2013 Jeep Compass Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 64,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

This vehicle before had the cvt transmission replaced as it was over heating/inoperable. Complete replacement. Flash forward not even a year I was driving and thr transmission made a noise and basically locked up causing the driver to hit curb at high rate of speed along the freeway. The vehicle again is disabled with a transmission…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 jeep compass. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v668000 (air bags) however, the part was unavailable. The contact stated that the [VIN] exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 7/11/18Owner complaint, filed 2016

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. The vehicle was towed to a nearby mechanic where it was deemed destroyed. The VIN and failure…Owner complaint, filed 2016

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

I bought this car from a dealership 3 months ago and it had 41,000 miles on it. I have since driven an additional 3,000. 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…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 44,700 miles

The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the…Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Passenger seat headrest ejected itself. Outside of the car was getting a handwash and suddenly the headrest just shot open. Now nobody is able to sit in passenger seat safely. Unsure how this could happen as car was operating just fine prior.Owner complaint, filed 2024

The contact owns a 2013 jeep compass. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger seat belt retractors were fractured. In addition, the front buckle assembly and the anchorage did not hold the belts in place. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The [VIN] was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 50,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 100,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

Catalytic converter problem Warning engine light keeps coming on. This has happened over several years. It now comes on everyday. It is now in shop to be fixed and code shows front converter is bad which includes the manifold.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Purchased 2013 jeep compass with 109,000 miles. Noticed it burned oil bad. Replaced spark plugs, changed oil to synthetic as recommend and filter. Continued to have excessive oil burn. 3 bottles every 2 weeks. Was driving it and heard a loud noise and something didnt feel right., she pulled over as oil light came on. Now oil was checked…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 111,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

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. If this is a recall, jeep, please look into this before this defect kills someone.…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 2 miles

When making a left turn the traction control light sensor flashes and power is lost to the axles. This happens for at least ten seconds. The car is going less than 20 MPH on dry road conditions. This has happened on two different occasions. I took it to the dealer and they said there was no issue. After I took it to the dealer it…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 41,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 79,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

Takata recall- I was driving down the interstate at about 65 miles per hour and noticed that my jeep started to slow down even though I was pressing the gas pedal. I was able to get off the interstate and onto an exit ramp but once I reached the top of the exit ramp my jeep would not go any further. I then turned the engine off & when I…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 109,000 miles

I was driving my vehicle at the speed limit (60-65 on freeway) the tachometer soared to about 3500and the vehicle made a noise. It lost all power and I had no control. I almost hit another motorist trying to get off the freeway. When I turned left or tried to at the top of the exit the vehicle wouldn't move that's when the transmission…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 110,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 jeep compass. The contact stated that their vehicle [VIN] and began to smoke. The contact then pulled over and placed the vehicle in park. The hood was opened and and excessive flames were visible. The fire grew larger from out of the hood. The contact's friend came out side and extinguished the fire with their…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 74,000 miles

Fuel emissions system. Repeated check engine light warning indications have been seen in this vehicle over the past year. Repeated trips to the dealership for service resulted in components being replaced erroneously. Most recent [VIN] required entire [VIN] of fuel tank and hoses due to excessive corrosion and deformation of the tank.…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 65,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

I had my jeep in for regular service & it was discovered to have a rusted subframe. It was suggested to take it to the dealer. I made the appointment. It was evaluated & determined that my VIN was not included in the extended warranty, even though it is the same issue with [VIN] rusting. I contacted jeep customer care on two occasions…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 74,000 miles

Hello, 3/4/2015 my brother bought a 2013 jeep compass on his birthday of the same year. Over the last few (4-6) months, we have cut our fingers, repeatedly on the chrome covering the doors handles. We are not talking paper cuts nor are we describing emergency room visits, we are describing a very deep and open slice, mostly to the nerves…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 35,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 jeep compass. While driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized and extra force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact also stated that the transmission felt like it downshifted while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the outer tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 110,000 miles

I bought this jeep june 25th 2015. I have had it in the shop 3 times, and I continue to have the same problem. The problem is with the traction control system. Repairs have been done to the traction control system even before I bought the vehicle. The car fax shows where it had been in the shop to have the struts were replaced back on…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 34,400 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

I started having problems in 09/11/2015 with my rear right control arm the rubber bushing gave out and the control arm was squeaking very loudly, I complained to the dealer and they gave me a goodwill service charge of $100 but after I asked if the control arm on the left also went bad would they also honor the goodwill they told me that…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 38,000 miles

I bought this jeep june 25th 2015. I have had it in the shop 3 times, and I continue to have the same problem. The problem is with the traction control system. Repairs have been done to the traction control system even before I bought the vehicle. The car fax shows where it had been in the shop to have the struts were replaced back on…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 34,400 miles

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 jeep compass. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, there was a short between the wires within the driver's side exterior power mirror which caused a fire and the mirror motor melted. The flames were extinguished by the fire department. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2013

During commute on tues 6/21 vehicle began to experience deaccelaration; following day vehicle seemed to resume working; by fri. 6/24 vehicle began to display the same performance issueOwner complaint, filed 2016, at 53,000 miles