This page covers 3 recalls, 305 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Jeep Compass.
21–25 mpg combined
9.4–11.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 8 tested variants for this model year.
The 2014 Jeep Compass received an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. In frontal crash testing, it earned 3 stars. Side crash protection was rated at 5 stars, while the rollover test resulted in 4 stars. Side pole crash testing also achieved 5 stars. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a vehicle redesign occurs, so this rating covers the 2014 Compass.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2014 Jeep Compass draws complaints spread across several systems, but the engine and seat belts each top the list. On the engine side, owners frequently describe stalling while driving, sometimes accompanied by sudden loss of power steering and the RPM dropping to zero, requiring a wait before the vehicle can be restarted. Several owners note these stalls happen intermittently, making the issue harder to predict or reproduce. The seat belt complaints center on an unusual pattern: active-headrest deployment, where drivers and passengers report the front headrests deploying unexpectedly, sometimes just from bumping the seat, and in some cases partially separating and making contact with the occupant's neck. A smaller but notable cluster of complaints describes electrical gremlins, dashboard lights activating erratically while driving, sometimes preceding a no-start condition. A handful of owners also report vibration or instability from the front wheel or axle area.
305
Total Complaints
20
Crash-Related
7
Fire-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Jeep Compass has 3 recalls, the most serious involving 2.4L engines where debris in the balance shaft bearings can cause a sudden loss of oil pressure, leading to an engine stall or full engine failure while driving.
The restraint system also has a significant concern: the occupant restraint control module can short circuit, disabling the front and side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners all at once. In a crash that would normally trigger deployment, none of those systems would respond, leaving occupants without the protection the vehicle is designed to provide. On the lighting side, certain vehicles equipped with bi-function halogen projector headlamps may have had their daytime running lights incorrectly configured during assembly, meaning the lamps may not operate as required and could reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers in daylight conditions.
At a glance
What can fail
The Occupant Restraint Control module can short circuit, which prevents the front air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Occupant Restraint Control module at no cost to you.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings can cause loss of engine oil pressure, leading to engine stall or failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine balance shaft module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The daytime running lamp function in some bi-function halogen projector headlamps was incorrectly configured during assembly, causing the lamps to not illuminate during daylight hours and reducing vehicle visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Totally Integrated Power Module to correct the daytime running lamp configuration settings.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
