Last updated: 2026-05-15

Dodge Hornet vs Jeep Compass: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Dodge Hornet and the Jeep Compass? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Jeep Compass currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 59/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Jeep Compass is more reliable than the Dodge Hornet, scoring 75/100 vs 59/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Jeep Compass scores 16 points higher in reliability
  2. 2Jeep Compass has 9.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  3. 3Dodge Hornet has 2 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

1Dodge Hornet
2Jeep Compass
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Dodge Hornet vs Jeep Compass: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Hornet vs Jeep Compass at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricDodge HornetJeep Compass
Reliability Score59/10075/100
Years Tracked38
Total Recalls1315
Complaints per 10k Sold21.711.8
Year Wins03

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Hornet and Jeep Compass?

Dodge Hornet vs Jeep Compass common problem areas comparison
ComponentDodge HornetJeep Compass
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNone4.1Average
ENGINENone1.9Low
POWER TRAINNone1.6Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHERNone1.2Low
STEERINGNone0.5Very Low
SERVICE BRAKESNone0.3Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNone0.2Very Low
AIR BAGSNone0.2Very Low
SUSPENSIONNone0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNone0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNone0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENone0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPERNoneNone
LANE DEPARTURENoneNone

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Dodge Hornet vs Jeep Compass Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Hornet vs Jeep Compass year-by-year reliability scores
YearDodge HornetJeep CompassEdge
202564/1002R / 1C83/1000R / 13CJeep Compass
202454/1007R / 60C84/1000R / 34CJeep Compass
202359/1004R / 25C78/1002R / 43CJeep Compass

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Dodge Hornet scored 64/100 and the 2024 Jeep Compass scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Dodge Hornet vs Jeep Compass: Common Questions

Is the Dodge Hornet more reliable than the Jeep Compass?
Based on our data, the Jeep Compass is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 59/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Dodge Hornet or the Jeep Compass?
The Jeep Compass has more recalls (15) compared to the Dodge Hornet (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Hornet or the Jeep Compass?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Jeep Compass has a lower complaint rate at 11.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 21.7 for the Dodge Hornet. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Decided between Dodge Hornet and Jeep Compass? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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