NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 72 complaints against the 2021 Jeep Compass. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2021 Jeep Compass complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2021 Jeep Compass has generated 144 NHTSA complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your 2021 Jeep Compass has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Jeep pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
The 2021 Jeep Compass has generated 22 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “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 numbers are projecting upside down. If the car is hugely warm enough from long term driving the screen will be normal. I have read some reviews and it seems like this is a jeep problem. This issue has never been with other cars I owned. This poses a safety risk especially because it makes a back up camera issue.” (NHTSA Complaint #11714793)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2021 Jeep Compass include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 20 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “While driving, the 2021 Jeep Compass displays “Coolant Temperature High: Shutting Down” even though the car temperature gauge indicates normal engine temperature. Following the warning notification, the vehicle came to a complete stop. Fortunately, I was not going fast and was able to drift into a parking lot space. After several minutes, the vehicle started again and drove normally. If this was to happen at high speed or on a congested highway, someone could be seriously injured or killed. I have seen on other online forums that this is a somewhat common issue with the Jeep Compass. However, after many different service procedures have been attempted from reports online, it appears that no solution has been determined or suggested by the manufacturer.” (NHTSA Complaint #11714001)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2021 Jeep Compass have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 10 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “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 the limp mode, shuts off the fuel pump says service transmission now every single light on the dash that could come on comes on. I don’t know what’s going on with it. I’ve taken it to the dealership. They can’t seem to figure it out.” (NHTSA Complaint #11684207)
Steering defects can create unpredictable vehicle behavior and qualify as safety-related under California lemon law. Reported issues on the 2021 Jeep Compass include pulling, vibration, loss of power steering, and electronic steering warnings. 6 NHTSA complaints have been filed in this category. Owner reports include: “I purchased this vehicle not quite a year ago. After about 3 months while turning I noticed a knocking sound coming from the left front of the vehicle while turning. When I was able I took the vehicle back to dealer who stated it was the rack and pinion. I was told by a local mechanic if not repaired it can come a lose cause you to loose control causing accident. After I was told this I researched an found several other jeep owners had this same problem. My vehicle now has 58k miles on it had only 32K when purchased I did get warranty dealer refused repairs I would like jeep to investigated because some complaints are not listed with nhtsa seems owners just repair it an move on or just complain ask questions on internet. I feel jeep should be held responsible an thus should be recalled before someone is killed.” (NHTSA Complaint #11588162)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2021 Jeep Compass include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 6 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Just driving down the highway at the speed limit the car will suddenly say over heating coolant level low and shut off for 1 second. Has done this 3 times in last few weeks. This was after I just had to replace the 2nd battery that controls all the extra functions on the car and a temperature sensor. The coolant level is fine” (NHTSA Complaint #11556152)
As of the date of this review, no active recalls have been issued specifically for the 2021 Jeep Compass. Recall status can change at any time. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the most current information. The absence of a recall does not mean your vehicle is defect-free — many lemon law claims proceed without a recall on file.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2021 Jeep Compass:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Jeep to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Jeep must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2021 Jeep Compass qualifies as a lemon under California law, Jeep may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Jeep a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Jeep dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Jeep pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Jeep a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Jeep is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2021 Jeep Compass has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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