JEEP COMPASS · model year

2009 JEEP COMPASS

60 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009JEEPCOMPASS carries 60 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 COMPASS is suspension with 13 filings, followed by structure:body (6) and unknown or other (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2009 COMPASS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

60
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

60 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION13
STRUCTURE:BODY6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
ENGINE5
AIR BAGS4
STEERING3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
POWER TRAIN2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM1
TIRES1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1

Recalls (1)

08V52800009/10/2008

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

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.

Recent Complaints

20240201SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 151,000

20231114UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Jeep extended the warranty for the front and rear body subframes. I had my vehicle inspected at the onset of the warranty. I again had an inspection done at my local dealer on 4/15/2022. Since that date the vehicle has been driven approximately 7000 miles. A week ago as I was making a turn at traffic speed I heard a thumping sound. On 11/12/2023 with the vehicle on jackstands it was confirmed that the rear subframe on the drivers side had completely broken and the subframe on the passenger side was rusted through as well. I called Jeep US on 11/14/2023 and it was stated that the warranty was no longer in effect with them. I believe the inspection was either not completed properly or the damage was already in process. This could have resulted in a horrific incident as there were no warning signs and thinking that the inspection had not shown any potential hazard.

20230603ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20230603SUSPENSION

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.

20221006ENGINE

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard with several warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would overheat with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was hot. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the electronic stability control module was defective. The contact replaced the battery; however, the failure immediately returned and the brake failure worsened. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20221006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard with several warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would overheat with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was hot. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the electronic stability control module was defective. The contact replaced the battery; however, the failure immediately returned and the brake failure worsened. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20221006ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard with several warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would overheat with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was hot. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the electronic stability control module was defective. The contact replaced the battery; however, the failure immediately returned and the brake failure worsened. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20220829SUSPENSION

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.

20200318SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 174,000

20200201VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT CHRYSLER VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE ENGINE CUT DOWN TO 30 MPH AND INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL AND "RED LIGHTNING BOLT" (ETC ELECTRONIC THROTTLEBODY CONTROL). WHAT IS HAPPENING IS YOUR COMPUTER HAS DETECTED SOMETHING WRONG AND HAS GONE INTO LIMP MODE WHICH IS ALLOWING THE VEHICLE ONLY ENOUGH POWER TO GET OFF THE ROAD (LIMP OFF THE ROAD). IT APPEARS DEALERS AND MECHANICS DON'T KNOW OR AREN'T TELLING. DON'T TELL THEM I HAVE THE SOLUTION, THEY ARE IN BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF YOU, DON'T GIVE THEM A HAND UP. THEY MAY WANT TO REPLACE YOUR THROTTLE BODY WHICH THEY CHARGE OVER $1,000 FOR AND IT DOESN'T FIX THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS CALIBRATION BETWEEN YOUR ACCELERATOR (GAS PEDDLE) POSITION SENSOR, COMPUTER AND ETC (THROTTLE) SENSOR. IT WILL COST YOU $0 AND 10 SECONDS TO SOLVE. GET IN, TURN THE KEY TO "ACCESSORY" POSITION JUST BEFORE TURNING THE ENGINE ON. LET ALL THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ON THE DASH RESET.

Mileage: 99,100

20191126STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY FERRARIO AUTO TEAM OF SAYRE (102 SPRING ST, SAYRE, PA 18840, (570) 888-2367) THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT CROSS MEMBER BAR WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE PART; HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20191018AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS MAINTAINED ITSELF ON APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS, AND EVERY 10-15 MINUTES IT SENDS ME AN ALARM, WARNING ME THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG, AND THAT THE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING ACCORDINGLY.THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS BEING IN USE AND IN MARCH.

Mileage: 133,800

20190815ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2009 JEEP COMPASS MANUAL TRANSMISSION ENGINE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND ALSO AT IDLING. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT USUALLY STARTS BACK UP AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT START, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIGHT UP, BATTERY IS GOOD, NOTHING WRONG WITH STARTER. SOMETIMES IT WILL START WITHIN MINUTES, OTHER TIMES IT STARTS AFTER A DAY OR TWO... RANDOM. BREAK PEDAL USUALLY VERY STIFF. HAVE HAS IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ONLY HAVE IT START AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE.

Mileage: 190,000

20190815ENGINE

2009 JEEP COMPASS MANUAL TRANSMISSION ENGINE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND ALSO AT IDLING. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT USUALLY STARTS BACK UP AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT START, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIGHT UP, BATTERY IS GOOD, NOTHING WRONG WITH STARTER. SOMETIMES IT WILL START WITHIN MINUTES, OTHER TIMES IT STARTS AFTER A DAY OR TWO... RANDOM. BREAK PEDAL USUALLY VERY STIFF. HAVE HAS IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ONLY HAVE IT START AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE.

Mileage: 190,000

20190815FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2009 JEEP COMPASS MANUAL TRANSMISSION ENGINE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND ALSO AT IDLING. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT USUALLY STARTS BACK UP AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT START, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIGHT UP, BATTERY IS GOOD, NOTHING WRONG WITH STARTER. SOMETIMES IT WILL START WITHIN MINUTES, OTHER TIMES IT STARTS AFTER A DAY OR TWO... RANDOM. BREAK PEDAL USUALLY VERY STIFF. HAVE HAS IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ONLY HAVE IT START AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE.

Mileage: 190,000

20190424AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL...AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THERES NOTHING/ NOBODY IN PASSENGER SEAT.

20181024STRUCTURE:BODY

FRONT SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT ON 2009 WITH ONLY 90,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF DRIVING AND BRAKES, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS SHOULD NOT BE THIS ROTTED FOR A CAR OF THIS AGE. I BROUGHT IT TO MECHANIC FOR LEAKING OIL, AND WHEN HE LIFTED IT HE SAW RUST. THE OIL PAIN IS NOW GETTING REPLACED FOR CORROSION.

Mileage: 90,700

20180820SUSPENSION

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.

20180812STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER IS RUSTED OUT TOTALLY. CANNOT BE DRIVEN VERY UNSAFE

20180606ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT FAILURE CODE: CU10001 FOR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WAS NOT RECEIVING CONNECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

Compare 2009JEEPCOMPASS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 JEEP COMPASS have?
The 2009 JEEP COMPASS has 60 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 JEEP COMPASS?
Yes, the 2009 JEEP COMPASS has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 JEEP COMPASS?
The most-complained component for the 2009 JEEP COMPASS is SUSPENSION with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2009 JEEP COMPASS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.