Is the 2019 Jeep Compass a bad year?
333 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 166, 9.8× a quiet Compass year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 2k–43k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 3 of 166 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 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 12,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 166 (50%) | 2k–43k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 145 (44%) | 2k–44k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 39 (12%) | 5k–32k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 37 (11%) | 7k–42k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 19 (6%) | 6k–38k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 15 (5%) | 3k–22k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 11 (3%) | 8k–24k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 8 (2%) | 3k–24k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (3%) | 0k–7k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (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 12,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 333 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
42 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
On three different occasions, while driving on a major road, the vehicle engine just stopped. At the instant the engine stopped, engine caution lights illuminated saying the coolant had overheated and allow the engine to cool.
Update to my previous complaint: I leased this car on january 12, 2019. It is brand new. The car was having trouble starting again today and yesterday.
I bought my Jeep march 2019 and have never had an issue. Then a few months later the radio starts pressing buttons by itself.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 12,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Jeep Compass: 2
The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions. Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance. A reduction of braking performance can 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: 195
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Jeep Compass. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
948TE Transmission Reaction Shaft Service Bushing Kit Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination
No Start, Start Stop Inoperative, Cluster Message Service Start Stop System
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
False overheat leading to loss of motive power
Neighbouring years
2018 Compass: 948 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2020 Compass: 143 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 2019 Jeep Compass a bad year?
333 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 166, 9.8× a quiet Compass year. At 12,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 2k–43k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 3 of 166 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Jeep Compass?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (166), electrical system (145), brakes (39), transmission and drivetrain (37), steering (19). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 2k–43k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Jeep Compass have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 20V-208), Brakes (NHTSA 18V-523). 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.