JEEP COMPASS FWD · model year

2008 JEEP COMPASS FWD

48 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008JEEPCOMPASS FWD carries 48 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 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 FWD is suspension with 13 filings, followed by steering (4) and steering:linkages:tie rod assembly (3). 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 29 investigation files overlapping the 2008 COMPASS FWD, 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.

48
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

48 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
SUSPENSION13
STEERING4
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
STRUCTURE2
INTERIOR LIGHTING2
WHEELS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
VISIBILITY1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
TIRES1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT1

Recalls (1)

10E04300003/09/2010

EQUIPMENT

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING S

Recent Complaints

20190410STRUCTURE:BODY

OUR 2008 JEEP COMPASS HAS A CLUNKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE FRONT WHEEL WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEEL. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THE SUBFRAME IS HEAVILY CORRODED AND IS RUSTING OUT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL AND WAS COVERED UNDER AN 'EXTENDED WARRANTY' BULLETIN THAT WE WERE NOT TOLD ABOUT AND NOW THAT HAS EXPIRED AND IT IS NOT COVERED ANYMORE. I WAS TOLD THE BULLETIN EXPIRED 9/2017 SO NOW 1 YEAR AND 7 MONTHS LATER MY VEHICLE WITH ONLY 112K MILES IS GOING TO NEED AN EXPENSIVE FIX OR BASICALLY BE JUNKED. THE 2007 VEHICLES HAD A RECALL AND EVEN THOUGH MINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2007 THERE IS NO RECOURSE AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 112,000

20190226UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I RECENTLY DISCOVERED WHEN BRINGING MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS TO A MECHANIC THAT MY ENTIRE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. THE SUBFRAME IS SO ROTTED OUT THAT HE SUGGESTED GETTING IT TOWED HOME BECAUSE THE WHEEL MIGHT COMPLETELY FALL OFF IF I HIT A POT HOLE HARD ENOUGH. THE BODY ON MY JEEP IS NEARLY FLAWLESS AND THE ENGINE ONLY HAS 70,000 ORIGINAL MILES. IS SEE ON OTHER SITES THERE IS A RECALL ON ALL THE COMPASS MODELS LEADING UP TO THE 2007 MODEL DUE TO THE SUBFRAME ROTTING OUT. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD WITH THE 2008 MODEL LEAVING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY WORTHLESS BEING THAT IT'S TOTALLED. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE SUBFRAME TO BE COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT BUT MY ACTUAL FRAME IS COMPLETELY FINE? I'D REALLY LIKE SOME ANSWERS.

Mileage: 70,000

20181115ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

IN AUGUST 2018, I WAS INFORMED BY A REPUTABLE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT ANOTHER AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DID WORK ON MY VEHICLE LESS THAN A MONTH PRIOR, "TURNED OFF" THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WENT BACK TO THAT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO, BECAUSE ITS ALL IN ONE PANEL. ON 11/11/18, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET REPLACEMENT BULBS, BUT THEY ADVISED THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND I SHOULD GO TO A MECHANIC. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A 2008 JEEP COMPASS INCLUDING SUSPENSION WORK AND OTHER MAINTENANCE. I WAS JUST INFORMED ON 11/15/18 THAT THE TIPM IS OUT CAUSING THE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS TO NOT WORK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THIS IS A DEALER ONLY PROBLEM AND COULD COST ME UP TO $2000. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I FIND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER IN 2015. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN. IN FACT, ALL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THER

Mileage: 95,240

20181115ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN AUGUST 2018, I WAS INFORMED BY A REPUTABLE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT ANOTHER AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DID WORK ON MY VEHICLE LESS THAN A MONTH PRIOR, "TURNED OFF" THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WENT BACK TO THAT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO, BECAUSE ITS ALL IN ONE PANEL. ON 11/11/18, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET REPLACEMENT BULBS, BUT THEY ADVISED THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND I SHOULD GO TO A MECHANIC. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A 2008 JEEP COMPASS INCLUDING SUSPENSION WORK AND OTHER MAINTENANCE. I WAS JUST INFORMED ON 11/15/18 THAT THE TIPM IS OUT CAUSING THE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS TO NOT WORK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THIS IS A DEALER ONLY PROBLEM AND COULD COST ME UP TO $2000. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I FIND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER IN 2015. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN. IN FACT, ALL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THER

Mileage: 95,240

20181115SUSPENSION

IN AUGUST 2018, I WAS INFORMED BY A REPUTABLE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT ANOTHER AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DID WORK ON MY VEHICLE LESS THAN A MONTH PRIOR, "TURNED OFF" THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WENT BACK TO THAT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO, BECAUSE ITS ALL IN ONE PANEL. ON 11/11/18, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET REPLACEMENT BULBS, BUT THEY ADVISED THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND I SHOULD GO TO A MECHANIC. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A 2008 JEEP COMPASS INCLUDING SUSPENSION WORK AND OTHER MAINTENANCE. I WAS JUST INFORMED ON 11/15/18 THAT THE TIPM IS OUT CAUSING THE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS TO NOT WORK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THIS IS A DEALER ONLY PROBLEM AND COULD COST ME UP TO $2000. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I FIND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER IN 2015. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN. IN FACT, ALL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THER

Mileage: 95,240

20181026SUSPENSION

MY FRONT/REAR CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED BADLY AND SWAY BAR RUSTED OFF. I BOUGHT THIS FROM A PRIVATE SELLER IN END OF 2016,I WAS JUST INFORMED FROM MIENIEKE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS A 10 YEAR RECALL ON THIS. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID RECALL WARRANTY EXP MAY 2018. I WAS NEVER INFORMED IN A TIMELY MANNER ABOUT THE RECALL TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR FROM MY TWO CHILDREN AND MYSELF. I NEED THIS FIXED,I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR AS I'M DISABLED AND CANT WORK ANYMORE. PLEASE HELP ME. PLEASE THIS ISN'T FAIR I WANT INFORMED ABOUT THIS. I SHOULD'VE GOT THE RECALL AS THE NEW OWNER. MY NAME IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20181026STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

MY FRONT/REAR CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED BADLY AND SWAY BAR RUSTED OFF. I BOUGHT THIS FROM A PRIVATE SELLER IN END OF 2016,I WAS JUST INFORMED FROM MIENIEKE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS A 10 YEAR RECALL ON THIS. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID RECALL WARRANTY EXP MAY 2018. I WAS NEVER INFORMED IN A TIMELY MANNER ABOUT THE RECALL TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR FROM MY TWO CHILDREN AND MYSELF. I NEED THIS FIXED,I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR AS I'M DISABLED AND CANT WORK ANYMORE. PLEASE HELP ME. PLEASE THIS ISN'T FAIR I WANT INFORMED ABOUT THIS. I SHOULD'VE GOT THE RECALL AS THE NEW OWNER. MY NAME IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20180905STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING ALONG. HIT MY BRAKES. AND THEN MY DRIVER FRONT WHEEL SCREECHED AND WENT INTO THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS A ROTTED OUT SUB FRAME. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE WRECKED AND POSSIBLY NOT BE ALIVE NOW. I WAS LUCKILY ON A BACK ROAD SO THERE WAS NOT ANY INJURIES.

Mileage: 120,000

20180905STEERING

I WAS DRIVING ALONG. HIT MY BRAKES. AND THEN MY DRIVER FRONT WHEEL SCREECHED AND WENT INTO THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS A ROTTED OUT SUB FRAME. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE WRECKED AND POSSIBLY NOT BE ALIVE NOW. I WAS LUCKILY ON A BACK ROAD SO THERE WAS NOT ANY INJURIES.

Mileage: 120,000

20180905UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING ALONG. HIT MY BRAKES. AND THEN MY DRIVER FRONT WHEEL SCREECHED AND WENT INTO THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS A ROTTED OUT SUB FRAME. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE WRECKED AND POSSIBLY NOT BE ALIVE NOW. I WAS LUCKILY ON A BACK ROAD SO THERE WAS NOT ANY INJURIES.

Mileage: 120,000

20170227FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EVERYTHING I FILL THE GAS TANK AS SOON AS I LEAVE THE STATION THE CAR SPITS ANS SPUTTERS AND JERKS THEN STALLS THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR STALLS THE STEERING STOPS WORKING PROPERLY WHILE THE CAR IN IN MOTION

Mileage: 109,000

20161115UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FRONT SUB FRAME ROTTED THRU FRONT END OF CAR FELL APART. NO WARNING. DRIVING THRU PARKING LOT, THANK GOD NOT ON HIGHWAY. SHOULD NOT HAVE ROTTED LIKE THAT ON 9 YEAR OLD CAR SOMEONE COULD'VE BEEN KILLED. CALLED JEEP THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR NEW SUBFRAME EVEN THOUGH THEY COVER 2007 SUBFRAMES ROTTING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. COSTING US $1800.00, COULD'VE BEEN MUCH WORSE. DISGUSTED.

Mileage: 105,000

20160917SUSPENSION

I TOOK MY CAR TO A LICENSED AUTO REPAIR SHOP DUE TO A RATTLE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 84000 MILES ON IT AND NOW I DONT FEEL SAFE. SINCE PURCHASING IT I HAVE HAD TO PUT A WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING PUMP ON NEW BEARINGS IN THE FRONT AND. FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE OIL CHANGES AND SUCH. THE CAR WAS BUILT IN 12/ 2007 . I NOTICED A RECALL ON 2007 JEEP COMPASS DUE TO BAD STEEL SO I BELIEVE MY 2008 COMPASS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO FAULTY PARTS.

Mileage: 84,000

20160421EXTERIOR LIGHTING

OVERTIME IT RAINS MY FRONT DOME LIGHT FILLS WITH WATER AND IT DRIPS/LEAKS/GUSHES OUT. BROUGHT IT IN SEVERAL TIMES, THEY "CLEAN THE FILTERS" BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2008 WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I NOW DRIVE WITH A TOWEL TO HOLD OVER LIGHT OR I LAY IT ACROSS UNDER LIGHT TO CATCH THE WATER. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO HAD SO MUCH WATER LEAK INTO SHIFTING KNOB AREA THAT SOMETHING SHORTED OUT IN MY CAR AND IT STARTED ON ITS OWN! THERE WERE NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND IT WAS RUNNING. I WAS DRIVABLE WITH KEYS IN THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF! DROPPED IT AT DEALERS OVERNIGHT AND IT WAS DEAD IN THE MORNING. THIS TERRIFIED ME! HAD MY BARKING DOG NOT AWAKENED US, WE COULD HAVE BEEN POISONED WITH CARBON MONOXIDE. THIS IS WHY I KEEP A TOWEL IN THE CAR.

Mileage: 75,000

20160421STRUCTURE:BODY

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE TO A LOCAL PLACE (NOT DEALER). HE TOLD ME THAT THE CRADLE/K FRAME WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND LOOKED DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, HE RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND SEE IF IT COULD BE REPAIRED THERE AT NO CHARGE TO ME, HE SAID AN 8 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT MUCH RUST. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT GANDRUD JEEP (GREEN BAY, WI) TODAY AND THEY CONFIRMED THE CRADLE/K BAR WAS THOROUGHLY RUSTED AND HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT. THEY TOLD ME THE 2007 JEEP COMPASS HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND JEEP EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS ON THE FRAME SO THIS COULD BE REPAIRED FOR NO CHARGE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT AND THAT I SHOULDN'T. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TOMORROW TO HAVE IT REPLACED, IT'S GOING TO COST APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO REPLACE THAT PIECE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS SITES/BLOGS/COMMENTS ON OWNERS OF THE 2008 JEEP COMPASS HAVING A COMPLETELY ROTTED FRAME AND FRUSTRATION THAT THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S MODEL WAS RECALLED/EX

Mileage: 111,000

20150404EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN I RAINS VERY HEAVILY OR SNOWS, WATER WILL START TO LEAK OUT OF THE FRONT DOME LIGHT. SOMETIMES IT DRIPS, SOMETIMES IT IS A STEADY STREAM THAT COMES OUT. I TALK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY IT IS DOING IT. WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AS THE WATER SPILLS ALL OVER MY DASH, RADIO, AND GEAR SHIFT. *TR

Mileage: 82,400

20140122WHEELS

THE PART IS FRONT AND WHEEL HUB BEARINGS. TOOK MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AND THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT AND REAR HUB BEARINGS ARE DETERIORATED BUT NO OTHER PART WAS. WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO A JEEP DEALERSHIP. I TOOK IT IMPERIAL JEEP IN MENDON, MA AND THEY CHECK IT AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THESE PARTS ARE DETERIORATED. SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. CONTACTED JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY 50% BUT WAS NOT TOLD THAT THE OFFER WAS ONLY VALID FOR 30 DAYS SO WHEN I CALLED BACK WHICH WAS PAST THE 30 DAYS, I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE ORIGINAL OFFER. NOT SURE WHERE I CAN GO FROM HERE. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

20130603ENGINE

WHEN THE CAR PULLS UP TO A STOP LIGHT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES, AND THE IDLE DROPS. IT DROPS FROM AN NORMAL IDLE 500-600 TO BELOW 500. THEN SHAKES LIKE A TRACTOR. *TR

Mileage: 57,500

20130603SUSPENSION

WHEN THE CAR PULLS UP TO A STOP LIGHT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES, AND THE IDLE DROPS. IT DROPS FROM AN NORMAL IDLE 500-600 TO BELOW 500. THEN SHAKES LIKE A TRACTOR. *TR

Mileage: 57,500

20130603SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN THE CAR PULLS UP TO A STOP LIGHT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES, AND THE IDLE DROPS. IT DROPS FROM AN NORMAL IDLE 500-600 TO BELOW 500. THEN SHAKES LIKE A TRACTOR. *TR

Mileage: 57,500

Compare 2008JEEPCOMPASS FWD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 3 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 JEEP COMPASS FWD have?
The 2008 JEEP COMPASS FWD has 48 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 JEEP COMPASS FWD?
Yes, the 2008 JEEP COMPASS FWD has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 JEEP COMPASS FWD?
The most-complained component for the 2008 JEEP COMPASS FWD is SUSPENSION with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY.
Is the 2008 JEEP COMPASS FWD 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.