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Jeep CompassModel year report

2009 Jeep Compass Problems

Compared with other Jeep Compass years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
44filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
88,000miles, 33 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 29 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Jeep Compass (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2009 Jeep Compass. The part named most often is suspension, with 15 complaints (34% of the total), followed by body and structure (7) and other or unknown (6). 33 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 88,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 50 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 15 Jeep Compass model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (2), Tires (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11044860, filed 2017-11, 98,000 miles

Body and structure: “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. The oil pain is now getting replaced for corrosion.”

NHTSA complaint #11142314, filed 2018-10, 90,700 miles

Other or unknown: “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 dealership yesterday and they found nothing wrong . They could not duplicate the problem which I told them of course they can't duplicate it they aren't traveling on a long trip. …”

NHTSA complaint #10609030, filed 2014-07, 94,000 miles

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10735442, filed 2015-07, 72,471 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 33 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 109,000 miles.

9%0–106%10–2518%25–5012%50–7521%75–10021%100–15012%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (33 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 88,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’09’11’13’15’177’19’22’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Jeep Compass. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Compass · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4——4 · 16.4% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Jeep Compass version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Compass 2WD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual232925$2,700
Compass 2WD2.0L 4-cylCVT232724$2,800
Compass 2WD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual232825$2,700
Compass 2WD2.4L 4-cylCVT212523$2,900
Compass 4WD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual232825$2,700
Compass 4WD2.4L 4-cylCVT212422$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 Jeep Compass → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 50 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 50 bulletins →

Other model years of the Jeep Compass

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202652,0001426—Too new
20252910,7310427Too new to compareToo new
20245312,0000427Too new to compareToo new
20234912,1342—2735 · FewerToo new
202222510,4474425100 · MoreRising
20218170,000042513 · FewerRising
202014321,563142656 · TypicalRising
201933112,000242687 · MoreRising
201894718,5006426100 · MoreFalling
201722928,000442586 · MoreFalling
201629355,0001—2551 · TypicalFalling
201511362,0001—256 · FewerFalling
201430857,568242464 · TypicalFalling
20138051,50013250 · FewerFalling
201218459,0004—2557 · TypicalFalling
201118870,0003—2549 · TypicalFalling
20107178,0002—250 · FewerFalling
20094488,0001—250 · FewerFalling
20089395,5000—240 · FewerFalling
200725982,4603—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Jeep Compass model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Jeep Compass have?

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2009 Jeep Compass as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Jeep Compass is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 15 complaints (34% of the total), followed by body and structure with 7.

Has the 2009 Jeep Compass been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Jeep Compass get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Jeep Compass (Compass 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Jeep Compass reported?

Among the 33 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 88,000 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 109,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.