JEEP COMPASS · model year

2013 JEEP COMPASS

121 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

3 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013JEEPCOMPASS carries 121 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 8 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 3/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 COMPASS is power train with 27 filings, followed by air bags (16) and electrical system (13). 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 2013 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.

121
Complaints
12
Crashes
8
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
2013 JEEP COMPASS — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2013 JEEP COMPASS. Overall composite: 3.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 3.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 3.0 ★
  • Side Crash 4.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 3.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

121 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 3/5 — Average NCAP rating · Front: 3/5 · Side: 4/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN27
AIR BAGS16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
ENGINE10
SEAT BELTS9
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SEATS4
STRUCTURE:BODY3
SUSPENSION3
STEERING3
SERVICE BRAKES2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1

Recalls (1)

16V66800015/09/2016

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

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 pret

Recent Complaints

20250409ENGINE

Catalytic converter problem Warning engine light keeps coming on. This has happened over several years. It now comes on everyday. It is now in shop to be fixed and code shows front converter is bad which includes the manifold.

20241014UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Attached is a work order request for a defective door handle on my Jeep Compass. The driver side door handle we have determined is wrapped in metal and is delaminating. It has caused a hand injury to my daughter due to the wrapping on the door handle coming apart and being extremely sharp. We have taken the car to our local dealer for inspection and they have verified that this is not normal and we believe the part is defective. Additionally, the passenger side handle is starting to do the same. This is a dangerous defective part and attempts to correspond with Jeep/Stellantis have been completely ignored.

20240129SEATS

Passenger seat headrest ejected itself. Outside of the car was getting a handwash and suddenly the headrest just shot open. Now nobody is able to sit in passenger seat safely. Unsure how this could happen as car was operating just fine prior.

20230714CrashPOWER TRAIN

This vehicle before had the cvt transmission replaced as it was over heating/inoperable. Complete replacement. Flash forward not even a year I was driving and thr transmission made a noise and basically locked up causing the driver to hit curb at high rate of speed along the freeway. The vehicle again is disabled with a transmission defect and requires replacement. 2nd transmission failure and will need replacement and caused injury during collision with curb at high rate of speed without any indication lights of a mechanical issue prior to impact.

20221101POWER TRAIN

The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. June 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 aug 2022 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power.

20221101ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. June 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 aug 2022 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power.

20220605SEATS

While preparing to enter my car today (6/5/2022) I heard a fairly loud popping/exploding sound. I quickly backed away from the car then approached it again and realized the passenger headrest, though attached, had basically split in 2. Upon further inspection I couldn’t see why this had randomly happened as I didn’t have a passenger with me and hadn’t touched it. I tried to force it back together but couldn’t figure out how to get it to move so I left it as is. Later this evening I started searching online for how to fit it back together and it appears this happens frequently especially with jeeps and is a failure of a safety feature called active headrest. I went back out to look at it and saw exactly what I had seen other drivers mention, there’s 2 teeny tiny pieces of black plastic that apparently keep it from deploying and the right one had cracked. Just lucky that no one was sitting there at the time or that it wasn’t the driver headrest while driving - very unsafe, I

20220605UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While preparing to enter my car today (6/5/2022) I heard a fairly loud popping/exploding sound. I quickly backed away from the car then approached it again and realized the passenger headrest, though attached, had basically split in 2. Upon further inspection I couldn’t see why this had randomly happened as I didn’t have a passenger with me and hadn’t touched it. I tried to force it back together but couldn’t figure out how to get it to move so I left it as is. Later this evening I started searching online for how to fit it back together and it appears this happens frequently especially with jeeps and is a failure of a safety feature called active headrest. I went back out to look at it and saw exactly what I had seen other drivers mention, there’s 2 teeny tiny pieces of black plastic that apparently keep it from deploying and the right one had cracked. Just lucky that no one was sitting there at the time or that it wasn’t the driver headrest while driving - very unsafe, I

20220319POWER TRAIN

The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. Oct 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 Oct 2021 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power. 22 Nov 2021 they had me pay them $3000.00 and they ordered a transmission. 15 Mar 2022 the transmission arrived they install

20211214POWER TRAIN

Jeep first issues was at 89k, not shifting. Second issues was at100k transmission over heated. Dealer/ warranty had me changed the fluid and filter for transmission. Third issue, 130k transmission made a whining noise and stopped. Jeep was towed to the shop. After doing some research, turns out that the transmission on several these Jeep’s have same issue. The transmission should be on manufactured recall.

20210331ENGINE

PURCHASED 2013 JEEP COMPASS WITH 109,000 MILES. NOTICED IT BURNED OIL BAD. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, CHANGED OIL TO SYNTHETIC AS RECOMMEND AND FILTER. CONTINUED TO HAVE EXCESSIVE OIL BURN. 3 BOTTLES EVERY 2 WEEKS. WAS DRIVING IT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SOMETHING DIDNT FEEL RIGHT., SHE PULLED OVER AS OIL LIGHT CAME ON. NOW OIL WAS CHECKED AND WAS FULL PRIOR TO DRIVING 40 MINUTES, NOW OIL LIGHT ON, CHECKED OIL AND WAS LOW. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, HAD IT TOWED TO GARAGE AND ENGINE IS FRIED. AT 111,000 MILES, NEEDS A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. ENGINE IT IS IS A 2.4L . IF MY DAUGHTER DIDNT THINK QUICK TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND STOP, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT

Mileage: 111,000

20210110POWER TRAIN

I PURCHASED THIS JEEP A YEAR AGO VERY LOW MILEAGE. ABOUT 2 WEEKS INTO IT THE JEEP STARTED HEATING UP. LONG STORY SHORT THIS VEHICLE AT ITS 100K MILES NEEDED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT THAT COST ME OVER 3000.00 WITH SUCH LITTLE MILEAGE I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ERROR., IVE HEARD SEVERAL OF THESE JEEP COMPASSES NEEDING TRANSMISSIONS UNDER 100K MILES

Mileage: 102,000

20201228POWER TRAIN

DANGEROUSLY DROPPING INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT WARNING OR ABILITY TO OVERRIDE FOR SAFETY. EARLY FULL SYSTEM TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT NO OPTIONS FOR REPAIR. FINALLY DIED BY MAKING WHINING NOISE, GOING INTO LIMP MODE AND STAYING THERE. THE EXCESSIVE COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION MAKES IT NOT COST EFFECTIVE. ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE ALTOGETHER.

Mileage: 116,000

20201010STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAD MY JEEP IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE & IT WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A RUSTED SUBFRAME. IT WAS SUGGESTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I MADE THE APPOINTMENT. IT WAS EVALUATED & DETERMINED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME ISSUE WITH PREMATURELY RUSTING. I CONTACTED JEEP CUSTOMER CARE ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WILL NOT HELP. THE COST TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME IS OVER $1,300. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE & IF NOT REPAIRED WILL CONTINUE TO CORRODE & DIMINISH THE HANDLING OF MY JEEP AS WELL AS THE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT.

Mileage: 74,000

20200902ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE ALSO STARTED TO HEAR AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED ZAPPONE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM CLIFTON PARK LOCATED AT 1780 AL-9, CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065, (518) 383-2277, AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO HER RESIDENCE AND INFORMED HER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20200812POWER TRAIN

CVT TRANSMISSION OVER HEATING DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DANGEROUSLY DROPPING INTO LIMP MOLD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING OR ABILITY TO OVERRIDE FOR SAFETY. EARLY FULL SYSTEM TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT NO OPTIONS FOR REPAIR. FINALLY DIED BY MAKING WHINING NOISE, GOING INTO LIMP MODE AND STAYING THERE. THE EXCESSIVE COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOT COST EFFECTIVE. ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE ALTOGETHER.

Mileage: 1

20200801ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

FAULTY TIPM SHORTLY OUT SOME ELECTRICAL RELAYS. STATIONARY COOLING FANS DON'T SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN IGNITION KEY IS OFF. AC BLOWER FANS INTIMIDATE ON AND OFF. AT CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR 10 DAYS. ALL RELAYS CHANGED 'ALL SENSORS CHANGE. TIPM DIAGNOSIS SAYS SHORT IN TIPM. $1500.00 PART AFTER REPAIR OF RELAYS AND SENSORS. TOTAL $2500+. BILL. AWAITING NEW TIPM TO COME IN. CHRYSLER CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 80,000

20200801ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FAULTY TIPM SHORTLY OUT SOME ELECTRICAL RELAYS. STATIONARY COOLING FANS DON'T SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN IGNITION KEY IS OFF. AC BLOWER FANS INTIMIDATE ON AND OFF. AT CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR 10 DAYS. ALL RELAYS CHANGED 'ALL SENSORS CHANGE. TIPM DIAGNOSIS SAYS SHORT IN TIPM. $1500.00 PART AFTER REPAIR OF RELAYS AND SENSORS. TOTAL $2500+. BILL. AWAITING NEW TIPM TO COME IN. CHRYSLER CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 80,000

20200801UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FAULTY TIPM SHORTLY OUT SOME ELECTRICAL RELAYS. STATIONARY COOLING FANS DON'T SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN IGNITION KEY IS OFF. AC BLOWER FANS INTIMIDATE ON AND OFF. AT CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR 10 DAYS. ALL RELAYS CHANGED 'ALL SENSORS CHANGE. TIPM DIAGNOSIS SAYS SHORT IN TIPM. $1500.00 PART AFTER REPAIR OF RELAYS AND SENSORS. TOTAL $2500+. BILL. AWAITING NEW TIPM TO COME IN. CHRYSLER CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 80,000

20200720ENGINE

DRIVING MY CAR AND THE ENGINE REVVED, THE LIGHTNING BOLT LIGHT CAME ONE, AND THE LOST ABILITY TO MOVE AT MORE THAN 5MPH. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT WAS FINE. GOT IT HOME AND TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. DEALER ASSURED ME THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS AND COULD FIX IT. GOT IT BACK A FEW DAYS LATER AND IT WAS FINE. FAST FORWARD A FEW MONTHS, MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND DID THE SAME THING. SHE MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD, A 4 LANE MAJOR HIGHWAY, SAFELY AND CALL ME. CALLED THE DEALER AND HAD IT TOWED. WAS TOLD THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING OVER AND RESET THE COMPUTER IT SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO. AGAIN, CAR WAS FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THE WHOLE PROCESS STARTED OVER. AGAIN, THE THIRD TIME, HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY CALLED AND WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEIR ADVICE WAS THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED TO LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM STILL RUNNING SO THEY COULD SEE WHAT WAS

Compare 2013JEEPCOMPASS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 JEEP COMPASS have?
The 2013 JEEP COMPASS has 121 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 8 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 JEEP COMPASS?
The 2013 JEEP COMPASS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 3/5, front crash rating of 3/5, side crash rating of 4/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 JEEP COMPASS?
Yes, the 2013 JEEP COMPASS has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 JEEP COMPASS?
The most-complained component for the 2013 JEEP COMPASS is POWER TRAIN with 27 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2013 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. The 2013 JEEP COMPASS has an NHTSA safety rating of 3/5. 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.