2011 Jeep Compass: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Aug 7, 2025 · Body · 98,500 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and was difficult the steer. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the front subframe had failed due to severe corrosion, causing damage to the engine bay, and causing the engine and transmission to lower. The subframe and front lower control arms were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Recently, while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 98,500.

Filed May 15, 2023 · Suspension · PA

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.

Filed Aug 31, 2022 · Body, Suspension · MA

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.

Filed Dec 1, 2020 · Suspension · 250,000 miles · NY

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 the federal safety agency 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

Filed Sep 15, 2017 · Suspension, Transmission · 79,101 miles · VA

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

Filed Jul 25, 2015 · Suspension · 65,000 miles · WA

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?

Filed Jul 29, 2014 · 69,867 miles · IA

Noticed a grinding sound in the front end of the jeep. Told dealership when I took the vehicle in for oil change. They replaced the lower control arms thinking that was the problem. Before leaving I could still hear the noise. Maintenance tech rode with me and narrowed it down to the gas pedal. At low speed (3-10 MPH) when pressing/releasing the foot feet you heard the grinding. Told me to bring the vehicle back later. Not sure what actions they took at the bring back but they knew it didn't correct the problem. Told me they were contacting jeep for information and there was another vehicle with the same problem. Contacted the dealership again and was told they were going to try were going to try something on the other vehicle since I lived so far away. Contacted them and was told it didn't work. They thought it might be the nature of the beast! They were going to contact jeep again. After more calls...today frustrated I told them I was not happy at all with the run around. People outside of the jeep can hear it as I drive though mall parking lots because they look when it makes noise. Planned on getting a new compass and selling this one to my son for trade in value but have concerns. Talking to others it came up how these other cars that had problems did not recall until so many people died. If I am spending money on a vehicle I will spend it on something that does not grind for an unknown reason. I was told to bring the jeep in and they would loan me a car so they could work on for the whole day. Set up a day and asked for a number to call jeep myself. They gave me the customer service number and the lady I talked to there was great. She talked to me, contacted the dealership-talking to the service gal I am dealing with, made another call and then gave me a number to call on friday when I take the jeep in with a case number and the website for this.

Filed Dec 24, 2011 · Suspension · 1,100 miles · NH

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.