Last updated: 2026-03-28
Jeep Compass vs Lexus UX: Reliability Compared
Jeep Compass
Lexus UX
Choosing between the Jeep Compass and the Lexus UX? 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 Lexus UX currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 75/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
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.
The Lexus UX emerges as the more reliable choice between these two compact SUVs, with an impressive reliability score of 80/100 and only two recalls over eight years. It also boasts a low owner complaint rate of 1.2 per 10,000 units, with no common issues identified. In contrast, the Jeep Compass scores slightly lower at 75/100 with a significant 15 recalls and a higher complaint rate of 11.8 per 10,000 units, alongside recurrent problems in several areas such as the electrical system and engine. Additionally, the Compass incurs an estimated annual repair cost of $526, which further underscores the Lexus UX's reliability advantage.
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?
The Lexus UX demonstrates an exceptional reliability profile with only 11 total complaints and no detailed problem data available, suggesting minimal issues across its components. In contrast, the Jeep Compass has a significantly higher complaint volume, totaling 1,710, with notable concerns in the electrical system (593 complaints, 7 crash-linked) and engine (270 complaints, 2 crash-linked). Additionally, the Jeep Compass shows vulnerabilities in the power train and air bags, with 231 and 30 complaints respectively, and a combined 27 crash-linked incidents across these two areas. This data indicates that while the Lexus UX maintains a low incidence of reported issues, the Jeep Compass faces more frequent and severe problems, particularly in safety-critical systems.
| Component | Jeep Compass | Lexus UX |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4.1Average | —None |
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.2Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Jeep Compass or Lexus UX?
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 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
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?
- Based on our data, the Lexus UX is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Jeep Compass or the Lexus UX?
- The Jeep Compass has more recalls (15) compared to the Lexus UX (2). 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 Jeep Compass or the Lexus UX?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus UX has a lower complaint rate at 1.2 per 10,000 sold versus 11.8 for the Jeep Compass. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Jeep Compass or Lexus UX safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Lexus UX has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Jeep Compass. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Jeep Compass comparisons
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
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.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
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.
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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