2013 Jeep Compass Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the continuously variable transmission (CVT) overheating on long highway drives, followed by the vehicle dropping speed or refusing to accelerate; many also report throttle-related power loss and limp mode. Air bag and seat belt complaints cluster around recalls and deployment concerns, and a smaller group describes door-handle trim injuries, headrests that come apart, and undersea rust on low-mileage vehicles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   CVT transmission overheats and drops power

   • 18 complaints (23%)
   • median 68,500 mi at 5.4 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2023

   Owners describe the transmission temperature light coming on during extended highway driving, often in warm weather or on grades, followed by a whine and a rapid loss of speed to a crawl. Many say waiting for the vehicle to cool restores normal operation, at least for a while, and several had transmissions replaced or quoted for replacement. Dealers reportedly replaced fluid, filters, or the filler tube, and some visits ended with no fault code found or an inability to duplicate the symptom. Reports range from a few tens of thousands of miles to well past 100,000 miles, most often during sustained driving at 60-75 mph and frequently when outside temperatures are high.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the CVT fluid was ever changed and whether the transmission has been replaced or repaired; take a long highway test drive on a warm day and watch for the transmission temperature light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Traveling at 70 MPH, the transmission over heating light came on. The Jeep lost all power. After about 30 minutes the light went off. We pulled to safe location. Jeep still didn't have much power. Transmission sounded awful. Jeep was taken home on a flatbed. Now I am being told because it has 101340 miles the warranty is over. Dealership is saying because the code light is off they can't do anything.”

   NHTSA complaint #11234648, filed 2019-07, 101,340 miles

   “I was driving my vehicle at the speed limit (60-65 on freeway) the tachometer soared to about 3500and the vehicle made a noise. It lost all power and I had no control. I almost hit another motorist trying to get off the freeway. When I turned left or tried to at the top of the exit the vehicle wouldn't move that's when the transmission temp indicator light came on. I finally turned left and the vehicle traveled about 2-5 MPH. I stopped at a gas station and looked the light up in the owners manual. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11228351, filed 2019-06, 110,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Throttle control light and loss of acceleration

   • 8 complaints (10%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2020

   Owners describe the electronic throttle control (lightning bolt) light illuminating and the engine cutting power, leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate past walking or low speeds. Some link it to stalling at intersections or while merging, and in several cases the engine would not restart. Dealers reportedly traced it to the throttle body or wiring and replaced those parts; other owners say mechanics could not find a cause. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles, often during acceleration or highway merging.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body or throttle wiring has been replaced, and have a mechanic scan for stored throttle and pedal codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Around 80,000 miles my car stopped accelerating and appeared to stay in 1st gear (I drive an automatic). Luckily, I was driving on a residential street. Then the check engine light, the traction light, and a red lightning bolt light turn on. When I took the car to the dealership they diagnosed the car needs a new throttle body, wiring, and a new battery. The battery ended up failing shortly after I brought it into the shop.”

   NHTSA complaint #11195435, filed 2019-04, 79,000 miles

   “I was driving on the pa turnpike approximately 65 MPH, when I stepped on the gas and the car would not accelerate. My car was basically coasting as cars and tractor trailers were flying by me at 70+ MPH. I managed to get off the road safely, and all the lights on my dashboard were going crazy. Had the car towed to the dealership and they told me it's the throttle body - regulates the flow of fuel to the engine - electrical failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10946442, filed 2017-01, 49,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bag and seat belt repairs or parts delays

   • 20 complaints (25%)
   • median 38,500 mi at 3.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2022

   Complaints describe difficulty getting air bag and seat belt recall work done, including parts that were ordered but never arrived and long waits for appointments. Some owners report non-deployment in a crash, a deployed air bag that caught fire, or seat belt retractors and buckles that no longer held the belt. A few describe recalls still open because parts were unavailable. Reported across the mileage range, from a few thousand miles to vehicles with no mileage given.

   Recall 16V668000

   What to check: Check the VIN against open recalls and ask for written proof that the air bag and seat belt recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall my Jeep goes to the dealership for everything. I recently just got an inspection. My Jeep has 67,000 mile on it. I have had 2 recalls, in which have not been fixed due to lack of parts. When I got my Jeep back after my inspection, I notice the vehicle seemed to be lagging when I hit the gas pedal. This morning a light flickered on then off, so I looked in my user guide to see what it was. It was the electronic throttle control light. I was in the middle of accelerating onto an interstate, which could have been fatal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11088343, filed 2018-04, 67,000 miles

   “I have been trying to get in contact with bensons chrysler dodge Jeep ram in greer sc since the spring of 2019 about recalls on my Jeep. Finally, my dad decided to just call chrysler and they sent us to the big o which is in greenville sc the instructed us they would order the parts and call us when they come in. It has been about 7 months since we called them in either june or july about this and since it is airbags and seatbelts we are very concerned with my safety if I was to get into a wreck.”

   NHTSA complaint #11317254, filed 2020-03

Buying note. Have a mechanic look closely at the CVT and throttle system on any used example, since those two areas dominate the complaints, and confirm open recalls are closed before purchase. A long highway test drive and a VIN recall check are the two cheapest ways to catch the most commonly reported problems.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.