2011 JEEP COMPASS Suspension Problems

Rust thru/failure of the front cross member subframe. I noticed a clicking/rubing sound coming from the front of my 2011 Jeep Compass. Over several days it got worse. I took the car to the same dealership that I bought the car from new and was told it was a rust thru on the subframe and that the car was not safe to drive. At this point there were NO warning lights or other indication that the front end was approaching a catastrophic failure. I contacted Jeep and was told that a special 10 year extended warranty had expired in 2022. The dealer offered no help in covering the cost either. I was never informed about the extended warranty, or I would have had the car checked. The thing that really makes me mad is the rust thru occurred on only one side because the A/C drain was routed so it dripped condensation onto the frame on that side. I have the subframe and have included pictures.

The rear subframe and suspension are rusted. I have been hearing a rattling sound for the past couple of weeks, especially when driving over bumps. When I took the car to my mechanic, he detected a cracking in the rear subframe/suspension due to the rust. If this would totally break it would be a substantial safety risk to myself, the driver, as well as other drivers on the road. No warning lights or messages appeared on the car to warn of this problem.

2011 Jeep Compass with 62,000 miles on it the subframes rod about the wheel almost fell off the arm that holds the wheel fell off the rear frame and that could have caused the real big accident accident would have lost control of the vehicle and they told and dealership told me that the warranty expired 2 years ago it was a 10-year extension on it so they did not do it it's because they used cheap metal and they know they did but they will not fix it I just fixed the rear subframe and all parts going to it and all bolts cost me 1500 dollars I do not think that's fair I hope you look into it because they are robbing people thank you I hope you can do something about it and I can get reimbursed and have my front one fixed too because that is rotted out too I just don't have the money to do both

Please require Jeep/Stallantis to initiate a recall for all 2008-2012 Jeep Compass' impacted by excessive corrosion to the subframe and front/rear cross members due to an inadequately designed AC drain located right above the vehicle subframe. Condensation from the AC drain drips directly onto critical frame structures. Therefore, excessive and premature rusting to the front & top sides of the subframe occurs because the subframe is constantly wet with the operation of the AC, as well as during the winter months while dehumidifying the air. Of course, road salt throughout the winter in the “salt” states further exacerbates the problem. Extensive rust to the subframes have deemed the vehicles unsafe to drive despite being in otherwise good condition w/ reasonable miles. No safety/dashboard lights, warnings, or operational concerns were present indicating potential safety concerns until the driver either experienced a dangerous driving situation or failed a vehicle inspection. Jeep has known about the significant safety implications, yet failed to effectively remediate critical safety concerns. Although Jeep extended a Front and Rear Crossmember Warranty (X69 Warranty), they neglected to properly notify vehicle owners of the extension. They did not make any type of public announcement to inform or warn drivers of the critical safety issues, did not notify owners of access to free yearly inspections to monitor the subframe. Owners using independent mechanics rather than OEM Jeep dealers have not been afforded the same opportunity to access the X69 Warranty Extension & inspections. Jeep has yet to demonstrate sufficient accountability for the ongoing critical safety and security concern. Acknowledging an insufficient AC drain design and issuing a recall for the AC drain, subframe, and front/rear cross members affirm they stand behind their brand, reputation, & value passenger and vehicle safety.

Was told by service center that car was not safe to drive

Front subframe rusted out due to salt corrosion and as Kentucky is not listed as a Salt belt state the recall notice went unsent and the consumer was not advised nor were service locations.

while running errands, a woman pointed out to me that i had dropped the rear passenger side control arm. she was very concerned about me driving it. i assured her i understood. and that with a mile to drive, i would use flashers and drive slowly. the following day my Compass was brought to my mechanic. i received a phone call i never expected! the rear crossmember was rusted out, and the subframe. above that, there was nothing to bolt to! the car was scrap- and, yes, it is available for inspection. this absolutely is a safety issue. the steering became unpredictable, harder to control. i could have lost a wheel, caused an accident that could have been fatal! the disabled car should not be on the road. i did visit the dealership local to me. i carried with me a TSB dated March 2017 about this very issue. i was told my car was "old" and did i get it serviced there? unfortunately, no, i bought it used 2 years ago. there had been a 10 year warranty extension and now my car was out of warranty? i had no notification. and, even so, why would Jeep deliberately ignore all the complaints on THEIR forums? three people at that dealership knew of this problem and said there was nothing they could do. my car is a 2011, i am a risk-free driver, no accident history. the car itself is clean. there is 40,000 miles on it. the previous owner was meticulous with service calls, getting recalls fixed, oil changes etc. the car was solid when i bought it. i did not abuse, misuse, or neglect my Compass in any way. this is a defect on the manufacturer's end. the folks on your very site are detailing the same severe corrosion. the 2011 and 2012 Compasses and 2011-2012 Patriots were affected. there are forums with owners trying to get compensated, trying to bring attention to this.

The suspension has completed rusted through. My mechanic can stick his arm all of the way through. There was a recall on other VINs but not mine so far. There needs to be one since I wasn't told about this safety problem until my mechanic went to replace other parts. I was never told this through any means. Jeep needs to do better. I am now out of a car and will have to pay thousands just to get the parts fixed.

In 2019 my 2011 jeep compass front subframe rusted really bad which cause corrosions. I called Chrysler and advise if there was a recall on this and they told me no. I paid for the repair to get it fix, fast forward to today I took my car in for an oil change and was informed the rear subframe has now rotted and is also causing corrosion. I called Jeep and was advise the recall expired in 2021 and there is nothing they can do. Please be mindful that I was told that there was no recall on this back in 2019 when I called. It is very unsafe for me to drive with my 4 year old in the car knowing that my subframe is severely rotted which is causing corrosions. jeep was not willing to help with this recall and I think it’s insane due to it being a safety issue

My mechanic reported that car's rear control arm has broken away from frame of car and is a very unsafe condition to use. No warning was given. Was found during normal inspection on mechanics lift. Manufacturer would not help during owners notification of problem but recognized the seriousness of the problem. Dealer has not been notified just my mechanic professional's recommendation.

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the wheels aligned, she was informed that the work could not be performed due to severe subframe corrosion. The vehicle was then taken to a second independent mechanic who provided the same diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Mileage: 133,000

-The vehicles front subframe failed to support the vehicles stability, structure, weight, and momentum, during normal driving ,braking, acceleration from a stop, etc. -The corroded and complete 'rusted thru metal' subframe is available for visual/safety inspection, and photo's are attached. - Safety was severely compromised while driving, as the "Subframe to main channel frame" fastening bolt was sheared and broken off while driving, causing the vehicle to veer, without control, due to the engine weight and front end suspension/components shifting out of position. - Independent service centers and auto- mechanic statements in multiple car safety forums have indicated similar situations have occurred, and could be fatal at highway speeds/conditions. - The vehicle is scheduled for dealership inspection and consultation for further use, and/or repair. -No warning lights were initiated at time of this issue. Steering wheel vibration, and loss of steering control occurred.

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that an abnormal squeaking noise would emit from the brakes as the 4-wheel drive and tire pressure warning lights appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered severe corrosion was on the entire subframe, but mostly on the front end of the vehicle. The mechanic replaced the rear passenger’s side rotor; he also informed her that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the corrosion. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Mileage: 129,000

MY WIFE AND I NOTICED ALOT OF HARD BANGING IN THE REAR AND FRONT OF VEHICLE , AT THE SPEED OF IDLING OUT OF OUR PARKING. CROSSING ANY RAIL SERVICE NO MATTER HOW NEW AND WE'LL BUILT THE LOUD BANGS IN THE FRONT AND REAR ARE THERE AT EVEN THE SLOWEST OF SPEEDS. I HAVE CRAWLED AROUND UNDER OUR JEEP BEST I CAN , THE FRONT MEMBER AND REAR ARE BEYOND ROTTED, I CAN ONLY GET PICTURES OF THE REAR DAMAGE BUT THE FRONT IS HORRIBLE ALSO..

Mileage: 121,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT FRACTURED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY A YEAR LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED THE IDLE ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIE ROD, IDLE ARMS, AND LINK BAR WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT A PIECE OF SHARP METAL WAS CUTTING INTO THE BALL JOINT RUBBER BOOT. THE CONTACT FOUND AN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V328000 (SUSPENSION) ONLINE WHICH COULD BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CONTACTED BICAL CHEVROLET OF VALLEY STREAM (709 W. MERRICK RD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580) WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. *LN*JB*LN*JB*JB

Mileage: 250,000

MY FRONT SUBFRAME /CROSSMEMBER IS RUSTED AND HAS HOLES PART OF THE FRAME SNAPED WHERE SWAY BAR IS SHOULD A PART THAT CALLED FRAME WHETHER A SUB FRAME OR NOT SHOULD LAST

Mileage: 150,000

SEVERE RUST IN THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME CROSSMEMBER.

Mileage: 150,000

FRONT CROSSMEMBER HAD A RECALL I WAS NEVER CONTACTED AGAIN NOW THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION

TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SHOP FOR A KNOCKING IN THE REAR. FOUND THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED/ROTTED OUT. ON NOV 18TH, THE 3RD WEEK AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK ON THE ROAD THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WHILE STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION. WE WERE PULLED INTO THE LANE TO OUR LEFT. PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO A SERVICE STATION, FEELING LIKE WE HAD A FLAT TIRE AT THAT POINT. A DRIVER BEHIND US PULLED IN CONCERNED SAYING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS PERPENDICULAR FROM THE REST OF THE VEHICLE AS WE WERE DRIVING FORWARD. TOWED TO A SHOP WHO THEN INFORMED US THE CROSS MEMBER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME RUST ISSUES AS THE REAR AND HAD BROKEN.

Mileage: 139,000

ENGINE CRADLE AND CROSSMEMBER CORROSION. ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH, WONT PASS INSPECTION. I DON'T DRIVE OFF ROAD. WONT PASS INSPECTION. DROVE TO THE MECHANIC AND WHEN HE LIFTED IT HE WAS ABLE TO SEE DAYLIGHT THROUGH THE RUST HOLES.

Mileage: 156,600

MY WIFE AND I JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY WHERE WE WERE TRAVELING 70 MPH (RT 75 SOUTH TENNESSEE). WE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT THAT WAS RED AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. WE HEARD A LOAD SOUND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND THE WHEEL PULLED FROM MY HANDS. I EXITED THE CAR TO FIND THE LOWER A FRAME HAD BROKEN OFF THE SUB FRAME. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON THE EXIT RAMP, WE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED. THE POLICE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND AGREED IF THIS HAPPENED AT SPEED, WE MAY HAVE BEEN HURT. TOWED THE 2011 COMPASS TO A DODGE DEALER IN CLEVELAND, TN.

Mileage: 67,000

THE SUBFRAME OR K-FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS ROTTED OUT AND THE SWAY BARS BROKE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. CAUSE POPPING AND CRACKING WHEN DRIVING (IN MOTION).

Mileage: 47,000

VEHICLE IS PRONE TO CVT TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN WARM WEATHER. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 SEPARATE TIMES NOW ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM, THE LATEST ON INTERSTATE 95 SOUTH 50 MILES NORTH OF THE FLORIDA LINE IN GEORGIA. CAR WILL STOP ANY ACCELERATION, TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT COMES ON AND YOU CANNOT MAINTAIN SPEED WITH FLOW OF TRAFFIC. CREATE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION TRYING TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, OCCURRED AT 70 MPH. JEEP DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETECT ANY PROBLEM WHEN DIAGNOSING FROM PRIOR SIMILAR EVENT. IN ADDITION WHEEL BEARINGS IN REAR AXLES WEAR OUT ON AVERAGE EVERY 35,000 MILES I HAVE REPLACED TWICE NOW PLUS BALL JOINT IN FRONT NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT BETWEEN 36,000 AND 40,000 MILES

Mileage: 79,101

CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END . TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, REAR SHOCKS WERE LEAKING REAR SWAY BAR NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS NEVER OF ROAD! NEEDS A NEW FRONT END AT 65000 MILES?

Mileage: 65,000

MOST OF THE TIME WHEN MAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN ON UNEVEN ROAD, YOU CAN HEAR A LOAD POPPING OR SNAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT AREA, OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. ALMOST SOUNDS AS BOLTS ARE SNAPPING APART. *TR

Mileage: 1,100

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL HARD TOWARD THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A COMBINATION OF THE NATURE OF THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE AND DRIVER INEXPERIENCE. THE TECHNICIANS ADJUSTED THE CAMBER YET THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65. UPDATED 07/20/11 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS. THERE WAS A WHINING SOUND AND IT FELT AS THOUGH, IT WAS STRAINING TO CHANGE GEARS. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER NECESSARY TO MERGE SAFELY FROM ONE LANE OF TRAFFIC TO ANOTHER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO RE-START, BUT EVENTUALLY IT DID. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTERWARDS. UPDATED 11/21/11

Mileage: 65