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Jeep Compass Problems and Solutions
Got problems? Got solutions? Discuss them here!
Who will have the distinction of posting the first problem here?
Who will have the distinction of posting the first problem here?
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-Suspension
-Drive Train
-Chassis
-Exterior styling
-Engine
Here are the solutions
Suspension: Change it to straight axles front and rear, at least the rear.
Drive Train: Add front, center, and rear lockers, add a low range transfer case. Add a 4 wheel drive system, instead of the current All Wheel drive system.
Chassis: Put it on a ladder frame chassis, or use something similar to the Cherokee XJ
Engine: Go back to the 4.0L I6 to have torque Throughout the RPM band.
Exterior styling: Fire the woman, or feminine male that designed the exterior and place a Wrangler body on it complete with a removeable top and add some snatch blocks.
Hope this helps
Your degree in advanced auto design is probably from MIT. You are makeing these recomendations on line so you will be noticed by Jeep and offered a the job of completely reworking a new vehicle that hasen't even been on the road yet.
They very well may completely rework a new design before it's been introduced to the public in the MIT classrooms, but it doesn't happen in the real world.
I suggest you start your campaign for a position in the Jeep design department by reworking a proven flop. May I suggest the YUGO.
Come back in a few weeks with some suggestions as to how to make the YUGO one of the best small cars on American's roads and I'll give you a job redesigning the horses on my ranch!
It's been a pretty good design for 1000's of years. The horse was designed by a guy named GOD. But I bet you could do better!
CK
I would actually say the Camel (also used right here in Montana) is the Lexus of the desert!
You have to fit the vehicle to the task. Maybe if fzr1000 had figured out the Compasss was not designed just for him, but rather for the general masses (women included) he would have thought twice about redesigning it.
If you applied all his suggestions to the YUGO, he might be driving one of those.
CK
You probably don't remember the Camel Trucking company.
They had 1000,s of truck on the highways in the 50's and 60,s. Their slogan (painted on the side of each truck)
"HUMPING TO PLEASE"
A little humor goes a long way in this fast pace world.
CK
CK
So see, anyone can be right once in a while. Even if they don't know they are.
Then, on a hunch, I tried bringing the rpm up to 2200 while parked in the driveway. Sure enough, as I slowly creeped into the 2000 rpm range I felt the familiar shake. It can be felt felt through the steering wheel, seat of the pants, gear lever and to just about anyone sitting in the car.
Everything else runs great. I've averaged 24 mpg thus far and overall am very pleased with the Compass.
So my question is: Has anyone else encountered this engine surging/vibration/shake problem? If so, what was the cause and fix? I'd like to be forwarned/forearmed before I head to the dealer. Thanks! :confuse:
Now here is a huge reason I did not buy a Compass a 2006 Liberty with a sticker price of $24,615. we got for $18,650. and the Compass that had as close to what the Liberty had was nearly $23,700. DCX has the price set so later in the year they can give a big rebate. But that did not help for now!
I think DCX and the JEEP, are in serious trouble, as they are just really making one really hot vehicle, that's the Unlimited Wrangler. Many magizines say the quality of the KIA and Hundi are better than the Caliber and the Compass. Does anyone believe that the Compass has some hidden value that people just don't see?
Farout
As to the horsepower the Caliber R/T AWD & Caliber R/T FWD both have 172 horsepower coming from the same 2.4L engine that is in the Compass.
There is also a 158 horsepower engine in addition to the 148 horsepower engine - only the Caliber SE has 148 horsepower and you won't find many of those.
Not to mention that they share the same CVT Transmission...
Jeep Compass Limited: Blind Spot Design (Long-Term Road Tests)
Buy the way guess how much the little dark port window on the back side cost? We were weed eating and a rock hit the window. The window is $485. US dollars plus $60. to install it. DEALER ITEM ONLY !!!!! ouch. glad we had $100. deductable ins. Took 2 weeks to get it.
farout
That said, the only other problem I have with the Jeep, is the lack of an auxiliary input port on the in dash Navi/Radio. I tried this neat looking after market set up that gives you another 2 inch LCD mounted screen, and a control knob for managing your iPod. I had them run the line up through the center console, and into the iPod holder on the arm rest. It used an FM modulator hard wired so as to avoid any RF interference (or so it advertised). Now I have poor antenna reception, and only ok sound quality out of my iPod. A long story short, stick with Jeep recommended accessories and parts. The Mopar iPod direct connect goes directly into the unit itself the correct way and according to the install sheet, lets you control your iPod or some functions of the iPod via your finger controls. Ill report back once I get it installed. The cost is a little over $200 for the unit, or what I paid for the Best Buy special I purchased with the neat LCD screen. But now, because they mounted and drilled through some bevel plates, I will have to replace them as well. The shift silver bevel plate is like...$60 and the large center console bevel is around $150.
These Compass's have a good record so far, so maybe your dealer is not to sharp? Any other information would be helpful and might just jog someones idea bank.
farout
My only complaint, thus far, is an odd vibration from the engine in the 2200 to 2500 RPM range. You can feel it in the seat of your pants. It matters not if you're driving or sitting in park. When you raise the RPMs, either sitting in neutral or under gentle acceleration, it shakes from 2200 until about 2500 RPM. Under heavy acceleration it passes the revs up pretty quickly and you don't notice. I still plan on having the dealer check it out before warranty expiration. Performace is fine, just a little shake that I suppose might be a throttle position sensor or a computer tweak that might be needed. I am curious if anyone else has experienced this phenomena.
I hope you hold the dealer's feet to the fire on this. Loss of power can be a rather hazardous situation. Maybe a trip to the hills with a dealer rep onboard would convince them?
Keep us posted! Good luck!
The MOPAR magazine had a three page article on the World Engine and this engine is a seriously complicated engine. There are two thermostats and it goes more complecated from that. This is not an engine to do some work on yourself, except oil changes.
I would guess that unless Chrysler gets some more real world horse power and better fuel mileage, this won't be one of Chrysler's better ideas. I personally hope this engine lasts as good as our 1996 Dodge Neon 2.L engine with 195,000 miles and still runs good.
farout
The 2.4 has plenty of get up and go at speeds above 40 mph, but low speed take off is much to be desired, fuel mpg is nothing to brag about, but taking 3,200 pounds around all the time is no small chore for the 2.4 either.
I have no idea if the same exact engine is put any other vehicle except Chrysler vehicles or not.
farout
farout
We traded it in on a Chrysler Pacifica Touring AWD. We get 24.3 mpg on the highway and 22 around our home area. That's much better than the Compass.
I think unless Jeep makes some drastic improvements real fast the Compass is short lived at best.
I think the fuel mpg you are getting should be better, but don't you will see the 26 that the Jeep sticker says.
farout
TrailBlazer. The dealer in a round about way told me that the variable drive transmittion will not work at low speeds on steep dirt roads. The vehicle we have now does the job just fine.
Fuel mileage was 20 to 23 once in a while it hit 24, but only rarely. The gutless 2.4 engine was a joke, floo rit from a dead stop and the engine made lots of noise, but was pathetic in power and take off! When driving when I took my foot off the gas the car seemed like the brakes were on, very little coasting. The CVT was pure cheap crap! The engine and CVT were constantly going up and down. The plastic insides looked like old WalMart bags recycled and stamped forged into cheap bad fit and finish parts for the insides. The arm rests were as comfortable as a rock mounted to the door.
And YES the ride of the Compass was simular to boat on water!
Chrysler just announced that the Compass, Patriot and the Caliber are being refreshed ASAP because of "cheap interior materials" and they are lowering the price of all three! That sure makes me and others who bought one of the lesser quality, more expensive Compass buyers happy!
Oh we traded the Compass in on a 2007 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Touring, that gets 21 to 24 mpg and with the 4.l engine and the 6 speed auto is the nicest vehicle we have ever had. The Compass was a huge mistake by me, and by Chrysler! The Compass is in no way a Jeep it is a cheap expensive semi Jeep in name only!
DUMP IT IF YOU CAN!!!!!
farout
On another note, does anyone also have an issue with the back hatch sounding as if it is open when driving over bumps/potholes? I can swear that it sounds as though the hatch is not closed right, even thought it is.... Another 'design flaw'?? thx, --ja
farout
As for wind noise, I really haven't noticed any. This is such an improved area, since I traded in my '98 Cherokee SE in on the Compass. Can't complain about that. I guess suspect gas mileage, leaking lights and bad hatch latch is enough to complain about. thx, --ja
They initially thought it was the tubing because there is a recall on it or something like that but it wasn't. They had to reseal the entire roof of the car.
Well...wouldn't you know that today it starts to rain and water is pouring in the car again. Not happy about this at all.
The car was purchased 2/17/07 and has 17,000 miles on it now. We aren't sure what out options are but we are getting pretty sick of bringing it into the dealer which is 45 mintues away.
Think we have an options?
In addition, for the other issue I reported with the back hatch. According to the service writer, the latch was okay but they found a service update on the rubber bumpers which press against the hatch. They needed to be upgraded and ordered them for me. Have not gotten a call as of yet, since mid-March, that they are in....
Tell the Service manager and the Dea;ership manager you want the Zone Rep ca;lled and you want a buy back, and maybe you can more into sonething that is a better fit for you.
farout
Well, after having the water expert look at the leak again, they determined that the gasket on the sunroof needed to be replaced. So, after my fourth trip there, it has been replaced. The proof will be when I head home today and see how much rain has gotten in today (lots of rain in New Jersey today) If I see any hint of water, that is it, they need to take action. They also finally replaced the rubber bumpers that hold the rear hatch. Seems to be better as I don't hear any banging as of yet when going over bumps. I am curious to see what refreshing they will do... --ja