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2008 Jeep Compass

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Jeep Compass do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 126.

About this comparison →
93Owner complaints

Model-year median: 126

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
259
200793
200844
200971
2010187
2011
Compare all Compass years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
30Suspension
26Engine
13Fuel/propulsion System
13Power Train
12
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
12Steering
9Air Bags
4Electrical System
4Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3Service Brakes
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Exterior Lighting
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

74 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Structure. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

1 reports
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40,155 miles · May 29, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH SHORTED OUT CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL, TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INCORRECTLY (STUCK IN WRONG GEAR), AND MELT ELECTRICAL WIRES INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRST SYMPTOM WAS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THIS CAN BE OVERRIDDEN WITH A RELEASE SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR…

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THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH SHORTED OUT CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL, TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INCORRECTLY (STUCK IN WRONG GEAR), AND MELT ELECTRICAL WIRES INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRST SYMPTOM WAS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THIS CAN BE OVERRIDDEN WITH A RELEASE SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, THE BRAKES LIGHT FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED AS WELL AS CAUSING EXTREMELY POOR PERFORMANCE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, WHICH CAUSED SPEED AND CONTROL INSTABILITY. DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULE, IT CAUSED SEVERAL ADDITIONAL WIRES TO OVERHEAT AND MELT. I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS FOR ANYONE ELSE THIS HAPPENS TO. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT WOULD ALLOW A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TO HINDER THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. WHY DID THE SHORT NOT BLOW A FUSE? TYPICALLY, THAT SHOULD HAPPEN WITH AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594871

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.