2009 JEEP COMPASS, WITH 31,278 MILES SHOWED EXCESSIVE WEAR IN BOTH THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND OUTER TIE ROD END. THOUGH COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ISSUE IS REFLECTIVE OF OUR SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH OUR 2007 JEEP PATRIOT. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE BOTH THE JEEP COMPASS AND PATRIOTS FOR A DESIGN FLAW IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. A LOWER CONTROL/BALL JOINT/TIE ROD FAILURE, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CAN RESULT IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR
2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR SIDE VIEW MIRROR IS A MOTORIZED MIRROR AND HAS A HEATING ELEMENT INSIDE THE MIRROR. SOMETHING ELECTRICAL INSIDE THE MIRROR CAUSED ENOUGH HEAT FOR THE MIRROR TO MELT AND GO ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, UNOCCUPIED AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. *TR