CarBrief

Owners of the 2016 Jeep Compass filed 293 complaints with NHTSA, and 160 of them name the engine[1][2]. The car has one recall for a sensor that can stall the engine, so check whether a used one has had the repair[3].

293owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
21–25MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 293 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Nine mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 15 mention injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

The engine group has the most complaints by a wide margin.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[2] 160 58,750
Electrical system[6] 62 57,000
Unknown or other[7] 47 62,252
Power train[8] 44 55,000
Speed control[9] 30 52,337

Two of the engine complaints mention a fire, and one mentions a crash[2]. The power train group has no crashes, fires or injuries[8].

We read a small sample of the complaint texts in each group. It is not a count of all owners. In the engine sample, owners describe the car stalling or losing power while driving[2]. Some of them connect it to the sensor recall covered below[2]. One engine complaint describes a fire in the engine compartment after the car was shut off[2].

In the power train sample, owners describe stalling or lost power, and some describe shifting that felt rough or slipping[8]. In the speed control sample, owners describe a car that stops responding to the gas pedal. Two of them say a throttle part was named as the cause[9]. In the electrical sample, owners describe stalling, and a few describe slow starting or trouble with the key[6].

The themes overlap. A stalling car can be filed under several groups, so the same kind of failure shows up in more than one count.

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists seven versions of the 2016 Compass. Combined mileage runs from 21 to 25 MPG[5][10].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
FWD, 2.4L, manual 5-spd[5] 23 / 28 / 25 $2,700
FWD, 2.0L, manual 5-spd[11] 23 / 30 / 25 $2,700
FWD, 2.0L, automatic (variable gear ratios)[12] 22 / 26 / 24 $2,800
4WD, 2.4L, manual 5-spd[13] 22 / 27 / 24 $2,800
FWD, 2.4L, automatic 6-spd[14] 21 / 27 / 23 $2,900
4WD, 2.4L, automatic 6-spd[15] 20 / 25 / 22 $3,050
4WD, 2.4L, automatic (variable gear ratios)[10] 20 / 23 / 21 $3,200

The EPA figures for annual cost use its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2WD version 3 stars for frontal crash and 4 stars for rollover[16]. Its rollover risk is 18.5%[16]. The 4WD version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 16.4%[17].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list gives these horsepower ratings for the 2016 Compass:

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[21].

FWD AWD
Length[22][21] 175 in 175 in
Width[22][21] 71 in 71 in
Height[22][21] 65 in 65 in
Wheelbase[22][21] 104 in 104 in
Curb weight[22][21] 3,097 lb 3,261 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2007: 435 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 172 complaints, 0 recalls2009: 64 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 81 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 188 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 184 complaints, 4 recalls2013: 80 complaints, 1 recalls20132014: 307 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 113 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 293 complaints, 1 recalls29320162017: 229 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 946 complaints, 6 recalls2019: 330 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 143 complaints, 1 recalls2021: 81 complaints, 0 recalls20212022: 225 complaints, 4 recalls2023: 49 complaints, 2 recalls20232024: 53 complaints, 0 recalls2025: 29 complaints, 0 recalls20252026: 5 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Compass model year. The 2016 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20074354
20081720
2009641
2010812
20111883
20121844
2013801
20143072
20151131
20162931
20172294
20189466
20193302
20201431
2021810
20222254
2023492
2024530
2025290
202651

NHTSA lists data for 20 Compass model years[4]. The 2016 model year has 293 complaints and 1 recall[4].

Four years have more complaints: 2018 has 946, 2007 has 435, 2019 has 330 and 2014 has 307[4]. That puts 2016 fifth highest. The neighboring years are lower, with 113 complaints for 2015 and 229 for 2017[4]. Ten model years list more recalls than 2016 does[4].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the ranking as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2016 Compass?

The clearest issue in our data is the engine, which has the most complaints, and owners in the sample we read describe stalling or lost power[2]. The one recall targets a sensor that can stall the engine, and the fix is free[3]. Before buying, ask a dealer to run the VIN and confirm the recall work was done. Some owners in the sample say a dealer told them their car was not in the recall, so a clean recall check does not rule out a problem[2]. Have a mechanic look at the car and test drive it long enough to notice any stalling or hesitation.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Compass?
Engine complaints lead with 160[2], out of 293 filed with NHTSA[1]. In the sample we read, owners describe stalling or lost power[1][2].
Does the 2016 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
Yes. Recall 16V907 covers a crankshaft or camshaft sensor that can stall the engine. Dealers replace the sensor connector for free[3].
What gas mileage does the 2016 Jeep Compass get?
EPA combined ratings run from 21 to 25 MPG, depending on engine, drive and transmission[5][10].
How safe is the 2016 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA rates it 3 stars for frontal crash and 4 stars for rollover in both 2WD and 4WD[16][17].
Is 2016 a bad year for the Jeep Compass?
It has the fifth highest complaint count of the 20 model years NHTSA lists, with 293[4]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 293 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Jeep Compass (9 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 15 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 160 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 16V907, filed December 16, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Compass model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Compass FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 62 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 47 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,252). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 44 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 30 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,337). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. EPA rating for Compass 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  11. EPA rating for Compass FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  12. EPA rating for Compass FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 26 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for Compass 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Compass FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Compass 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 2WD: frontal 3 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: frontal 3 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Jeep Compass with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 158 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Jeep Compass with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 172 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Jeep Compass with electric motor: rated 165 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMPASS 4DR SUV AWD: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,261 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMPASS 4DR SUV FWD: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,097 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.