2016 Jeep Compass Safety Report

2016 Jeep Compass plagued by engine stalling issues and a critical recall, with below-average frontal crash safety.

280Complaints
1Recalls
35/100Reliability Score
9Crash Reports
2Fire Reports
15Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (67)Unknown Or Other (19)Engine And Engine Cooling (19)Power Train (17)Air Bags (9)Electrical System,Engine (8)Electrical System (8)Seat Belts (7)Seats (7)Vehicle Speed Control,Engine (6)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Jeep Compass

The 2016 Jeep Compass presents a mixed safety picture, with significant concerns regarding engine reliability and a notable recall history. NHTSA has received 280 total complaints, including 9 crashes, 2 fires, and 15 injuries, but no fatalities. A major pattern in complaints revolves around engine stalling and failure, with 'ENGINE' and 'ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING' components accounting for 67 and 19 complaints respectively, totaling 86 complaints or 30.7% of all issues. This is directly linked to a critical recall (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 16V907000) affecting 42,231 vehicles, where a faulty crankshaft or camshaft sensor could cause the engine to stall, increasing crash risk. Many complaints indicate owners experiencing these symptoms even if their VIN is not covered by the recall. Beyond engine issues, other notable complaint areas include 'POWER TRAIN' (17 complaints), 'AIR BAGS' (9 complaints), and 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' (8 complaints). Several complaints describe airbag warning lights illuminating without cause or headrests deploying unexpectedly. The vehicle's crash test performance, where available, shows a 3-star rating for Frontal crash and a 4-star rating for Rollover, with Overall and Side ratings not available. While the rollover rating is decent, the frontal crash rating is below average, and the lack of comprehensive ratings makes a full assessment challenging. The prevalence of engine stalling complaints, often mirroring the recall's description, suggests a widespread and potentially dangerous defect. The 15 reported injuries underscore the real-world impact of these failures. Despite the recall, many owners report similar issues outside the recall's VIN range, indicating a broader manufacturing concern. The combination of a critical engine recall, numerous related complaints, and a less-than-stellar frontal crash rating points to significant safety vulnerabilities for this model year.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Jeep Compass receives a reliability score of 35 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

Known Issues for the 2016 Jeep Compass

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Jeep Compass:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Engine Stalling/Failure
The engine may stall unexpectedly while driving, often due to a faulty crankshaft or camshaft sensor, leading to loss of power steering and increased crash risk. Many owners report this issue even if their VIN is not covered by the recall.		 High Common variable miles
Airbag System Malfunctions
Airbag warning lights illuminate without cause, or headrests deploy unexpectedly, raising concerns about airbag system reliability.		 Medium Occasional variable miles
Power Loss/Acceleration Issues
Vehicle experiences sudden loss of power, difficulty accelerating, or jolting/jerking while driving, sometimes linked to catalytic converter or electronic throttle control issues.		 Medium Occasional variable miles
Electrical System Problems
Issues such as flickering lights (headlights, cab lights, cluster) and general power loss, indicating potential major ground or electrical system faults.		 Medium Occasional variable miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Jeep Compass:

Engine 23% of complaints

Frequent complaints of engine stalling, seizing, and complete failure, often attributed to crankshaft/camshaft sensor issues or internal engine defects.

Engine And Engine Cooling 6% of complaints

Issues related to engine cooling and general engine performance, including stalling and power loss.

Power Train 6% of complaints

Problems with the transmission and overall power delivery, contributing to stalling and acceleration difficulties.

Air Bags 3% of complaints

Airbag warning lights illuminating, and in some cases, unexpected headrest deployment.

Electrical System 2% of complaints

Reports of flickering lights, power loss, and other electrical malfunctions.

Vehicle Speed Control,Engine 2% of complaints

Issues where the vehicle loses speed control or stalls, often in conjunction with engine problems.

Seat Belts 2% of complaints

Seat belts randomly disengaging or failing to latch properly.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Jeep Compass

Is the 2016 Jeep Compass safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Jeep Compass has significant safety concerns, primarily due to widespread engine stalling issues, which led to a recall affecting over 42,000 vehicles. It has a 3-star frontal crash rating, which is below average, and 15 reported injuries from 280 complaints.

What are common problems with the 2016 Jeep Compass?

The most reported issues are engine stalling and failure (over 30% of complaints), often linked to crankshaft/camshaft sensor defects. Other common problems include power train issues, airbag system malfunctions, and electrical system failures.

Was there a recall for the 2016 Jeep Compass?

Yes, there was one significant recall (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 16V907000) for the 2016 Jeep Compass concerning a faulty crankshaft or camshaft sensor that could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. This recall affected 42,231 vehicles.

How did the 2016 Jeep Compass perform in crash tests?

The 2016 Jeep Compass received a 3-star rating for Frontal crash and a 4-star rating for Rollover from NHTSA. Overall and Side crash ratings are not available.

Are the engine stalling issues resolved by the recall?

While the recall addresses a specific sensor issue, many owners have reported experiencing engine stalling symptoms even if their vehicle's VIN was not included in the recall, suggesting the problem might be more widespread or have other underlying causes.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the high number of critical engine-related complaints and a significant recall, potential buyers should exercise extreme caution and ensure any specific vehicle has had all recall work completed and a thorough pre-purchase inspection for engine and electrical system health.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Jeep Compass

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Jeep Compass. The data includes 280 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 9 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 15 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.