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2009 Jeep Compass Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Jeep Compass, most often about the suspension (34% of complaints, typically around 67,500 miles). It is 18th of 20 Compass model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.

Complaints44
Recalls1
Crashes reported2
Fires reported0
Injuries reported1

Most common 2009 Jeep Compass problems

  1. Suspension

    15 complaints · 34%

    Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.

    Subframe rot. At 70,000 mile steering control was lost due to a crack in the front subframe caused by excessive rust/rot. Luckily there were no injuries since this happened at low speed. The front subframe had a complete failure with a 12 inch lateral crack through the cross member. This caused total front suspension…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 70,000 miles
    Premature failure (46700 miles) of both left and right lower control arms found during annual state inspection. Replaced both lower control arms.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 46,700 miles

  2. Body and structure

    7 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.

    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 lifted it he saw rust.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 90,700 miles
    The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while stationary, the cross member of the vehicle was rusted severely. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the cross member replaced. It was unknown where the vehicle was taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 101,000 miles

  3. Other or unspecified

    5 complaints · 11%

    My 2009 Jeep Compass overheats on long trips. It does a high pitched whining noise and then it slows down to 40 MPH and will not allow you to go faster. This is very bad when you are on interstate 5 with no way to pull over and grandchildren in the car. Very dangerous. This has happened 3 times. I took it to the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 94,000 miles
    The drain in the sunroof is defective. There are a lot of complaints on the internet of this problem. I constantly "clear the drain as told by the car dealership" but the drain still leaks while you are driving and this becomes a major distraction. The water is dripping from my overhead lights down into my gear…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 1,500 miles

  4. Electrical

    5 complaints · 11%

    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 72,471 miles
    They (dealers) keep saying my wiring harness needs replace. They replace it once on 7/11/16 cause my radiator fan would not come on and they replace the timp. Now the fan won't turn off even when the key is out. Miles on this is 130,859 I believe there a issue with this wiring harness p/n 68043111ab and the timp p/n…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 129,957 miles

  5. Engine

    5 complaints · 11%

    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 72,471 miles
    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 mileage was 75,000.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 75,000 miles

  6. Transmission

    4 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: automatic transmission.

    The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. While the vehicle was idled or attempting to decelerate the vehicle would suddenly stall without warning similar to the failure described in NHTSA campaign id number: 08v528000 (power train: automatic transmission: control module -TCM, PCM). The dealer advised the contact to bring…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 37,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the instrument panel lights flashed on and off as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed the dealer and the failure was located at the instrument panel cluster. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 24,852 miles

  7. Air bags

    4 complaints · 9%

    The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and the anti lock braking system, electronic stability program, and traction warning indicators would remain illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer for diagnostic…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 100,000 miles
    The airbag light has maintained itself on approximately three months, and every 10-15 minutes it sends me an alarm, warning me that something is wrong, and that the airbag is not functioning accordingly.this happens every time the vehicle is being in use and in march.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 133,800 miles

  8. Steering

    3 complaints · 7%

    2009 Jeep Compass, with 31,278 miles showed excessive wear in both the left lower control arm and outer tie rod end. Though covered under warranty, the lower control arm issue is reflective of our similar experience with our 2007 Jeep patriot. The NHTSA should investigate both the Jeep Compass and patriots for a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 31,278 miles
    The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that a rattling noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer confirmed the tie rod needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 16,000 and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 16,000 miles

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

2009 Jeep Compass recalls

  1. Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

    NHTSA 08V528000 · October 9, 2008 · 712 vehicles

    Risk: This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the PCM free of charge. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    Full defect summary

    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.

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 2009 Jeep Compass

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Jeep Compass?
By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (15 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); body and structure (7 complaints, typically around 90,500 miles); other or unspecified (5 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2009 Jeep Compass have?
1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 9, 2008 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2009 a bad year for the Jeep Compass?
It is 18th of 20 Compass model years by number of complaints, with 44 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 years

Jeep Compass problems by year