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2008 Jeep Compass 4X4 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Jeep Compass 4X4, most often about the suspension (47% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Compass 4X4 model year since 2000.

Complaints47
Recalls0
Crashes reported0
Fires reported4
Injuries reported0

Most common 2008 Jeep Compass 4X4 problems

  1. Suspension

    22 complaints · 47%

    Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.

    Ball joint on the 2008 Jeep compass is has gone bad after just 50,000 miles. Over 1/2 " of play in the joint that could cause separation of the wheel from the vehicle causing a driver to lose control of the vehicle.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 50,000 miles
    The steering began to pull sharply to the side. When the Jeep was taken to the shop, the mechanic was able to get the part immediately from the dealer because the part was kept in stock because it is so often replaced. The mechanic said that lower ball joints typically last at least twice as long as these and that…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 50,000 miles

  2. Steering

    11 complaints · 23%

    Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.

    The steering began to pull sharply to the side. When the Jeep was taken to the shop, the mechanic was able to get the part immediately from the dealer because the part was kept in stock because it is so often replaced. The mechanic said that lower ball joints typically last at least twice as long as these and that…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 50,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2008 Jeep compass. When attempting to start the vehicle it stalled and a red symbol would illuminate on the instrument panel. A red light bulb also illuminated on the left hand corner of the instrument panel. In addition, when the vehicle was in motion, he would experience a loss of power steering.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 53,000 miles

  3. Body and structure

    6 complaints · 13%

    Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.

    My compass creaks and rattles loudly over bumps. Took it to a garage and they notified me that the subframes were rotted requiring replacement of the subframes, but also replacement of the control arms, links, as well as the need for an alignment.this car is only 7 years old and should not have this problem. I have…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 104,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Compass 4X4. The contact stated that while having the vehicle serviced for an oil change, it was discovered that the front sub frame was partially rotted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire front sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 128,000 miles

  4. Fuel system

    6 complaints · 13%

    Recently my 2008 Jeep compass started having trouble with refueling. It would spit fuel back out anytime I tried to fill the tank. The dealer cleaned the check valve in the fuel tank, but it only lasted for one fill up. This is a safety issue! Today, fuel came gushing back out and soaked my pants leg and shoes.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 68,000 miles
    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 135,000 miles

  5. Transmission

    5 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.

    I stopped at a stop light, began to accelerate when light turned green and the car started shaking. I pulled into a gas station, at that point my car would no longer move while pressing on the gas pedal. I had to be towed to a local mechanic and was informed my transmission had failed.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 104,000 miles
    On freeway, suddenly felt no power. Car lost power and would not go over 20 MPH. Got off freeway, put car into park, would not go in reverse, started up again, same problem. Rpms go up, but no momentum to car even with foot on floor on gas pedal. After car was turned off and key was taken out, it started up like…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 66,000 miles

  6. Brakes

    3 complaints · 6%

    Tl contact owns a 2008 Jeep Compass 4X4. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact applied pressure to the brake pedal but the brakes would not respond. The contact stated the failure occurred three times. The contact stated there was approximately an inch of snow on the ground when the failure occurred the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 22,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2008 Jeep compass sport 4x4. The contact stated that when attempting to decelerate in snowy weather, the brakes would not function properly and would exhibit an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 20,000 miles

  7. Engine

    3 complaints · 6%

    Parts named most often: engine.

    Tl contact owns a 2008 Jeep compass. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH the vehicle stalled. Whenever the vehicle stalled, the contact was forced to coast onto the emergency lane and wait a few minutes in order to restart it. The vehicle stalled five times within the last year. When the dealer performed a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 17,500 miles
    I stopped at a stop light, began to accelerate when light turned green and the car started shaking. I pulled into a gas station, at that point my car would no longer move while pressing on the gas pedal. I had to be towed to a local mechanic and was informed my transmission had failed.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 104,000 miles

  8. Wheels and tires

    3 complaints · 6%

    The vehicle was bought brand new in 2010. Went to the dealership to get one of the tires replaced. The automotive mechanics found multiple problems in the control arm and the ball joint of the wheel. The mechanic told me that the problem is very common to Jeep compass. I just want to file a complaint because the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 23,973 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 85,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2008 Jeep Compass 4X4 recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2008 Jeep Compass 4X4

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Compass 4X4?
By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (22 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); steering (11 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); body and structure (6 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Compass 4X4 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Jeep Compass 4X4. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2008 a bad year for the Jeep Compass 4X4?
It is the 2nd most complained-about Compass 4X4 model year since 2000, with 47 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Jeep Compass 4X4 years

Jeep Compass 4X4 problems by year