The Lemon Index2013 Jeep Compass.
The 2013 Jeep Compass is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 26 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 40, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 1 recall, and it gets 21 to 25 mpg combined. It's the best Jeep Compass year we track.
One of the most reliable. 2.5× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2018
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 80 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Compass year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 89K miles on the car (56 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 29K–101K miles
Recalls 1
- seat belts 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 134 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Flash: MIL Illumination P050B and/or Rattle/Clatter Sound on Cold Start-up This bulletin…
- Hands Free Feature Inoperative This bulletin involves updating the Hands Free Module (HFM)…
- Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Compass SUV 4WD | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Jeep Compass SUV 2WD | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The potential loss of air bag and seat belt pretensioner deployment capability during a crash may increase the risk of injury in a crash.
2013 Jeep Compass owner · NHTSA complaint 10923740
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Jeep Compass reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2013 Jeep Compass problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (31%), airbags (27%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Jeep Compass have?
1 safety recall (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 2013 Jeep Compass get?
21 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Jeep Compass safe?
NHTSA gave it 3 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Jeep Compass problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 89,000 miles. The middle report was at 51,500 miles, from 56 complaints.
Does the 2013 Jeep Compass have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 31% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Jeep Compass cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Jeep Compass have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Lemon Index = safety 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 year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works