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2008 Jeep Compass Fwd

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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Owner complaints by model year

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What owners reported most

All reported categories

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

29 reports with mileage · 3 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

32 reports
112,000 miles · Apr 10, 2019
Structure

OUR 2008 JEEP COMPASS HAS A CLUNKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE FRONT WHEEL WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEEL. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THE SUBFRAME IS HEAVILY CORRODED AND IS RUSTING OUT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL AND WAS COVERED UNDER AN 'EXTENDED WARRANTY' BULLETIN THAT WE W…

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OUR 2008 JEEP COMPASS HAS A CLUNKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE FRONT WHEEL WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEEL. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THE SUBFRAME IS HEAVILY CORRODED AND IS RUSTING OUT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL AND WAS COVERED UNDER AN 'EXTENDED WARRANTY' BULLETIN THAT WE WERE NOT TOLD ABOUT AND NOW THAT HAS EXPIRED AND IT IS NOT COVERED ANYMORE. I WAS TOLD THE BULLETIN EXPIRED 9/2017 SO NOW 1 YEAR AND 7 MONTHS LATER MY VEHICLE WITH ONLY 112K MILES IS GOING TO NEED AN EXPENSIVE FIX OR BASICALLY BE JUNKED. THE 2007 VEHICLES HAD A RECALL AND EVEN THOUGH MINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2007 THERE IS NO RECOURSE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11195476

70,000 miles · Feb 26, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I RECENTLY DISCOVERED WHEN BRINGING MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS TO A MECHANIC THAT MY ENTIRE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. THE SUBFRAME IS SO ROTTED OUT THAT HE SUGGESTED GETTING IT TOWED HOME BECAUSE THE WHEEL MIGHT COMPLETELY FALL OFF IF I HIT A POT HOLE HARD ENOUGH. THE BODY ON MY JEEP IS NEARLY FLAWLESS AND THE ENGINE ONLY HAS…

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I RECENTLY DISCOVERED WHEN BRINGING MY 2008 JEEP COMPASS TO A MECHANIC THAT MY ENTIRE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. THE SUBFRAME IS SO ROTTED OUT THAT HE SUGGESTED GETTING IT TOWED HOME BECAUSE THE WHEEL MIGHT COMPLETELY FALL OFF IF I HIT A POT HOLE HARD ENOUGH. THE BODY ON MY JEEP IS NEARLY FLAWLESS AND THE ENGINE ONLY HAS 70,000 ORIGINAL MILES. IS SEE ON OTHER SITES THERE IS A RECALL ON ALL THE COMPASS MODELS LEADING UP TO THE 2007 MODEL DUE TO THE SUBFRAME ROTTING OUT. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD WITH THE 2008 MODEL LEAVING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY WORTHLESS BEING THAT IT'S TOTALLED. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE SUBFRAME TO BE COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT BUT MY ACTUAL FRAME IS COMPLETELY FINE? I'D REALLY LIKE SOME ANSWERS.

NHTSA ODI #11182674

95,240 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

IN AUGUST 2018, I WAS INFORMED BY A REPUTABLE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT ANOTHER AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DID WORK ON MY VEHICLE LESS THAN A MONTH PRIOR, "TURNED OFF" THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WENT BACK TO THAT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO, BECAUSE ITS ALL IN ONE PANEL. ON 11/11/18, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE…

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IN AUGUST 2018, I WAS INFORMED BY A REPUTABLE AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT ANOTHER AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT DID WORK ON MY VEHICLE LESS THAN A MONTH PRIOR, "TURNED OFF" THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I WENT BACK TO THAT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO, BECAUSE ITS ALL IN ONE PANEL. ON 11/11/18, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET REPLACEMENT BULBS, BUT THEY ADVISED THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND I SHOULD GO TO A MECHANIC. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A 2008 JEEP COMPASS INCLUDING SUSPENSION WORK AND OTHER MAINTENANCE. I WAS JUST INFORMED ON 11/15/18 THAT THE TIPM IS OUT CAUSING THE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS TO NOT WORK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THIS IS A DEALER ONLY PROBLEM AND COULD COST ME UP TO $2000. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I FIND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER IN 2015. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN. IN FACT, ALL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2008 JEEP COMPASS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN ALL LAWSUITS. I WAS NOT CONTACTED BY ANYONE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOW THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE SAFETY ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #11151865

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2018
StructureSuspension

MY FRONT/REAR CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED BADLY AND SWAY BAR RUSTED OFF. I BOUGHT THIS FROM A PRIVATE SELLER IN END OF 2016,I WAS JUST INFORMED FROM MIENIEKE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS A 10 YEAR RECALL ON THIS. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID RECALL WARRANTY EXP MAY 2018. I WAS NEVER INFORMED IN A TIMELY MANNER ABOUT THE R…

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MY FRONT/REAR CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED BADLY AND SWAY BAR RUSTED OFF. I BOUGHT THIS FROM A PRIVATE SELLER IN END OF 2016,I WAS JUST INFORMED FROM MIENIEKE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS A 10 YEAR RECALL ON THIS. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID RECALL WARRANTY EXP MAY 2018. I WAS NEVER INFORMED IN A TIMELY MANNER ABOUT THE RECALL TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR FROM MY TWO CHILDREN AND MYSELF. I NEED THIS FIXED,I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR AS I'M DISABLED AND CANT WORK ANYMORE. PLEASE HELP ME. PLEASE THIS ISN'T FAIR I WANT INFORMED ABOUT THIS. I SHOULD'VE GOT THE RECALL AS THE NEW OWNER. MY NAME IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11142855

120,000 miles · Sep 5, 2018
SteeringStructureUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ALONG. HIT MY BRAKES. AND THEN MY DRIVER FRONT WHEEL SCREECHED AND WENT INTO THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS A ROTTED OUT SUB FRAME. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE WRECKED AND POSSIBLY NOT BE ALIVE NOW. I WAS LUCKILY ON A BACK ROAD SO THERE WAS NOT ANY …

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I WAS DRIVING ALONG. HIT MY BRAKES. AND THEN MY DRIVER FRONT WHEEL SCREECHED AND WENT INTO THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS A ROTTED OUT SUB FRAME. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE WRECKED AND POSSIBLY NOT BE ALIVE NOW. I WAS LUCKILY ON A BACK ROAD SO THERE WAS NOT ANY INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #11124658

109,000 miles · Feb 27, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

EVERYTHING I FILL THE GAS TANK AS SOON AS I LEAVE THE STATION THE CAR SPITS ANS SPUTTERS AND JERKS THEN STALLS THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR STALLS THE STEERING STOPS WORKING PROPERLY WHILE THE CAR IN IN MOTION

NHTSA ODI #10957329

105,000 miles · Nov 15, 2016
Unknown Or Other

FRONT SUB FRAME ROTTED THRU FRONT END OF CAR FELL APART. NO WARNING. DRIVING THRU PARKING LOT, THANK GOD NOT ON HIGHWAY. SHOULD NOT HAVE ROTTED LIKE THAT ON 9 YEAR OLD CAR SOMEONE COULD'VE BEEN KILLED. CALLED JEEP THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR NEW SUBFRAME EVEN THOUGH THEY COVER 2007 SUBFRAMES ROTTING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE P…

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FRONT SUB FRAME ROTTED THRU FRONT END OF CAR FELL APART. NO WARNING. DRIVING THRU PARKING LOT, THANK GOD NOT ON HIGHWAY. SHOULD NOT HAVE ROTTED LIKE THAT ON 9 YEAR OLD CAR SOMEONE COULD'VE BEEN KILLED. CALLED JEEP THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR NEW SUBFRAME EVEN THOUGH THEY COVER 2007 SUBFRAMES ROTTING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED. COSTING US $1800.00, COULD'VE BEEN MUCH WORSE. DISGUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #10926172

84,000 miles · Sep 17, 2016
Suspension

I TOOK MY CAR TO A LICENSED AUTO REPAIR SHOP DUE TO A RATTLE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 84000 MILES ON IT AND NOW I DONT FEEL SAFE. SINCE PURCHASING IT I HAVE HAD TO PUT A WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING PUMP ON NEW BEARINGS IN THE FRONT AND. FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR …

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I TOOK MY CAR TO A LICENSED AUTO REPAIR SHOP DUE TO A RATTLE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 84000 MILES ON IT AND NOW I DONT FEEL SAFE. SINCE PURCHASING IT I HAVE HAD TO PUT A WATER PUMP, POWER STEERING PUMP ON NEW BEARINGS IN THE FRONT AND. FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE OIL CHANGES AND SUCH. THE CAR WAS BUILT IN 12/ 2007 . I NOTICED A RECALL ON 2007 JEEP COMPASS DUE TO BAD STEEL SO I BELIEVE MY 2008 COMPASS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO FAULTY PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #10907396

75,000 miles · Apr 21, 2016
Exterior Lighting

OVERTIME IT RAINS MY FRONT DOME LIGHT FILLS WITH WATER AND IT DRIPS/LEAKS/GUSHES OUT. BROUGHT IT IN SEVERAL TIMES, THEY "CLEAN THE FILTERS" BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2008 WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I NOW DRIVE WITH A TOWEL TO HOLD OVER LIGHT OR I LAY IT ACROSS UNDER LIGHT TO CATCH THE WATE…

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OVERTIME IT RAINS MY FRONT DOME LIGHT FILLS WITH WATER AND IT DRIPS/LEAKS/GUSHES OUT. BROUGHT IT IN SEVERAL TIMES, THEY "CLEAN THE FILTERS" BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2008 WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I NOW DRIVE WITH A TOWEL TO HOLD OVER LIGHT OR I LAY IT ACROSS UNDER LIGHT TO CATCH THE WATER. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO HAD SO MUCH WATER LEAK INTO SHIFTING KNOB AREA THAT SOMETHING SHORTED OUT IN MY CAR AND IT STARTED ON ITS OWN! THERE WERE NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND IT WAS RUNNING. I WAS DRIVABLE WITH KEYS IN THE IGNITION, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF! DROPPED IT AT DEALERS OVERNIGHT AND IT WAS DEAD IN THE MORNING. THIS TERRIFIED ME! HAD MY BARKING DOG NOT AWAKENED US, WE COULD HAVE BEEN POISONED WITH CARBON MONOXIDE. THIS IS WHY I KEEP A TOWEL IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10860756

111,000 miles · Apr 21, 2016
Structure

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE TO A LOCAL PLACE (NOT DEALER). HE TOLD ME THAT THE CRADLE/K FRAME WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND LOOKED DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, HE RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND SEE IF IT COULD BE REPAIRED THERE AT NO CHARGE TO ME, HE SAID AN 8 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT MUCH RUST. I MADE AN APPOIN…

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I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE TO A LOCAL PLACE (NOT DEALER). HE TOLD ME THAT THE CRADLE/K FRAME WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND LOOKED DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, HE RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND SEE IF IT COULD BE REPAIRED THERE AT NO CHARGE TO ME, HE SAID AN 8 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT MUCH RUST. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT GANDRUD JEEP (GREEN BAY, WI) TODAY AND THEY CONFIRMED THE CRADLE/K BAR WAS THOROUGHLY RUSTED AND HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT. THEY TOLD ME THE 2007 JEEP COMPASS HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND JEEP EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS ON THE FRAME SO THIS COULD BE REPAIRED FOR NO CHARGE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT AND THAT I SHOULDN'T. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TOMORROW TO HAVE IT REPLACED, IT'S GOING TO COST APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO REPLACE THAT PIECE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS SITES/BLOGS/COMMENTS ON OWNERS OF THE 2008 JEEP COMPASS HAVING A COMPLETELY ROTTED FRAME AND FRUSTRATION THAT THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S MODEL WAS RECALLED/EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT COULD BE REPLACED. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS FAULTY PIECE THAT THE OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF AND REPLACED. I DON'T BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR, THERE IS CLEARLY SOME ISSUE WITH THE COATING ON THIS PIECE THAT CAUSES IT TO RUST SO QUICKLY AND COMPLETELY. I AM LUCKY THAT THE GUY CHANGING MY OIL MENTIONED IT TO ME, I USUALLY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE BUT THEY'RE OUT OF THE WAY. I ALSO AM CONCERNED THAT EVERY 3-4 MONTHS I GET AN OIL CHANGE AND GANDRUD NEVER MENTIONED IT TO ME, I DON'T KNOW HOW QUICKLY THIS PART RUSTED OR IF THEY NOTICED. PLEASE CONSIDER RECALLING THIS PART, THIS RUSTED BAR COULD CAUSE MANY ISSUES (EVEN FATAL) IF LEFT ALONE. I ALSO TOOK A FEW PICTURES THAT I WILL BE SENDING INTO JEEP.

NHTSA ODI #10860750

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.