Last updated: 2026-07-17
Jeep Compass vs KIA Soul: Reliability Compared
Jeep Compass
KIA Soul
Choosing between the Jeep Compass and the KIA Soul? 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 KIA Soul currently leads with an average score of 77/100 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 KIA Soul Generations Compare?
Verdict
The KIA Soul is more reliable than the Jeep Compass, scoring 77/100 vs 75/100.
Both the Jeep Compass and the KIA Soul fall within the compact SUV category, yet the KIA Soul edges ahead in reliability. With an average reliability score of 77/100 compared to the Compass's 75/100, the KIA Soul also has a lower owner complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 sold versus 11.8 for the Compass. Additionally, the Soul has experienced fewer recalls over the past eight years, with 10 compared to the Compass’s 15. Estimated annual repair costs further emphasize the Soul's advantage, averaging $437 compared to the Compass's $526, making it the more reliable choice for consumers seeking fewer issues and lower maintenance expenses.
Key Differences
- 1KIA Soul costs $89 less per year to repair
- 2KIA Soul has 5.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3KIA Soul has 5 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Jeep Compass vs KIA Soul: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Jeep Compass | KIA Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 75/100 | 77/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 15 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 11.8 | 6.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $526/yr | $437/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.2/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 11% | 9% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2025 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Compass and KIA Soul?
The Jeep Compass and KIA Soul exhibit distinct problem profiles with specific areas of concern. The Jeep Compass has a significant number of complaints related to its electrical system, with 593 issues, including 7 crash-linked incidents, indicating a notable area of vulnerability. In contrast, the KIA Soul faces a higher proportion of engine-related complaints, accounting for 410 of its total, though only 2 are crash-linked. Notably, both models exhibit concerns with air bags, but the KIA Soul's air bag issues are more frequently crash-linked, with 24 incidents compared to the Jeep Compass's 18, highlighting a critical safety concern for the Soul.
| Component | Jeep Compass | KIA Soul |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4.1Average | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | 2.6Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | 1Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.2Low | 0.7Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.5Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —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 KIA Soul?
How Does Jeep Compass vs KIA Soul Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Jeep Compass | KIA Soul | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 83/1000R / 13C | 85/1000R / 9C | KIA Soul |
| 2024 | 84/1000R / 34C | 86/1000R / 23C | KIA Soul |
| 2023 | 78/1002R / 43C | 77/1004R / 45C | Jeep Compass |
| 2022 | 70/1004R / 204C | 78/1001R / 78C | KIA Soul |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 70C | 72/1002R / 190C | Jeep Compass |
| 2020 | 76/1001R / 129C | 70/1001R / 338C | Jeep Compass |
| 2019 | 70/1002R / 305C | 76/1001R / 123C | KIA Soul |
| 2018 | 61/1006R / 912C | 73/1001R / 199C | KIA Soul |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Jeep Compass scored 84/100 and the 2024 KIA Soul scored 86/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Jeep Compass vs the KIA Soul?
Jeep Compass vs KIA Soul: Common Questions
- Is the Jeep Compass more reliable than the KIA Soul?
- Based on our data, the KIA Soul is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Jeep Compass or the KIA Soul?
- The Jeep Compass has more recalls (15) compared to the KIA Soul (10). 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 KIA Soul?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Soul has a lower complaint rate at 6.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 11.8 for the Jeep Compass. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Jeep Compass or the KIA Soul?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Soul is cheaper to maintain at $437/year versus $526/year for the Jeep Compass.
- Is the Jeep Compass or KIA Soul safer?
- Both the Jeep Compass and KIA Soul received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 4/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Jeep Compass and KIA Soul? 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
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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue