Verdict · NHTSA data
Among the better years
The 2009 Jeep Compass is among the quieter years of the Compass on NHTSA's books: 60 complaints (72% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations.
Suspension leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (25% of the total).
60
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
3
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 15 | 25% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 8 | 13% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 7 | 12% | ▼ down |
| Other | 5 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 5 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 4 | 7% | — flat |
| Transmission | 4 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 3 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 2 | 3% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 2 | 3% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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..…”
“ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL HAS SEVERE PROBLEM, ALMOST STALLING OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IAM SCARED OF A 'STALL-OUT" WHILE IN TRAFFIC THAT COULD RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. FIRST SEVERE OCCURRANCE WAS ON MAY 15TH,2015. AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING FREQUENTLY EVERSINCE.”
“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…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS CORRODED DUE TO DEFECTIVE METAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE…”
“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.”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 60 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Compass year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (15 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints), body & structure (7 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2009 Jeep Compass. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Compass years to avoid are 2018, 2019, 2014, 2016, 2007, 2022, 2017, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2013. The cleanest record among Compass years belongs to 2026.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.