2008 Jeep Compass Body & Structure Problems

Your 2008 Jeep Compass has rust damage on the front and rear crossmembers (structural support beams underneath the car), which Chrysler issued a warranty extension to cover on 2008-2012 models. You may notice a rattle when driving due to this corrosion. Even though your car qualifies geographically and by model year, Chrysler and the dealership have refused to cover the repair because the vehicle is past the 10-year warranty window. Fixing this will likely involve inspecting the corroded crossmembers and replacing the affected sections or the entire member.

Your Jeep developed significant rust on the subframe despite having only 71,000 miles and being well-maintained. Your mechanic found that the subframe has rotted through and become soft, requiring complete replacement. FCA declined warranty coverage because the warranty period had expired, leaving you responsible for the full repair cost of approximately $1,750.

Your front crossmember (a structural support beam) corroded and caused steering problems and loud clunking sounds when turning, requiring expensive replacement. You may also need the rear crossmember replaced due to similar corrosion. You weren't notified about a recall for this issue. Fixing this typically involves removing the damaged crossmember and installing a new one.

Your 2008 Jeep Compass makes a clunking noise on the driver's side near the front wheel when turning. A mechanic identified heavy corrosion and rust on the subframe as the cause. This is a known issue for this model year that was covered under an extended warranty bulletin you weren't informed about, but that coverage has now expired. Fixing the corroded subframe will likely require replacement or welding of the structural component.

Your 2008 Jeep Compass is experiencing rust and corrosion on both the front and rear of the vehicle. This is a structural issue that can worsen over time if not addressed. Repairs will likely involve rust removal, treatment, and repainting affected areas.

LEAKS FROM THE MAP LIGHTS.I THINK IT IS COMING FROM THE MOON ROOF.

SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT MAKING THE CAR NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND IT WOULD COST $1700 FOR REPAIR. NO NOTICE WAS SENT OUT TO OWNERS; ONLY MECHANICS. NO PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF PROBLEM. CAR WAS DRIVEN BY MY 82 YEAR OLD MOTHER IN LAW. I AM HER SON IN LAW AND I WAS DRIVING HER CAR TO TAKE HER TO AN APPOINTMENT; AND SUDDENLY IT WAS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE, GOING TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SUB FRAME RUST. MY MECHANIC KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM FROM JEEP, BUT RESEARCHING IT ONLINE CONFIRMED WHAT HE TOLD ME. JEEP KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT DID NOT RECALL THE CAR; JUST SENT NOTIFICATIONS TO MECHANICS, NOT THE OWNERS. MY MOTHER IN LAW HAD THE CAR INSPECTED IN JULY 2018 BY HER MECHANIC. VIN NUMBER INDICATED EXTENDED WARRANTY ON FRAME EXPIRED SEPT 2018. PROBLEM HAPPENED IN DEC. 2018. I CONFIRMED ALL THE ABOVE WITH LOCAL JEEP DEALERSHIP. WE APPROACHED MY MOTHER IN LAWS MECHANIC AND HE ADMITTED KNOWING OF THE PROBLEM, BUT APPARENTLY MISSED IT IN INSPECTION OR CHOSE NOT TO TELL HER. THE CAR WAS WELL CARED FOR. OIL CHANGES ETC...79,000 MILES NEAR PERFECT BODY AND NOW I'M TOLD IT'S JUNK--AND ONLY WORTH $200! I CALLED JEEP CORP OFFICE 877-426-5337 TO MAKE A PLEA TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED SO MY MOTHER IN LAW COULD RESELL. LIVING IN A GOVERNMENT ASSISTED SENIOR APARTMENT, SHE THOUGHT HER CAR WAS AN ASSET OR INVESTMENT SHE COULD SOMEDAY RELY ON FOR A LITTLE EXTRA; BUT NOT ITS BEEN REDUCED TO A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS. NOT TO MENTION--SHE COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THE CAR COULD HAVE FALLEN APART AND SHE COULD HAVE HURT HERSELF AND OTHERS. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED TWO HOLES IN THE REAR CROSSMEMBERS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HOLES WERE CAUSED BY SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION AND THE CROSSMEMBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (VISION DODGE, 920 PANORAMA TRAIL, ROCHESTER, NY) WERE NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

THE REAR END WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. TOOK IT INTO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS CLOSE TO BREAKING. HE HAD TO SECURE THE REAR END TO THE FRAME WITH RATCHET STRAPS TO ALLOW ME TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC WHO COULD FIX IT. ONLY ONE BOLT SECURED THE REAR END TO THE FRAME IT WAS SO DAMAGED. HAD IT BROKEN OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IF NOT KILLED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS BADLY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AN INSPECTOR WOULD BE SENT OUT. THE CONTACT CALLED RYAN AUTO MALL (CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM) AT (763) 682-2424 (1000 HIGHWAY 55 EAST, BUFFALO, MN 55313) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN INSPECTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 JEEP COMPASS TOOK IT IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE CRADLE,THERE WORDS NOT MINE,WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND NEEDED REPLACED! I DO ALOT OF TRAVELING TAKING MONTHLY TRIPS TO ALABAMA AND ALSO DELIVER CATERS FOR MY JOB. I OFTEN HAVE MY GRANDKIDS WITH ME AS WELL. I WENT ON LINE AND SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS THE SAME AS MINE! THIS ISSUE IS A DEATH TRAP AND JEEP MANUFACTURES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT! THESE JEEPS ARE NOT EVEN 10YRS OLD THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING I AM POSTING MY PHOTOS OF MINE TO SHOW HOW BAD THIS SITUATION IS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, A BANGING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,300.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT ONE COULD PUT A FINGER THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THIS WAS NOT PART OF FCA'S EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE 2007 JEEP COMPASS SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ UPDATED 09/18/2017*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ENGINE CRADLE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000....UPDATED 12/28/16 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS THAT THE FRAME OF OUR 2008 JEEP COMPASS IS SEVERELY CORRODED - MUCH MORE SEVERE THAN SHOULD BE FOR THE AMOUNT OF YEARS/MILES IT IS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD HOLES AND WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,700.

2008 JEEP COMPASS 115,000 MILES ROTTED SUBFRAME. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THANK YOU! WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND ARE NOT FIXING IT ON THE 2008. NOISE STARTED WHILE DRIVING ON 7/6/16. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CROSS MEMBERS OF THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE CROSS MEMBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN COATED PROPERLY DURING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

SUB FRAME ROT, SUB FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE ENGINE. LOCAL JEEP SERVICE CENTER SAID IT WAS IN NEED OF REPAIRS SOON. JEEP RECALLED THE 2007 COMPASS FOR JUST THIS ISSUE, THERE'S OBVIOUS DEFECT. OTHERS WITH 2008 COMPASS IS REPORTING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

MY COMPASS CREAKS AND RATTLES LOUDLY OVER BUMPS. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE SUBFRAMES WERE ROTTED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE SUBFRAMES, BUT ALSO REPLACEMENT OF THE CONTROL ARMS, LINKS, AS WELL AS THE NEED FOR AN ALIGNMENT.THIS CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN THE RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 COMPASS AND HAVE SEEN MANY INSTANCES FOR THE 2008 JEEP COMPASS ON SAFERCAR.GOV AND ELSEWHERE ON THE INTERNET. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ISSUE THAT PLAGUED THE 2007 MODEL YEAR IS THE SAME WITH THE 2008'S. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE 2008 JEEP COMPASS SUBFRAME IS THE SAME COMPONENT USED IN THE 2007 MODEL. IF YES, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD NOT HAVE ALSO RECALLED THE 2008 MODELS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS PARTIALLY ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

I HAD MY JEEP IN FOR IT'S YEARLY INSPECTION. DURING THE INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED MY CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD JUST HAD THEM REPLACED DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S INSPECTION. HE ALSO FOUND THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH. I CONTACTED THE DEALER (I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR JUST OVER TWO YEARS) AND WAS ONLY TOLD THERE IS NOT OPEN RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ENTIRELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, THE MAP LIGHTS BECOME FILLED WITH WATER AND LEAK. *TR