THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE MOTOR WAS CORRODED AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #10790197

Official recalls

1

08V528000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Oct 9, 2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.