- What you'll get from Jeep Compass VIN check?
- Jeep Compass Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Jeep Compass VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Jeep Compass
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Jeep Compass VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Jeep Compass VIN.
- 10th Character in the Jeep Compass VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Jeep Compass VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Jeep Compass Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Jeep Compass
- How to find a Jeep Compass's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Jeep Compass
What you’ll get from Jeep Compass VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2019, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN can specify the body class, such as Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) for the Jeep Compass, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Manufacturer Name: The VIN provides the manufacturer name, indicating that FCA US LLC is the manufacturer of the Jeep Compass.
- Engine Configuration: The VIN provides information about the engine configuration, such as In-Line for the Jeep Compass, offering insights into the vehicle’s power and performance characteristics.
- Plant City: The VIN includes the plant city where the vehicle was manufactured, for example, Belvidere for some Jeep Compass models, providing insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing origin.
Jeep Compass Vehicle History Risk Factors
Jeep’s off-road reputation means used examples have often been used hard — a Wrangler or Grand Cherokee with 80,000 miles may have a very different real-world condition than an equivalent mileage sedan. A Bumper VIN check on a used Jeep is essential context.
Death Wobble on Wrangler JK and older models. “Death Wobble” — a violent steering oscillation at highway speeds — is a known issue on Wrangler JK (2007–2018) models related to worn steering and suspension components. It’s exacerbated by off-road use and lift kits. A service history showing steering stabilizer, track bar, or tie rod replacements is informative context for any used JK purchase.
3.6L Pentastar head bolt issues (2011–2014 Grand Cherokee, Wrangler). Early versions of Chrysler’s 3.6L Pentastar V6 had documented head bolt failures that could cause coolant loss and engine damage. This was addressed with a TSB and extended warranty coverage on affected VINs. Check whether the repair has been performed.
Transmission issues on 2014–2016 Jeep Cherokee with 9-speed ZF automatic. The 9-speed automatic transmission in the KL Cherokee generated extensive owner complaints and was the subject of multiple TSBs related to harsh shifting, hesitation, and software issues. Later software updates improved behavior, but early examples remain problematic.
Rust and undercarriage damage on off-road vehicles. Jeep Wranglers and Grand Cherokees used for genuine off-road driving frequently show frame, skid plate, and differential damage that may not appear in insurance records. A pre-purchase inspection is strongly recommended alongside a Bumper history check on any Wrangler with evidence of off-road use.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Jeep Compass VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Jeep Compass VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier, commonly known as the WMI, is the initial sequence of three alphabetical or numerical characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that indicates the manufacturer of the vehicle and the country where it was built. For the Jeep Compass, the WMI plays a crucial role in identifying the brand and the origin of this rugged SUV. The WMIs for the Jeep Compass usually start with 1C4, 1J4, 1J8, or 3C4, with each signifying a unique set of information about the manufacturer and assembling location of the vehicle. As an example, a Jeep Compass with the WMI starting with 1C4 signifies that it’s from FCA US LLC, built in the United States, whereas 3C4 indicates Chrysler de Mexico Toluca as the manufacturer from Mexico. Understanding the WMI is paramount for accessing a wealth of information about the manufacturing and assembly specifics of your Jeep Compass.
List of WMI Codes for a Jeep Compass
WMI: 1J8
- Model Years Covered: 2007-2009
- Example VIN: 1J8FT47007D326780
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 1J4
- Model Years Covered: 2009-2011
- Example VIN: 1J4FT47B09D109624
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 1C4
- Model Years Covered: 2012-2017, 2019
- Example VIN: 1C4NJDEB0CD502069
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 3C4
- Model Years Covered: 2012, 2017-2024
- Example VIN: 3C4NJDBB3CT165315
- Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Santa Fe
- State or Province: Mexico City
- Country: Mexico
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Jeep Compass VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Jeep’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes drivetrain configuration, engine variant, body style, and series level across the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Gladiator lineups. On Wranglers, the VDS is particularly informative because it distinguishes between the 2-door and 4-door (Unlimited) body styles, the 3.6L Pentastar V6, 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, and 6.4L HEMI variants, and whether the vehicle has Command-Trac or Rock-Trac four-wheel drive. For used Wrangler buyers, confirming these details via VDS is important — lifted, modified, and hard-used Wranglers are common in the used market, and a history report paired with accurate factory spec confirmation helps establish the vehicle’s true baseline condition.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Jeep Compass VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Jeep Compass VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Jeep Compass |
| P | 2023 Jeep Compass |
| N | 2022 Jeep Compass |
| M | 2021 Jeep Compass |
| L | 2020 Jeep Compass |
| K | 2019 Jeep Compass |
| J | 2018 Jeep Compass |
| H | 2017 Jeep Compass |
| G | 2016 Jeep Compass |
| F | 2015 Jeep Compass |
| E | 2014 Jeep Compass |
| D | 2013 Jeep Compass |
| C | 2012 Jeep Compass |
| B | 2011 Jeep Compass |
| A | 2010 Jeep Compass |
| 9 | 2009 Jeep Compass |
| 8 | 2008 Jeep Compass |
| 7 | 2007 Jeep Compass |
11th Character in the Jeep Compass VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Jeep Compass Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Fuzhou | Fujian | China | South East Motor (S.E.M.) | 1C4NJDEB2C0838510 |
| B | Fenton | Missouri | United States | St. Louis Assembly South | 1J4NF1FBXBBD13418 |
| C | Detroit | Michigan | United States | Jefferson North Assembly | 3C4NJDCB3JC341341 |
| D | Belvidere | Illinois | United States | Belvidere Assembly | 1J8FT47007D326780 |
| L | Toledo | Ohio | United States | Toledo Supplier Park | 3C4NJDBB4KL595479 |
| M | Mexico City | Mexico | Lago Alberto Assembly | 1C4NJDBB4EMD59167 | |
| S | Warren | Michigan | United States | Warren Truck Assembly | 1C4NJCBB3GS506830 |
| T | Toluca | State Of Mexico | Mexico | Toluca Assembly | 3C4NJDBB3CT165315 |
| W | Toledo | Ohio | United States | Toledo North Assembly | 1C4PJCDSXEW115119 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Jeep Compass
The final 6 characters in a Jeep Compass’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Jeep Compass’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Jeep Compass is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield of your Jeep Compass; the VIN is often visible from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb or the edge of the door itself for a sticker or plate with the Jeep Compass’s VIN.
- Examine the engine block of your Jeep Compass, as the VIN may be stamped onto it.
- Check the vehicle’s insurance or registration documents, as they should list the VIN of your Jeep Compass.
- If your Jeep Compass has a spare tire, sometimes the VIN can be found in the compartment where the spare is stored.
- Review the vehicle’s owner’s manual or service book, as the VIN is usually recorded there when the Jeep Compass was first purchased.
- Look under the front of the vehicle frame, near the windshield washer fluid reservoir, where the VIN might be stamped for some Jeep Compass models.
Don’t have your Jeep Compass’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Jeep Compass
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Optional |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 2400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 146.45698582735 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 180 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | FCA |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Headlamp Light Source | Halogen |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Lane Centering Assistance | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | Compass |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Plant City | Toluca |
| Plant Company Name | TOLUCA NORTH ASSEMBLY |
| Plant Country | Mexico |
| Plant State | Mexico |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Trailhawk |
| Side Air Bag Locations | All Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 9 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | Trailhawk |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 3C4NJDDB*MT |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 103.8 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 17 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 17 |
| Sample VIN | 3C4NJDDB0MT501324 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Jeep Compass for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Jeep Compass?
On most Jeep vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Jeep Compass's history for free?
Enter the Jeep Compass’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Jeep Compass VIN numbers start with?
Jeep Compass VIN's start with 1J8, 1J4, and 1C4 for vehicles manufactured by FCA US LLC in United States, 3C4 for vehicles manufactured by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca in Mexico. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Jeep Compass.
Decode a Jeep VIN
Look up a Jeep Compass by license plate:
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