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2013 Jeep Compass Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2013 Jeep Compass carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering pretensioner. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission overheating and failure.” 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.

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1 Open Recall

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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 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

CVT transmission overheating and failure

POWER TRAIN

22 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2023-07

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 3,200 AND A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER WHEN APPROACHING AN EXIT RAMP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11229057
“IN THE SUMMER OF 2016, THE CVT TRANSMISSION STARTED OVERHEATING. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. YOU WOULD HAVE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER AND SIT THERE FOR 20 MINUTES FOR THE CAR TO COOL DOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11109627
“DANGEROUSLY DROPPING INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT WARNING OR ABILITY TO OVERRIDE FOR SAFETY. EARLY FULL SYSTEM TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT NO OPTIONS FOR REPAIR. FINALLY DIED BY MAKING WHINING NOISE, GOING INTO LIMP MODE AND STAYING THERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11385343

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of drive power, electronic throttle fault

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2013-10 → 2019-10

“THERE IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS STARTED AS A MINOR ANNOYANCE AND NOW I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR. DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RED LIGHTENING LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AND I LOSE ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE MY CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10926564
“THIS MORNING AS I WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE 'ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL' LIGHT CAME ON AND CAUSED MY CAR TO STALL TWICE. THE HIGHEST SPEED I WAS ABLE TO GO WAS 30 MPH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11088975
“ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2013 JEEP COMPASS. 2 TIMES ALREADY(ONE ON THE HIGHWAY)WHERE I AM DRIVING AND THE LIGHT COMES ON CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND TRAVEL AT A MUCH SLOWER SPEED(MY SPEED DROPS). THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11232267

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag and seat belt recall repair parts unavailable

AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS

14 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2020-03

“I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH BENSONS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM IN GREER SC SINCE THE SPRING OF 2019 ABOUT RECALLS ON MY JEEP. FINALLY, MY DAD DECIDED TO JUST CALL CHRYSLER AND THEY SENT US TO THE BIG O WHICH IS IN GREENVILLE SC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11317254
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11011131
“I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION IN DECEMBER OF 2016 FOR A RECALL ON MY 2013 JEEP COMPASS INVOLVING SEAT BELTS AND AIRBAGS, YET THERE IS NO FIX TO THIS PROBLEM YET. AS THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10983945

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags failed to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2013-05 → 2016-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY A DUMP TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S GRANDSON SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10920511
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10735828
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES BEFORE ROLLING OVER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RECALL THE EXACT DETAILS OF THE CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10512363

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 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

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

Raw data + downloads for this 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)

11 crashes 1990–2024

How the 11 occupant deaths break down

8

driver deaths

3

passenger deaths

11

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2013 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

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

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

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

5

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 2013 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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