2021 Jeep COMPASS
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Jeep COMPASS has 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 261. The most common issue is electrical problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: it’s happened 3 times now. i’ll be driving and everything is fine, and suddenly an error will pop up on the dash that will read “coolant temp too high” and the entire car will power down while driving. it’s almost caused me to wreck all 3 times. the coolant had been at a normal temperature all 3 tim. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
131
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
0.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
31 complaints- • It’s happened 3 times now. I’ll be driving and everything is fine, and suddenly an error will pop up on the dash that will read “coolant temp too high” and the entire car will power down while driving. It’s almost caused me to wreck all 3 times. The coolant had been at a normal temperature all 3 tim
- • The Jeep's engine decided to shut off at a red light. This jeep has the automatic shutoff for the engine when idling too long. I could not restart the engine. I blocked 2 lanes of traffic, and was unable to push the vehicle out of the way. I Tried restarting the engine several times. The accessories
- • When the vehicle is in fuel economy it turns off completely and I have to change the transmission to park to turn it back on. This happens when I stop at a light, at a stop, or just stop to wait for someone to cross the street. Both the dealer and the manufacturer are aware and have not been able to
“It’s happened 3 times now. I’ll be driving and everything is fine, and suddenly an error will pop up on the dash that will read “coolant temp too high” and the entire car will power down while driving. It’s almost caused me to wreck all 3 times. The coolant had been at a normal temperature all 3 tim”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2021 Jeep COMPASS
Based on 17 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 73K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Jeep COMPASS
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Jeep COMPASS
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Jeep COMPASS Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2021 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 131 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: It’s happened 3 times now. I’ll be driving and everything is fine, and suddenly an error will pop up on the dash that will read “coolant temp too high” and the entire car will power down while driving. It’s almost caused me to wreck all 3 times. The coolant had been at a normal temperature all 3 tim
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: VIN NOT EXISTING. THIS VEHICLE IS LISTED FOR $1 A DEALER INCENTIVE OF $29,...... I ASKED TO PURCHASE AN MAKE DELIVERY. IS THERE ANY REASON VIN NOT FOUND. IS THIS A REAL CAR.?
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: My 2021 jeep Compass transmission and front camera has been causing me problems. My car for months has been jumping out of gear and jerking forward. The jerk get to a point where it feels as if someone just hit me from behind. These jerks almost caused me to get into about 3 accidents where I almost
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JULY 2021. I DRIVE IT 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. EACH WEEK I PUT IN BETWEEN $15-$20 IN GAS TO BRING THE FUEL LEVEL BACK UP TO THE FULL MARK. THE JEEPS DOES NOT HAVE GOOD FUEL ECONOMY. IT DEFINITELY DOES NOT REACH 22-25MPG. I DRIVE IT ABOUT 30MINUTES EACH WAY; WITH A FEW STOPS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Jeep COMPASS — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 131
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 6
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 261
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Jeep COMPASS