Reliable Auto DB

2016 Jeep Compass reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Compass over 11 years — 18 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Compass years here — over the median of the other years, which is 16. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Engine.

2012 Jeep Compass
Photo by Navigator84, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

293

Per year

18

Recalls

1

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (135 of 293), then Electrical system (62) and Powertrain (44). Those filings include 9 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 11 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Compass has 113 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2017 has 229 complaints, 32 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Jeep Compass. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Engine 2016-12-16 · NHTSA campaign 16V907000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.

Complaints by component (293 total)

Engine
135
Electrical system
62
Powertrain
44
Speed control
30
Engine and engine cooling
26
Fuel and propulsion system
16
Steering
16
Electronic stability control (ESC)
15
Air bags
13
Seat belts
12
Seats
10
Service brakes
9
Structure
8
Suspension
6
Visibility and wipers
5
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Traction control
2
Wheels
2
Exterior lighting
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Show 12 more Show less
Crash-flagged

9

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

11

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

62016152017322018562019492020182021352022232023212024152025232026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-08-31
  • "Component: Engine / Electrical System / Power Train VIN [XXX] Description of Safety Defect: The vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of engine power and completely shut off while traveling at highway speeds.…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-08-16
  • "Spontaneous deployment of passengers headrest . A safety system defect causing passengers concerned discomfort ! Plastic mechanism failure CANNOT be repaired. Headrest must be replaced by Jeep covered regarding the…"
    Seats · filed 2026-08-12
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate, shuddered, and the air conditioner was…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-07-31
  • "Since purchasing this vehicle in 2022 the crankshaft position sensor has been replaced 4 times (twice by the dealer in 2022, once in 2023 and once in 2024) and now it is dying while driving once again with the check…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-21

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Jeep Compass SUV 2WD Not rated 3 stars Not rated 4 stars
2016 Jeep Compass SUV 4WD Not rated 3 stars Not rated 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Compass four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Four-wheel drive 22 27 24 MPG $2700
Compass four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 20 25 22 MPG $2950
Compass four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Four-wheel drive 20 23 21 MPG $3100
Compass front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 21 27 23 MPG $2800
Compass front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 28 25 MPG $2600
Compass front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-wheel drive 22 26 24 MPG $2700
Compass front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 30 25 MPG $2600

Specs and fitment

MK49 (US), 2012–2016
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 (2.0L and 2.4L) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 215/65R17 (typical)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 16V668000. 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. 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. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Jeep Compass Next year 2017 Jeep Compass See every Jeep Compass model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass reliable?

Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Compass over 11 years — 18 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Compass years here — over the median of the other years, which is 16. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Engine.

What are common problems with a 2016 Jeep Compass?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (135 of 293), then Electrical system (62) and Powertrain (44). Those filings include 9 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 11 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Compass has 113 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2017 has 229 complaints, 32 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Jeep Compass been recalled?

The 2016 Jeep Compass has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Jeep Compass?

Owners have filed 293 complaints about the 2016 Jeep Compass with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Jeep Compass get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Jeep Compass is 23.4 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Compass take?

5W-20 (2.0L and 2.4L)

What does NHTSA recall 16V-668 cover on the Jeep Compass?

NHTSA campaign 16V668000.

What generation is the 2013 Jeep Compass?

MK49 (US) (2012-2016).