2014 Jeep Compass.
The 2014 Jeep Compass is worse than average by owner complaints: 132 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 197, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 21 to 25 mpg combined. The best Jeep Compass year is 2013.

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 307 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Compass year. 2014 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 29K to 85K miles on the car (190 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 32K–86K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 17K–69K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 28K–88K miles
Recalls 2
- 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.
- engine 2013
Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure.
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 153 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Pentastar Oil Filter Adapter: Before replacing this part, please call any one of the following…
- Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect…
- Customer complaint may include engine oil leak/consumption
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
Safety recall not completed in timely manner. Manufacturer recall numbers61 NHTSA recall number16v-668
2014 Jeep Compass owner · NHTSA complaint 10979406
More owner reports
Deer ran into passenger front side of car. Car caught on fire. Air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA complaint 10658785
Recall issued 9/16/16. No fix for the problem. Since there is an increased risk of injury during a crash, the amount of time that has passed and still no corrective action to resolve is unacceptable.
NHTSA complaint 11010973
Quick answers
Is the 2014 Jeep Compass reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 197; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Compass year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2014 Jeep Compass problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (50%), seat belts (34%) and engine (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 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 2014 Jeep Compass get?
21 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2014 Jeep Compass safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 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 2014 Jeep Compass problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 29,200 and 85,000 miles. The middle report was at 57,600 miles, from 190 complaints.
Does the 2014 Jeep Compass have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2014 Jeep Compass cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 Jeep Compass have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Jeep Compass year is better than the 2014?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2015 and 2021.
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