Last updated: 2026-10-10
Jeep Compass vs Lexus UX: Reliability Compared
Jeep Compass
Lexus UX
Lexus UX beats Jeep Compass on reliability by a clear margin. Owners filed 11 complaints on the UX against 1,710 on the Compass. The Compass still rates good, but its stalling and coolant reports have no counterpart in the UX data.
How Do the Jeep Compass and Lexus UX Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Lexus UX is more reliable than the Jeep Compass, scoring 80/100 vs 75/100.
Clear edge to the Lexus UX, and the deciding reason is the volume and severity of owner complaints. Owners filed 11 on the UX against 1,710 on the Compass, and federal recall records show 2 recalls for the UX against 15. The Compass still holds a good standing, so it is not a bad buy. But its stalls, coolant mixing, and steering failures are serious, and the data shows nothing comparable for the UX.
Key Differences
- 1Lexus UX has 13 fewer total recalls
- 2Lexus UX has 10.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Lexus UX scores 5 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Jeep Compass vs Lexus UX: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Jeep Compass | Lexus UX |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 75/100 | 80/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 15 | 2 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 11.8 | 1.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2025 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 (1 tied) | 4 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Compass and Lexus UX?
Stalling defines the Compass. Owners describe the engine shutting off with a dashboard full of warnings, a false coolant temperature alert, and power steering going heavy. Worse reports involve coolant mixing with oil or transmission fluid, a blown head gasket, and failed steering racks. Crashes are linked to its electrical, power train, steering, and engine problems, with power train the highest at 9. The UX has only 11 complaints, and the data lists no problem areas or crash-linked categories for it. That gap is the main difference between the two.
| Component | Jeep Compass | Lexus UX |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4.1Average | —None |
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.4Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Jeep Compass vs Lexus UX Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Jeep Compass | Lexus UX | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 83/1000R / 13C | 77/1001R / 2C | Jeep Compass |
| 2024 | 84/1000R / 34C | 80/1000R / 1C | Jeep Compass |
| 2023 | 78/1002R / 43C | 80/1000R / 1C | Lexus UX |
| 2022 | 70/1004R / 204C | 80/1000R / 2C | Lexus UX |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 70C | 80/1000R / 2C | Tie |
| 2020 | 76/1001R / 129C | 84/1000R / 0C | Lexus UX |
| 2019 | 70/1002R / 305C | 77/1001R / 3C | Lexus UX |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Jeep Compass scored 84/100 and the 2020 Lexus UX scored 84/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Who Should Buy the Jeep Compass vs the Lexus UX?
Jeep Compass vs Lexus UX: Common Questions
- Is the Jeep Compass more reliable than the Lexus UX?
- No. The Lexus UX has a clear edge, with an excellent standing against good for the Compass. Owners filed 11 complaints on the UX and 1,710 on the Compass. Federal recall records also show far more recalls for the Compass, 15 across its model years against 2 for the UX.
- Which has more recalls, the Compass or the UX?
- The Jeep Compass has more. Federal recall records show 15 across its eight model years from 2018 to 2025. The Lexus UX has 2 across its eight model years from 2019 to 2026. Check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before buying either.
- What are the most common Jeep Compass problems?
- Electrical faults lead, with 593 complaints. Owners describe sudden stalls, many warnings at once, and start-stop failing to restart. Engine shutoffs with a false coolant warning, oil burning, and coolant mixing into oil or transmission fluid also appear. Failed steering racks show up around 63,000 miles.
- Are the Compass stalling reports dangerous?
- They can be. Electrical complaints include 7 crash-linked reports, and two describe crashes after stalls in traffic. When the engine stops, steering and brakes can turn stiff. Dealers often cannot reproduce the fault, so ask for a clean service history before you buy.
- Which model years of the Compass and UX should I avoid?
- For the Compass, avoid 2018 and 2022, its weakest years. For the UX, avoid 2019 and 2025. The 2020 UX is a strong pick. The 2026 UX also ranks well, but it has had less time to collect complaints.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Jeep Compass comparisons
Decided between Jeep Compass and Lexus UX? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Jeep Compass and Lexus UX
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
See incorrect data? Report an issue