Is the 2014 Jeep Compass a bad year?
308 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 92, 5.4× a quiet Compass year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 34k–86k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 Compass owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 68,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 92 (30%) | 34k–86k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 91 (30%) | 22k–69k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 36 (12%) | 30k–86k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 35 (11%) | 61k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 35 (11%) | 49k–92k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Seats | 27 (9%) | 32k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 26 (8%) | 68k–88k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 19 (6%) | 40k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat beltsSTANDS OUT | 53 (17%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 20 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 14 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 68,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 308 complaints: 20 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
8 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2014 Jeep compass sputters and jerks, difficulty accelerating, the engine light randomly came on along with the electronic throttle light.
I was driving about 45 MPH on a country road, after a curve in the road, my Jeep"S traction control and check engine light came on as well as the electronic throttle control started flashing.
My Jeep compass want to stall when I press the gas! It has been doing it now for 2 days and it does not happen all the time but did almost cause me to wreck on a highway yesterday!
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 68,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Jeep Compass: 2
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.
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. If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Jeep: 85
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 Jeep Compass. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Gear Ratio DTC's, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect oil pump for relief valve failure
Diagnostic And System Improvements
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2013 Compass: 80 complaints, keep it · 2015 Compass: 113 complaints, keep it.
Every Jeep Compass year
2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Compass years side by side
Other Jeep models: Jeep Cherokee · Jeep Commander · Jeep Gladiator · Jeep Grand Cherokee · Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe · Jeep Grand Cherokee L · Jeep Grand Wagoneer · Jeep Laredo · Jeep Liberty · Jeep Patriot · Jeep Renegade · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2014 Jeep Compass a bad year?
308 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 92, 5.4× a quiet Compass year. At 68,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 34k–86k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Jeep Compass?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (92), air bags (91), electrical system (36), speed control (35), transmission and drivetrain (35). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 34k–86k miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 Jeep Compass have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 16V-668), Engine (NHTSA 13V-552). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.