Is the 2016 Jeep COMPASS reliable?

The 2016 Jeep COMPASS has 446 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Jeep COMPASS?

Top problems: ENGINE (156 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (59 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (47 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Jeep COMPASS?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Contact any Jeep dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Jeep COMPASS?

The 2016 Jeep COMPASS gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Jeep COMPASS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Jeep COMPASS is approximately $1,617/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Jeep COMPASS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Jeep COMPASS has 446 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 261. The most common issue is engine problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: on december 9, 2016 i rented a jeep compass and on that day i had a roll over accident. i was driving in the country. very low traffic area. before applying the brake, i was driving at a safe speed for the road conditions - fifteen to twenty mph on fresh snow and some packed snow over a paved roa. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 4 crash reports 8 injuries

446

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

156 complaints

35%

• ON DECEMBER 9, 2016 I RENTED A JEEP COMPASS AND ON THAT DAY I HAD A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY. VERY LOW TRAFFIC AREA. BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKE, I WAS DRIVING AT A SAFE SPEED FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS - FIFTEEN TO TWENTY MPH ON FRESH SNOW AND SOME PACKED SNOW OVER A PAVED ROA
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMS
• MY 2016 JEEP COMPASS HAS STALLED OUT TWICE WITHIN APPROXIMATELY A 7-WEEK PERIOD. ONCE IN A PARKING LOT (2/8/2017) AND TODAY (3/29/2017) A STALL-OUT OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC. TODAY, I WAS STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN. TRAFFIC WAS BACKED-UP, SO WHEN IT BEGAN TO MOVE, I MOVED MY FOOT FR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“ON DECEMBER 9, 2016 I RENTED A JEEP COMPASS AND ON THAT DAY I HAD A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY. VERY LOW TRAFFIC AREA. BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKE, I WAS DRIVING AT A SAFE SPEED FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS - FIFTEEN TO TWENTY MPH ON FRESH SNOW AND SOME PACKED SNOW OVER A PAVED ROA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Jeep COMPASS

Based on 268 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 55K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

107

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 33K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Reported earliermedian 17K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 25K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 58K mi · 104 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE16/12/2016

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.

Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Jeep COMPASS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Jeep COMPASS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,617

Full coverage / month

$135

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1617

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Jeep COMPASS Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

20K mi

4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2016 COMPASS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 446 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: ON DECEMBER 9, 2016 I RENTED A JEEP COMPASS AND ON THAT DAY I HAD A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY. VERY LOW TRAFFIC AREA. BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKE, I WAS DRIVING AT A SAFE SPEED FOR THE ROAD CONDITIONS - FIFTEEN TO TWENTY MPH ON FRESH SNOW AND SOME PACKED SNOW OVER A PAVED ROA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHEN IT IS RAINING OR WHEN THE SNOW ON MY JEEP BEGINS TO MELT, THE SUNROOF LEAKS. THE SUNROOF CONTROLLS AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS (WHICH IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE SUNROOF) FILLS UP WITH WATER AND LEAK ALL OVER; ON THE DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, DASHBOARD, ETC. CREATING A DISTRACTION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL DRIVE TO A STORE, WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING LOT INTO MOVING TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY SLUGGISHLY, LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN TOP GEAR OR THE ENGINE WASN'T ABLE TO BE REV'ED UP. PUSHING ACCELERATOR TO FLOOR CAUSED ENGINE TO REV UP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)