Is the 2016 Jeep Compass a bad year?
294 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 160, 9.4× a quiet Compass year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Jeep Compass were filed between 45k and 75k miles. You're at 59,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 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 59,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 160 (54%) | 45k–75k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 63 (21%) | 42k–70k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 44 (15%) | 42k–77k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 30 (10%) | 40k–71k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 18 (6%) | 35k–71k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 15 (5%) | 26k–63k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 16 (5%) | 31k–57k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 9 (3%) | 18k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 13 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (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 59,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 294 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 19 say the car was towed.
24 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Sometimes when driving it stutters and acts like it can't catch up to the speed that I'm going.
While driving approximately 15 (Fifteen) miles on a city street, I noticed my car had consumed 1/3 of a full fuel tank.
While merging onto the 110s from the 10E, the engine turned itself off. I was going almost 60 mph.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 59,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Jeep Compass: 1
The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall. If the engine stalls, there is an increased 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: 90
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 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
Electronic Shifter Module (ESM) Special Notes below from previous Techtips; NOTE 1: If mismatch between shifter NIK and PRNDM occur…
Pentastar Oil Filter Adapter All vehicles equipped with a 3.2L or 3.6L engine; If replacing the Oil Filter Adapter…
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Electrical overstress
Neighbouring years
2015 Compass: 113 complaints, keep it · 2017 Compass: 229 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
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 2016 Jeep Compass a bad year?
294 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 160, 9.4× a quiet Compass year. At 59,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Jeep Compass were filed between 45k and 75k miles. You're at 59,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Compass?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (160), electrical system (63), transmission and drivetrain (44), speed control (30), fuel system (18). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 45k–75k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Compass have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 16V-907). 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.