JEEP COMPASS 4X4 · model year

2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4

68 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008JEEPCOMPASS 4X4 carries 68 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 7 fires, 0 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 2008 COMPASS 4X4 is suspension with 20 filings, followed by steering (11) and structure:body (6). 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.

NHTSA currently has 29 investigation files overlapping the 2008 COMPASS 4X4, and 3 remain open. 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.

68
Complaints
0
Crashes
7
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

68 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION20
STEERING11
STRUCTURE:BODY6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
POWER TRAIN4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
WHEELS2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1

Recent Complaints

20180828STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERE NOISE AND FRAME RUSTED OUT!

Mileage: 70,000

20180828SUSPENSION

SEVERE NOISE AND FRAME RUSTED OUT!

Mileage: 70,000

20180828UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SEVERE NOISE AND FRAME RUSTED OUT!

Mileage: 70,000

20180729STRUCTURE:BODY

THE REAR END WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. TOOK IT INTO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS CLOSE TO BREAKING. HE HAD TO SECURE THE REAR END TO THE FRAME WITH RATCHET STRAPS TO ALLOW ME TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC WHO COULD FIX IT. ONLY ONE BOLT SECURED THE REAR END TO THE FRAME IT WAS SO DAMAGED. HAD IT BROKEN OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF NOT KILLED.

Mileage: 138,000

20180713FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WITHIN 2 MINUTES AFTER PUMPING GAS CAR STALLS AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND CAR SHUTS OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SITUATION AFTER PUMPING WHETHER STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR A HIGHWAY, TURNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.

Mileage: 122,000

20180531FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED/TOPPED OFF THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR STEERING LOCKS UP AND IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. IT HAPPENS UNTIL THE GAS TANK IS LESS THAN FULL.

Mileage: 135,000

20180416STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20180323FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS TANK WANT TAKE GAS WHEN FILLING TANK KEEP SHUTTING OFF, I WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS A VALVE IN THE TANK.

Mileage: 110,000

20180322STEERING

FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT.

Mileage: 124,400

20171205SUSPENSION

RECEIVED THE FEBRUARY 15, 2017 LETTER ABOUT THE WARRANTY EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS/ UNLIMITED MILES ON THE FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBERS. AT THE TIME OF THE LETTER THE CONDITION MENTIONED HAD NOT BEEN EXPERIENCED. THE CONDITION DID PRESENT ITSELF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR WERE RECOMMENDED BE REPLACED HOWEVER WAS INFORMED THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS FROM THE BUILD DATE WHICH WAS IN OCTOBER 2007 THEREFOR MISSING THE WARRANTY PERIOD BY A MONTH. IF THE LETTER STATED THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE AN INSPECTION COULD HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED BEFORE IT EXPIRED.

Mileage: 105,000

20171003FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EVERY TIME I FILL MY CAR WITH GAS I EXPECT THE CAR TO STALL AND TURN OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WHICH JEEP NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR AND REFUSES TO. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE PEOPLE DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHOSE ENGINES CAN SHUT OFF AT ANY MOMENT CAUSING THEM TO COME TO A COMPLETE STANDSTILL EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM IS THE VAPOR/LIQUID SEPARATOR VALVE LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VALVE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT LIQUID FUEL FROM ENTERING THE CHARCOAL CANISTER/EMISSIONS SYSTEM. WHEN THE VALVE FAILS, LIQUID GAS CAN ENTER THE LINE AND FILL THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. AFTER REFUELING THE PCM ON THE VEHICLE DETECTS A CHANGE IN FUEL LEVEL. THEN, WHEN THE ENGINE MEETS CERTAIN TEMPERATURE AND DRIVING CRITERIA, THE PCM ISSUES A PURGE COMMAND TO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER TO REMOVE THE STORED GAS VAPORS. IT'S AT THAT POINT THAT ALL THE LIQUID GAS IN THE LINE GETS SUCKED INTO THE CHARCO

20170823FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE GAS TANK WILL NOT TAKE GAS. I HAD THE CATALYT. COVERTER FIXED. THE VALVE INSIDE THE GAS TANK DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND MY RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH JEEP COMPASSES.

20170823SUSPENSION

THE GAS TANK WILL NOT TAKE GAS. I HAD THE CATALYT. COVERTER FIXED. THE VALVE INSIDE THE GAS TANK DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND MY RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH JEEP COMPASSES.

20170224SUSPENSION

THE REAR CROSSMEMBER/KFRAME IS COMPLETLY ROTTED THRU. ALMOST ALL OF THE SUSPENSION PARTS ARE VERY RUSTY AND NEEDS REPLACED. I DID NOT FIND OUT IT WAS THIS BAD UNTIL I HEARD A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VECHICLE. DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND MAJOR PROBLEM.I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE THUMPING BEGAN. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAMILY CARS AND I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE. I AM PARKING IT UNTIL I CAN GET IT FIXED. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY BLEW ME OFF. THEY SAID THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY COVERS 2007 MODELS BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM UP TO 2009.

Mileage: 124,500

20161205SUSPENSION

I WAS PUTTING A SET OF REAR BRAKE PADS ON THE VECHICLE WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE REAR CROSSMEMBER IS ROTTED OUT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VECHICLE. CHRYSLER HAS TO PROMISED TO FIX THE 2007 MODELS, WHEN THE 2007, 2008, AND 2009 ALL SUFFER FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE TO PAY$1500.00 OUT OF MY POCKET FOR AN 8 YEAR OLD VECHICLE THAT SHOULD NOT BE THIS RUSTED OUT.

Mileage: 120,000

20160829STEERING

THE CROSSMEMBER (SUBFRAME) IS ROTTING AWAY AND WHEN THIS PART FAILS A SERIOUS CRASH MAY RESULT. JEEP ISSUED A BULLETIN (23-012-14) FOR 2007 COMPASS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION TO WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS AND IF FOUND TO REPAIR WITHOUT COST TO OWNER. JUST CALL JEEP ABOUT MY 2008 COMPASS AND THEY TOLD ME SINCE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPERIED I WOULD BE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST. FIRST OFF, THE CROSSMEMBER SHOULD NOT ROT AWAY AFTER ONLKY 8 YRS, SECOND SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE 2007 HAD A PROBLEM , MY 2008 SHOULD BE INCLUDED. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SINCE THE FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD RESULT IN LACK OF CONTROL AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL JEEPS TO INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY PARTS SHOWING SEVERE RUST AND ROTTING.

Mileage: 85,000

20160829SUSPENSION

THE CROSSMEMBER (SUBFRAME) IS ROTTING AWAY AND WHEN THIS PART FAILS A SERIOUS CRASH MAY RESULT. JEEP ISSUED A BULLETIN (23-012-14) FOR 2007 COMPASS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION TO WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS AND IF FOUND TO REPAIR WITHOUT COST TO OWNER. JUST CALL JEEP ABOUT MY 2008 COMPASS AND THEY TOLD ME SINCE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPERIED I WOULD BE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST. FIRST OFF, THE CROSSMEMBER SHOULD NOT ROT AWAY AFTER ONLKY 8 YRS, SECOND SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE 2007 HAD A PROBLEM , MY 2008 SHOULD BE INCLUDED. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SINCE THE FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD RESULT IN LACK OF CONTROL AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL JEEPS TO INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY PARTS SHOWING SEVERE RUST AND ROTTING.

Mileage: 85,000

20160829WHEELS

THE CROSSMEMBER (SUBFRAME) IS ROTTING AWAY AND WHEN THIS PART FAILS A SERIOUS CRASH MAY RESULT. JEEP ISSUED A BULLETIN (23-012-14) FOR 2007 COMPASS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION TO WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS AND IF FOUND TO REPAIR WITHOUT COST TO OWNER. JUST CALL JEEP ABOUT MY 2008 COMPASS AND THEY TOLD ME SINCE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPERIED I WOULD BE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COST. FIRST OFF, THE CROSSMEMBER SHOULD NOT ROT AWAY AFTER ONLKY 8 YRS, SECOND SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE 2007 HAD A PROBLEM , MY 2008 SHOULD BE INCLUDED. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SINCE THE FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD RESULT IN LACK OF CONTROL AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL JEEPS TO INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY PARTS SHOWING SEVERE RUST AND ROTTING.

Mileage: 85,000

20160822POWER TRAIN

WHILE ME AND FIANCE DRIVE DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65-70MPH ON A HOT DAY, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE LIGHT TURNS ON AND WE LOSE ALMOST ALL POWER AND CANT GET IT TO GO. WE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANS COOLER, TRANS LINES,AND TRANS FLUID. BUT THE ISSUE IS STILL HAPPENING. IT IS ALMOST GETTING TO THE POINT OF WHETHER WE SHOULD EVEN TRY TO GET IT FIXED OR WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO FIX IT. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WE HAD ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS.

Mileage: 150,000

20160630SUSPENSION

I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW IN 2007 WITH 98 MILES ON IT. IN 2011, WITH NEARLY 40,000 MILES, BOTH MY FRONT CONTROL ARMS NEEDED REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE NEEDED THEM (ALONG WITH THE TIRES) REPLACED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. GRANTED, I NOW HAVE OVER 140K MILES ON MY CAR, BUT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS. I'VE HAD AT LEAST 3 MECHANICS TELL ME THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS MADE ON OTHER COMPASS VEHICLES AND TO "HOLD ON TO MY RECEIPTS" IF THERE IS A RECALL.

Mileage: 140,000

Compare 2008JEEPCOMPASS 4X4 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 3 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4 have?
The 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4 has 68 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 7 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4?
The most-complained component for the 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4 is SUSPENSION with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4 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.