2009 Jeep Compass

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

72/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Jeep Compass, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Suspension	13	20%
Structure	9	14%
Unknown or other	6	9%
Power train	6	9%
Suspension	3	5%
Air bags	2	3%
Suspension	2	3%
Fuel/propulsion system	2	3%
Electrical system	2	3%
Engine	2	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact initially became aware that the rear passenger’s side tire was resting at an angle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the rear struts replac
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

Jeep extended the warranty for the front and rear body subframes. I had my vehicle inspected at the onset of the warranty. I again had an inspection done at my local dealer on 4/15/2022. Since that date the vehicle has
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other

front and rearsubframe extremely rusted, making it dangerous to drive. fuse box under front hood in front of driver side rusting out wiring. Not main fuse box but the one with relays.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard with several warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would overheat with the temp
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

I was informed about my rotting subframe on my 2009 Jeep Compass about a year ago. I took it to a Jeep dealer for a second opinion as well as contacted Jeep. I was told about some extended warranty that I was not eligi
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

FRONT KFRAME/SUBFRAME CROSS MEMBER RUSTED INTO. FRONT OF LF LOWER CONTROL ARM PULLED OUT OF SUBRAME BECAUSE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED INTO AT THAT SPOT. ALSO BACK SEEM FROM LEFT SIDE ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT SIDE HAS ABOUT A 1 IN
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT CHRYSLER VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE ENGINE CUT DOWN TO 30 MPH AND INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL AND "RED LIGHTNING BOLT" (ETC ELECTRONI
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY FERRARIO AUTO TEAM OF SAYRE (102 SPRING ST, SAYRE, PA 18840, (570) 888-2367) THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT CROSS MEMBER BAR WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE R
NHTSA complaint: Structure

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 Jeep Compass. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 08V528000

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.

Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	78	good
Longevity est.	76	good
Maintenance	80	excellent
Depreciation	75	good
Performance	59	average
Efficiency	46	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 57% of SUVs
Longevity: better than 60% of SUVs
Running costs: better than 72% of SUVs
Value retention: better than 83% of SUVs

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 78: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 76: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2009 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 80: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2009 Jeep Compass?

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 13 of them (20%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2009 Jeep Compass reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 2009 Jeep Compass last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2009 Jeep Compass?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.