The Lemon Index
20082011Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,894 in the U.S. in 2010 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 6 complaints in its first 3 years.
6 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Kia Soul 1042010 Jeep Patriot 352010 GMC Terrain 75
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2010 Jeep Compass
- Rust / frame corrosion9 complaintsmostly at 80,000–105,000 miles (129,000–169,000 km)
- Engine stalling8 complaintsmostly at 80,000–94,000 miles (129,000–151,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Jeep Compass (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V668000 (seat belts) and 13V233000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced? (14 owners named a suspension repair bill; the middle one was $900.)
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Jeep's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 6 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every Jeep Compass year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Jeep Compass (2008–2012) name most: P0339 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent · P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit · P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 41K miles (6K to 66K km) on the car (6 of all 6 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Jeep Compass 2010 back seat seatbelts are very loose and do not lock. When installing a car seat there is no way to make it stable or safe that I can find due to the seat belts not staying tight. Very concerned.
2010 Jeep Compass owner · NHTSA complaint 10455633
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2007–2016 Jeep Compass, in U.S. dollars.
- Suspensionone repair bill$550–$984middle $900 · 14 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10325590, 10354178, 10410147
- Electricalone repair bill$600–$2,000middle $1,000 · 13 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10915923, 10538396, 10463437
- Steeringone repair bill$507–$1,100middle $825 · 12 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10408607, 10556227, 10354971
- Engineone repair bill$825–$1,900middle $1,000 · 10 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10633461, 11279660, 11720427
- Transmissionone repair bill$3,300–$6,500middle $3,800 · 5 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11457415, 11203894, 11179782
Not enough reports yet for a number: Fuel system (3), 4x4 & axles (2), Airbags (2), Brakes (2), Cooling (1), Exhaust & emissions (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 11.4M views · 2007–2016 Jeep Compass
Prices people quote
- Price when new$20,00011 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Steering & suspension580K views
How to Replace Rear Wheel Bearing 2007-17 Jeep CompassTRQ · 118K views · 9 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank445K views
How to Install Fuel Pump E7218M in a 2007 - 2014 Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass, Dodge CaliberAirtex-ASC Performance Pumps · 280K views · 3 videos - Cooling system396K views
How to Replace Thermostat Housing 2007-2017 Jeep CompassTRQ · 219K views · 4 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition343K views
Jeep Compass No Start Fix (P0688) 2007 thru 2017Git It Garage · 199K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Brakes & ABS322K views
How To Replace Front Brake Pads & Rotor 2007-2017 Jeep CompassTRQ · 96K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door316K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2012 Jeep Compass | AQ1126Filterheads · 112K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical285K views
2007-2008 Jeep Compass radio removal and replacementMotorCity Mechanic · 107K views · 5 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring272K views
HOW TO: Reset CHAnGE OIL light on 2014 Jeep CompassHYENA art magazine · 176K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Jeep Compass SUV 1st Generation 2007-20171A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 437K views
2007-2016 Jeep Compass Problems, Pros and Cons. Should you buy it?MaxTheCarGuy · 32K views
Jeep Compass - TOP PROBLEMS & ISSUES 2007 - 2017 (common fixes, repairs, defects)QuiteAlright · 21K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2010 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 2
- Seat belts · recall issued 2016
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2013
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,550–$2,900 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Jeep Compass year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2009–2009, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 17 Jeep Compass years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/jeep-compass/?y=2010" title="Jeep Compass reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="606" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/jeep-compass/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Jeep Compass reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Jeep Compass reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,894 were sold in the U.S. in 2010 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2010 Jeep Compass problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seat belts (17%), electrical (17%) and brakes (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Jeep Compass have?
2 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Jeep Compass get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Jeep Compass have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 Jeep Compass cost in fuel a year?
About $2,550 to $2,900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Jeep Compass have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Jeep Compass year is better than the 2010?
Nearby, the 2013 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works