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2011 Jeep Compass Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Jeep Compass carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering pretensioner and column. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Subframe and crossmember corrosion.” Jeep vehicles use the Oil Change Indicator system to signal when oil is due. Wrangler and Gladiator owners who actually use 4WD off-road should treat the schedule below as Schedule A (severe) — water crossings, sand, and rock crawling demand differential and transfer case service at half the published intervals. Grand Cherokee and Cherokee follow the standard Mopar schedule.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Campaign #16V668000 · Sep 15, 2016

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

STEERING:COLUMN

Campaign #11V315000 · Aug 6, 2011

Issue: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Risk: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Campaign #13V233000 · Apr 6, 2013

Issue: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.

Risk: In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Jeep Compass.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Subframe and crossmember corrosion

STRUCTURE

34 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2025-08

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11373974
“The suspension has completed rusted through. My mechanic can stick his arm all of the way through. There was a recall on other VINs but not mine so far. There needs to be one since I wasn't told about this safety problem until my mechanic went to replace other parts. I was never”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11516115
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10821776

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission power loss and limp mode

POWER TRAIN

37 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2026-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10762867
“VEHICLE STOPS MOVING RANDOMLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND MUST BE RESTARTED TO GET IT TO MOVE. WILL BARELY ACCELERATE AND RPMS ARE EXTREMELY HIGH ST LOW SPEEDS. VEHICLE SURGES AND WON'T ACCELERATE. HORRIBLE WHINING NOISES. VEHICLE STALLS, OR WON'T MOVE WHEN TRYING TO ASCEND UP HILL OR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11278341
“THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN AND CAUSES THE CAR TO LOSE POWER AND OR STALL. THIS HAPPENS ON ANY TYPE OF DRIVING SCENARIO HIGHWAY, RESIDENTIAL OR STATIONARY. I WILL TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON MY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10807931

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall while driving, often after refueling

ENGINE

16 NHTSA complaints · 2011-07 → 2024-11

“SEVERAL TIMES AFTER FILLING UP MY 2011 JEEP COMPASS WITH GAS, I TURN THE CAR ON AND DRIVE OFF. IN MINUTES THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND CAR STALLS. CAR IS GETTING POWER, ALL COMPONENTS ARE STILL WORKING (LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC.). I TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART AND IT SPUTTERS AND FINALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11296669
“FILLED THE 2011 JEEP COMPASS WITH GAS AND PULLED OUT OF GAS STATION. TWO SECONDS LATER MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I MANAGED TO GET IT PARTIALLY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BY LETTING IT ROLL AND BRAKE, BUT CARS BEHIND ME WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11098051
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10422454

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall repair parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2015-04 → 2017-09

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10959739
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935513
“JEEP DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA BEACH, TRIED TO INSTALL RECALL SOFTWARE, HOWEVER WOULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO PAY FOR A NEW OCR MODULE (400.00) SINCE MY JEEP WILL NOT LET THE INSTALL OF THE RECALLED SOFTWARE BE INSTALLED. I'VE CALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10704786

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system failures affecting lights, horn, and TIPM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2025-04

“The vehicle shuts off while driving at any speed. Steering locks and will not allow driver to pull over to safety”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11657619
“HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL ISSUES, HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING, INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK AND THEN DONT, DASHBOARD LIGHTS WORK AND THEN DONT. HAD ENGINE LIGHT COME ON BUT WHEN I TIGHTENED GAS CAP IT WENT OFF. STARING HAVING REALLY HARD TIME UPON ACCELERATION, FELT LIKE THE ENGING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11180219
“TIPM WENT BAD AND HAD TO REPLACE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10822292

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 8,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: SAE 0W-20 every 8,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: SAE 5W-20 every 8,000 miles. EcoDiesel 3.0L: 10,000 miles. 4xe plug-in hybrid: 8,000 miles or annually.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate tires every 8,000 miles. Wrangler with 33+ inch off-road tires: rotate every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear from solid axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 8,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 8,000 miles. Wrangler and Gladiator pads wear faster than Grand Cherokee due to higher curb weight per axle.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace front differential fluid every 60,000 miles. Wrangler off-road use (water crossings, sand): inspect every 30,000 miles for water contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Rear axle fluid every 60,000 miles. Limited-slip differentials require Mopar friction modifier. Wrangler Rubicon with locking differentials: same schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 60,000 mi

Replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 for NV3500 and NV245. Wrangler Rock-Trac: 60,000 mi normal, 30,000 mi with regular off-road use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage. Wrangler off-road use accelerates moisture intake — annual fluid testing recommended.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ZF 8HP)

Every 60,000 mi

Severe service: ZF 8HP fluid every 60,000 miles. Normal: 120,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 — never substitute.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Wrangler driven in dust or sand: inspect at every oil change and replace early.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: 16 spark plugs total, replace at 100,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: 16 plugs at 100,000 miles. EcoDiesel: glow plug inspection only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Mopar HOAT Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Mopar HOAT (purple) for gas engines: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolants.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Compass: behind the glove box. Wrangler/Gladiator: optional cabin filter on later models only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

20 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Jeep Compass reflects Jeep's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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