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Jeep2006–2023 Critical issues documented

Jeep Compass M6: common faults & what to check

The M6 is the Jeep Compass built 2018 onward. It was sold here with the 1.3 turbo petrol and 2.4 petrol. Of the 12 faults documented for the Compass, 6 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Jeep Compass

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

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12

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$400–$2,000

Typical repair

24

Service milestones

You're looking at the M6

2 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

A 2018 Jeep Compass is the M6 generation (2018 to now).

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Jeep Compass M6Engine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the Compass came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Jeep Compass · 2018

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

  • No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Jeep Compass before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Costly issue

    The drive tells you most of it.

    See why

    Front control arm bush failure at moderate mileage

    Owners report front control arm bushings failing at relatively low mileage — commonly around 90,000 to 95,000 km, which is early for a suspension bush and early enough that many buyers assume the car must have been abused. The rubber in the bush breaks down, the arm is no longer held precisely, and the car develops a knock over bumps along with steering that feels vague and wanders on a straight road. It also chews front tyres, so the bill often arrives with a set of tyres attached to it. None of this is dangerous immediately, but it is a real cost and it is very easy to detect from the driver's seat, which makes it one of the more useful things to test on a Compass of this age.

    What you would notice

    • Knock or clunk from the front over bumps and speed humps
    • Steering feeling vague off-centre, or the car wandering on a straight road
    • Uneven front tyre wear, often heavier on one edge
    • Shudder through the steering wheel under braking
    • Visible cracking or splitting in the rubber bush

    Typically $700–$2,000 to put right.

  • Costly issue

    Spin the wheel by hand and listen for roughness or grinding.

    See why

    Front Wheel Bearing Failure

    Both MK (2006–2016) and MP (2017–2021) Jeep Compass models exhibit premature front wheel bearing failure. The integrated hub-bearing assemblies deteriorate earlier than expected, particularly on vehicles driven on unsealed NZ/AU roads. Failed bearings cause wheel wobble, a characteristic growling noise that changes with steering input, and in severe cases can cause ABS sensor faults. Replacement requires the complete hub/bearing assembly on most variants.

    What you would notice

    • Growling or humming noise from front that changes when weaving left or right
    • Wheel wobble at speed
    • ABS warning light due to faulty wheel speed sensor integral to hub
    • Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds

    Typically $400–$900 to put right.

A 2018 Jeep Compass: what is due, and when

Servicing

Next service

100,000 km

Inspect the cooling system hoses and the spark plugs to keep the Tigershark engine running efficiently.

This car may already have passed it.

Placed by the car’s age, not read from the dash — 55,200–128,800 km after 8 years.

Timing

Our research does not record which this engine uses, and it depends on the engine rather than the model. Check the owner’s manual rather than assume: on a belt-driven engine, an overdue belt is the failure that takes the engine with it.

Behind it

  • 60,000 kmTransmission fluid service helps maintain shift quality and fluid cleanliness for the 9-speed gearbox.

Ahead of it

  • 120,000 kmEvaluate the condition of the suspension components and wheel bearings, which typically see more wear by this stage.

“Behind it” means the car has driven past that distance, not that the work was done — ask to see the receipts. These are the intervals for the Second Generation (MP/552) · 2.4L (Tigershark MultiAir) - Sport/Longitude/Limited · Petrol; only the car’s own service book says what has actually been done to it.

See all 6 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 2 rated critical.
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1 critical3

01Rear brake caliper piston coating recall — reduced braking ability

2018–2019BrakesRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02Front control arm bush failure at moderate mileage

The drive tells you most of it.2018–2023SuspensionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

03Front Wheel Bearing Failure

Spin the wheel by hand and listen for roughness or grinding.petrol2006–2021Suspension
CommonSuspension $400–$900 to fix

Both MK (2006–2016) and MP (2017–2021) Jeep Compass models exhibit premature front wheel bearing failure. The integrated hub-bearing assemblies deteriorate earlier than expected, particularly on vehicles driven on unsealed NZ/AU roads. Failed bearings cause wheel wobble, a characteristic growling noise that changes with steering input, and in severe cases can cause ABS sensor faults. Replacement requires the complete hub/bearing assembly on most variants.

Symptoms to notice

  • Growling or humming noise from front that changes when weaving left or right
  • Wheel wobble at speed
  • ABS warning light due to faulty wheel speed sensor integral to hub
  • Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds

What to check

Spin the wheel by hand and listen for roughness or grinding. Drive and weave gently — noise that changes side-to-side points to a specific bearing. Check both front bearings. If a workshop inspection is possible: With car on hoist, grab each front wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock and rock it — any play indicates worn bearing.

Where to look: Front suspension — wheel hub bearing assembly both sides

Parts involved: Wheel bearing.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the front wheel bearings been replaced?”
  • “Any growling noise from the front, especially on bends?”
  • “Any ABS warning lights?”
Depends on the exact engine — 3 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Engine, transmission & cooling2

01Tigershark oil consumption and low oil pressure — engine can stall while driving

petrol2018–2023EngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

029-speed automatic jerky shifts and loss of power (M6)

Drive in mixed conditions and note harsh shifts, hesitation or any power drop.2018 onwardTransmission
CommonTransmission $400–$6,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The current M6 Compass's nine-speed automatic draws frequent complaints for jerky shifts, hesitation and occasional loss of power, often appearing around 30,000-50,000 km. It's the same family of gearbox that gave the Cherokee KL trouble. Software updates address some of it; assess shift quality and confirm updates on a used example.

Symptoms to notice

  • Jerky or harsh shifts
  • Hesitation when accelerating
  • Momentary loss of power
  • Clunk from park to drive

What to check

Drive in mixed conditions and note harsh shifts, hesitation or any power drop. Ask whether transmission software updates/recalls have been done (check by VIN). OBD-scan for transmission codes. Some hesitation is characteristic, but repeated clunks or power loss are a concern.

Where to look: Nine-speed automatic transmission

Ask the seller

  • “Have the transmission software updates/recalls been done?”
  • “Does it shift smoothly or jerk?”
  • “Any loss of power on the move?”
Electrical1

01Infotainment, camera and no-start electrical faults (M6)

Test the infotainment, reverse camera and all lights thoroughly.2018 onwardElectrical
CommonElectrical $200–$2,000 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The M6 Compass has notable electrical complaints: Uconnect infotainment glitches and screen delamination, blank/black rearview cameras, headlights cutting out, and a no-start condition some owners hit while the car was still fairly new (around 40,000 km). Mostly not safety-critical but a poor look on a modern car and potentially costly out of warranty.

Symptoms to notice

  • Infotainment freezing, rebooting or delaminating screen
  • Rearview camera black or blank
  • Headlights turning off unexpectedly
  • Intermittent no-start

What to check

  1. Test the infotainment, reverse camera and all lights thoroughly.
  2. Check the touchscreen for delamination (bubbling/discolouration at edges).
  3. Start the car several times.
  4. Ask about any no-start events or electrical repairs and confirm what's under remaining warranty.

Where to look: Uconnect head unit, reverse camera, lighting and starting electrical systems

Ask the seller

  • “Does the infotainment and reverse camera work reliably?”
  • “Has it ever failed to start?”
  • “Is any of this still under warranty?”
Other Jeep Compass engines and years6 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling2

01JATCO CVT Belt Slippage and Failure

Test drive with multiple hard acceleration runs from low speed — check for slipping (rising revs without vehicle speed increase).petrol2007–2012TransmissionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02CVT overheating and failure (MK)

On the test drive accelerate firmly and confirm the revs and speed rise together with no slipping or whine.2007–2016Transmission
CommonTransmission $3,000–$6,000 to fix

Does not apply

The MK Compass's Jatco CVT is its most serious problem — it's prone to overheating and failure even with servicing. Symptoms are slipping (engine revs without matching acceleration), whining, delayed engagement and, in bad cases, complete failure that can strand the car. The 2011 model year was the worst. On a used MK Compass, a healthy CVT is the make-or-break item.

Symptoms to notice

  • Slipping / revs flare without accelerating
  • Whining or grinding from the transmission
  • Delayed engagement into drive or reverse
  • Overheating warning / limp mode
  • Judder at low speed

What to check

On the test drive accelerate firmly and confirm the revs and speed rise together with no slipping or whine. Try several park-to-drive engagements. On a longer drive watch for any transmission-overheat warning. Check for CVT fluid service history. Walk away from any slipping unit.

Where to look: Jatco CVT (continuously variable transmission)

Ask the seller

  • “Has the CVT ever overheated, slipped or been replaced?”
  • “Has the CVT fluid been serviced on schedule?”
  • “Any transmission warning lights?”
Electrical1

01Integrated power module failure — no crank, no start, and unrelated electrical faults

Start it more than once, and from cold.2007–2011Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $700–$2,600 to fix

Does not apply

The totally integrated power module is the Compass's central fuse and relay box, and when it fails it takes a great many unrelated things down with it. Owners of 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 cars report vehicles that will not crank or will not start at all, and the module is a repeatedly named cause. Because everything electrical passes through it, a failing module can also produce a scattering of symptoms that look like separate faults — a fuel pump that will not prime, wipers or lights behaving oddly, a horn that sounds by itself — and chasing each one individually is how people spend money without fixing anything. That is the useful thing for a buyer to know: several odd electrical symptoms at once on this car point at one part, not at a car falling apart.

Symptoms to notice

  • Car not cranking, or cranking but not starting, intermittently
  • Several unrelated electrical faults appearing at the same time
  • Fuel pump not priming when the ignition is switched on
  • Wipers, lights or horn operating on their own or refusing to work
  • Clicking from the fuse box area when trying to start

What to check

Start it more than once, and from cold. Turn the ignition on and listen for the fuel pump priming for a second or two before you crank — silence there is a useful early sign on this car. Then start it, drive it, switch it off, and start it again several times over the visit rather than accepting one successful start. Note any hesitation, any crank that does not catch, or any moment where nothing happens at all. With the ignition on, work through every electrical item you can reach: headlights, high beam, indicators, hazards, wipers on every speed including the intermittent setting, the horn, the heater fan on all speeds, the electric windows and the central locking. You are looking for anything that behaves oddly rather than one specific failure. Listen near the fuse box for repeated clicking when starting. Ask the seller directly whether the car has ever failed to start, and whether the power module has ever been replaced — many have been, and a receipt is reassuring rather than alarming. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for stored body-control faults to be read.

Where to look: Engine bay — totally integrated power module, the main fuse and relay box

Ask the seller

  • “Has the car ever failed to crank or start?”
  • “Has the integrated power module ever been replaced?”
  • “Do any electrical items behave oddly — wipers, lights, horn, locking?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior3

01Front control arm and tie rod wear — clunks and chewed front tyres

The test drive finds most of this.2007–2016SuspensionRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02Front ball joints and wheel bearings wear early (MK)

Drive at 60-80 km/h and listen for a droning hum that changes when you gently steer left/right (wheel bearing).2007–2016Suspension
CommonSuspension $400–$1,800 to fix

Does not apply

The MK Compass (shared platform with the Patriot/Caliber) has a front-suspension design that wears fast: front lower ball joints and wheel bearings commonly need replacement around 55,000-65,000 km, and bad ball joints accelerate wheel-bearing failure. Owners report large bills when control arms, ball joints and bearings all go together. Expect knocking and droning noises as the tell-tales.

The front wheel of a car splayed outward with the lower control arm hanging down after a ball joint separation.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.

Elfix · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Droning/humming that rises with speed (wheel bearing)
  • Clunk over bumps (ball joint)
  • Vague steering or uneven tyre wear
  • Play when the wheel is rocked

What to check

  1. Drive at 60-80 km/h and listen for a droning hum that changes when you gently steer left/right (wheel bearing).
  2. Listen for front clonks over bumps.
  3. Check for ball-joint play and uneven tyre wear.
  4. Factor front-end parts into your offer on higher-km cars.

Where to look: Front lower ball joints and front/rear wheel bearings

Parts involved: Wheel bearing, Ball joint.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the ball joints or wheel bearings been replaced?”
  • “Any humming or knocking from the front?”
  • “Will it pass a WOF now?”

03Water leaks into the cabin (MK)

Press the carpets in all footwells and the boot for damp.2007–2016Interior
CommonInterior $150–$800 to fix

Does not apply

The MK Compass and its Patriot twin are known for water getting into the cabin — commonly from blocked or kinked sunroof drain tubes, but also failed window/roof seals — leaving wet carpets and, over time, musty smells, corrosion of connectors and electrical faults. It's a persistent, well-documented complaint. Wet carpets on a used one should be treated as a real problem, not a one-off.

Symptoms to notice

  • Damp or wet carpets (front or rear footwells)
  • Musty/mouldy smell
  • Water staining around the headliner or sunroof
  • Fogged-up windows

What to check

Press the carpets in all footwells and the boot for damp. Lift mats and feel underneath. Sniff for mould. If there's a sunroof, check for water staining around it. A history of wet carpets often means blocked sunroof drains — cheap to clear but check for consequent electrical/rust damage.

Where to look: Sunroof drain tubes, door/roof seals, cabin footwells

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the carpets ever been wet?”
  • “Have the sunroof drains been cleared?”
  • “Any musty smell or electrical faults from damp?”

Jeep Compass faults in detail

Narrowed to the Jeep Compass · 2018. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

Front control arm bush failure at moderate mileageMajor · SuspensionRear brake caliper piston coating recall — reduced braking abilityCritical · BrakesTigershark oil consumption and low oil pressure — engine can stall while drivingCritical · Engine

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Jeep Compass’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Jeep models

Jeep Grand Cherokee31 documented faultsJeep Wrangler24 documented faultsJeep Cherokee18 documented faults

Jeep Compass buyer questions

Is the Jeep Compass reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 12 documented faults for the Jeep Compass, the recurring problem areas are transmission, engine, and electrical. A Jeep Compass with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Jeep Compass?

We've catalogued 12 known faults for the Jeep Compass, covering transmission, engine, and electrical. All 12 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Jeep Compass?

Most single repairs on the Jeep Compass fall between $400–$2,000 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 12 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Jeep Compass?

Yes. A Jeep Compass inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.