FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2021 Jeep Compass 4WD
The 2021 Jeep Compass 4WD has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 76 owner complaints, and gets about 25 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2021 Jeep Compass 4WD at a glance
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.4L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.4 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 9-spd
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 13, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
No safety recalls on file with NHTSA for this year and model. That's a good sign.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 13, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
76 filed- 28
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The engine will shut off completely while traveling a a normal rate of speed. The temperature gauge will malfunction and report high temperature (when there is none) and the engine will shut off. It cannot be restarted without putting the
- 17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The LCD radio screen goes in and out, mostly out. Can't see information projected on infortainment screen hence can't see for back up camera situations. If it does come on fully meaning seeing all the controls, sometimes all the letters and
- 8
POWER TRAIN
Every single time I seen the climb McDonald pass in Helena, Montana the car freaks out says service transmission now no matter if I do it at 55 miles an hour or 75 miles an hour, which is about as fast as it’ll go up the pass, it goes in th
- 6
STEERING
This first occurred on 3/10/2026 and then occurred again on 3/15/2026. When driving the coolant temp warning will randomly come on. This causes the car to lock up. After about 30-60 seconds it goes back to normal. This could very dangerous
- 2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was driving on the Arecibo. P.R. highway when suddently the car started acelererating..i wouldn't show down. There were a lot of cars on the road, so I had to swerve onto the grass and hit a tree car. I dind'd receive any help from highwa
- 2
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with the message "Air Bags Wiring Fault" displayed. Additionally, the contac
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 13, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★☆
- Frontal
- ★★★★☆
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★☆☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 13, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 25 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 22 / 30
- Est. fuel / yr
- $2,500
- CO₂ / mi
- 358 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 13, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Have a mechanic check the electrical system
Owners report problems with the electrical system more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
Are there any recalls on the 2021 Jeep Compass 4WD? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2021 Jeep Compass 4WD. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Jeep Compass 4WD get? +
The EPA rates the 2021 Jeep Compass 4WD at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 30 highway), about $2,500 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2021 Jeep Compass 4WD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Jeep Compass 4WD 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2021 Jeep Compass 4WD? +
Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Jeep Compass 4WD, including 5 involving a crash. The most-reported area is electrical system.
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