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2011 Jeep Compass Body & Structure Problems

15 owner-reported body & structure complaints from NHTSA data

15
Complaints
1
Crashes
Jan 2016Dec 2018
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (15)

highSTRUCTURE
Filed: Aug 2025

Your vehicle's front subframe severely corroded and failed while driving over a railroad track at low speed, causing sudden deceleration and steering difficulty. The damage was severe enough that the engine and transmission shifted downward in the engine bay. The dealer replaced the subframe and front lower control arms to repair it. More recently, you've been told the rear subframe is also corroded, though it hasn't been repaired yet.

NHTSA #: 11679034
highSTRUCTURE
Filed: Jun 2023

Your Jeep Compass's sub frame has been identified as damaged or defective. This appears to be a recurring problem affecting multiple Jeep Compass vehicles. Repairing or replacing the sub frame will be necessary to restore structural integrity.

NHTSA #: 11529457
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle rear end swerved to the right while driving straight. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact regained control and stopped the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear underside was severely rusted; causing the rear suspension to separate from the under body. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA #: 11477617
mediumSTRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Apr 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER CONTINUED DRIVING WITHOUT FURTHER ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR K-FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 11406498
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Feb 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STATE INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED HER THAT THAT THE SUB PANELS ON THE VEHICLE WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA #: 11395840
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Nov 2020

EXTREMELY RUSTED AND CORRODED CROSSMEMEBER AND SUBFRAME RENDERING IT DANGEROUS OF FALLING APART ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION FROM THE STREETS TO THE EXPRESSWAY. SEEMS TO BE CORRODING AND RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

NHTSA #: 11373974
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Sep 2020

I BROUGHT IN MY 2011 JEEP COMPASS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND A SIMPLE REPAIR. MY MECHANIC CALLED WITH WHAT I BELIEVED WAS THE CALL THAT MY VEHICLE WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. TO MY SURPRISE, HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR ISSUE. HE STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE, EVEN THE MILE BACK TO MY HOUSE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THEY ADVISED ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THERE (APPROX. 1/2 MILE AWAY) AND LEAVE FOR REPAIR. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE FRAME WAS PLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE ISSUE AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY APPROX. $500-$1,000.00 FOR 'OTHER PARTS' AND AN ALIGNMENT WHEN REPLACING THE FRAME THAT WERE NOT PART OF THE WARRANTY. QUITE FRANKLY THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT SHOULD COST ME NO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR A FAILED PART, ESPECIALLY A FRAME ON A LESS THAN 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I AM INCREDIBLY THANKFUL THAT I BROUGHT IT IN PRIOR TO GIVING IT TO MY 17 YEAR OLD. VERY DANGEROUS! JEEP SHOULD COVER THE WHOLE COST! IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD THE PART ISN'T AVAILABLE FOR AT LEAST 4-6 WEEKS!

NHTSA #: 11354528
mediumSTRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2020

I GOT A RECALL FOR A RUSTED SUB FRAME, FRONT AND BACK IN WHICH ONE HAS A HOLE FROM RUST. I TAKE IT TO COURTESYS IN ALTOONA, PA. THE GUY EARNIE TELLSME THERE WILL BE PARTS SURROUNDING THE SUBFRAME NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL THAT MUST BE PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. I THINK EVERYTHING TO FIX MY CAR SHOULD BE COVERED. THEY SAW A WOMAN COMING! PISSES ME OFF TO NO END.

NHTSA #: 11344269
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Nov 2019

2011 JEEP COMPASS 4WD. HAD SHAKING IN STEERING WHEEL AND A WHEEL WOBBLE. EVEN AT DRIVING 40MPH OR LOWER. MECHANIC SAID THE CRADLE/CROSSMEMBER WAS RUSTED OUT. AT 8 YEARS OLD, THE ENGINE CRADLE SHOULD NOT BE RUSTED OUT. HUGE SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA #: 11282298
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Aug 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE RATTLED AND THE STEERING SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND ROTTED OUT. THE CONTACT CALLED TRI-CITY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT 800-491-6295 (LOCATED AT 189 RTE 108, SOMERSWORTH, NH 03878) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA #: 11245019
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Dec 2018

TRIED TO GET INSPECTED AND REFUSED DEALER SAID SUBFRAME IS RUSTED AND REAR-CROSSMEMBER RUSTED , DEALER SMAIL SAID. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY !! SO MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD MY JERP FRAME BE RUSTED WHEN IT'S A 2011 !!

NHTSA #: 11161795
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Jan 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STATE INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA #: 10821776
mediumSTRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CrashFiled: Sep 2015

I STARTED UP MY VEHICLE AND THE ETC LIGHT CAME ON, LET ME REMIND YOU THAT IT'S BEEN GOING ON AND OFF EVERY DAY, WELL, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND AS SOON AS I LET OFF THE BRAKE, MY CAR ACCELERATED TO 4 RPM'S AND I HIT THE BACK END OF A FAMILY FRIEND WHO WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY. I HAD THE BODY/MECHANIC SHOP TAKE A LOOK AT IT WHILE REPAIRING THE BODY, AND THEY HAD NO FOR SURE ANSWER. I HAVE HAD 5 DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND HAD MY CODES RAN MORE THAN ONCE. IT'S RIDICULOUS. THE ETC LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. IT'S ALL A MATTER WHICH DAY ITS GOING TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND WHICH DAY ITS GOING TO LOSE POWER. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER MULTIPLY TIMES. MY ARGUMENT IS THE FACT THAT IT ISN'T SOMETHING THAT I HAVE DONE TO THE CAR. WHAT IF SOMETHING WAS TO HAPPEN AND IT CAME ON WHEN I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SOMEBODY IS WALKING ACROSS THE ROAD AND MY CAR ACCELERATES. THAT FAMILY IS GOING TO SUE ME AND MY INSURANCE AND MY INSURANCE IS GOING TO SUE CHRYSLER. IT'S SO PATHETIC, IT COSTS ALMOST $100 JUST FOR THEM TO TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG. THEN, LORD KNOWS HOW MUCH IT WILL TAKE TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT ALMOST $500 TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM OURSELVES AND THAT OBVIOUSLY ISN'T WORKING. I HOPE THAT THEY'RE ARE OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM SO WE CAN GET IT FIXED WHICH IT WHAT SHOULD'VE BEEN DONE A LONG TIME AGO. THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND NONE OF WHICH HAVE FOUND A FIX TO THE PROBLEM. MY CAR NOW HAS 114,000 MILES ON IT AND I STILL HAVE 4 YEARS LEFT TO PAY ON IT. AND QUITE FRANKLY, DUE TO THIS ISSUE I WILL PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER JEEP AGAIN, CHRYSLER AS A MATER OF FACT. I HOPE NOBODY HAS GOTTEN HURT THOUGH! THANKS! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JB *TR

NHTSA #: 10761551
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Aug 2013

THE EXHAUST HANGER ALLOWED THE EXHAUST TO SHIFT UP INTO THE BUMPER CAUSING THE REAR BUMPER TO MELT. I JUST NOTICED IT HAS GONE UP UNDER THE TAILGATE TOO, CAUSING IT TO NOT SHUT COMPLETELY. WHEN I AM DRIVING IT I CAN SMELL EXHAUST COMING INTO THE CAR. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL JEEP DEALERS AROUND OUR AREA AND AM TOLD THERE IS "NO RECALL" AND SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP. I CANT DRIVE THE CAR BUT HAVE TO KEEP PAYING THE PAYMENTS - I CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THAT AND I CANT SELL OR TRADE WITH IT IN THIS CONDITION....PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT OTHER OPTIONS I HAVE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10534777
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Oct 2012

AS I WAS PUTTING ITEMS IN THE REAR OF MY COMPASS THE REAR HATCH FELL ON MY BACK. I SAW IT START TO COME DOWN AND CAUGHT IT WITH MY ARM AND TRIED TO LIFT IT OFF OF ME, BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ORDERED AND RECEIVED THE PARTS ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, HOWEVER JEEP IS WAITING FOR MORE INFORMATION TO REPLACE THE HATCH STRUTS, AS I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE JANUARY WITH THE REAR HATCH RUBBING THE PAINT OFF OF THE BUMPER AS WELL. IF I WOULD NOT OF SEEN THIS COME DOWN ON TOP OF ME AND WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT HIT MY BACK, IT COULD OF SERIOUSLY INJURED ME. OR IF A SMALL CHILD WOULD OF BEEN LIFTING IT, AND IT FELL ON THEM, IT WOULD OF CRUSHED THEM AS THE REAR HATCH IS VERY HEAVY WITH BAD STRUTS. THERE IS NO REASON THESE STRUTS SHOULD OF FAILED AS THE CAR IS ONLY 15 MONTHS OLD AND 10400 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10478196

Other 2011 Jeep Compass Issues