An engine that stops by itself, uncomfortable and noisy seats, electrical problems… According to a mechanic, this model guarantees you to have problems.
SUVs are vehicles halfway between a sedan and a 4×4. The fact that they consume more fuel (+15% according to WWF) than equivalent cars in conventional ranges, and therefore that they cost more and pollute more, does not prevent them from being very popular at the moment. In France, it is now the type of car most sold new. According to figures published on September 1, 2025 by the French Automobile Platform, SUVs represented 52% of sales of new vehicles for individuals sold in France between January 1 and August 31, with approximately 544,145 examples sold.
As with any other type of vehicle, people who wish to take the plunge by purchasing an SUV, new or used, or by leasing, have every interest in finding out about the different models on the market. It may be interesting to collect information from sellers or rental companies, to find out their characteristics, but also from users or independent mechanics. The latter are in fact very well placed to know if a vehicle is reliable and is not likely to cause problems, because they see many cars passing by every day!
Some even give their opinions on vehicles on social networks, as is the case of Scotty Kilmer, an American mechanic, who indicates having 50 years of experience in his YouTube biography. In a short published on the platform, he declares : “Today I’m going to tell you about the worst SUV that you should never buy or use.” According to him, it is the Jeep Compass. “I guess they didn’t know what direction they were taking when they created the Compass”continues Scotty Kilmer, affirming that these SUVs “didn’t have enough power, the seats weren’t comfortable, they made all kinds of noises. They are known for electrical problems too. (…) I’ve had customers driving it, and the engine would stop by itself.”he assures.
The mechanic therefore advises his community not to opt for this model if they are looking for a used SUV. Obviously, not all opinions are unanimous, and some Compass owners are satisfied with their vehicle. Before making a decision, it is therefore better to seek advice from an automotive expert or consult user feedback. A test drive is also a good way to get your own idea. The main thing is to check that the vehicle corresponds to your actual uses, your budget, and that it does not present any recurring defects in the models tested.
