Reliable Auto DB

2017 Jeep Compass reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 Jeep Compass holds 229 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 32 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Compass years here — over the median of the other years, which is 16. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Equipment, Instrument cluster, and Owner's manual.

2012 Jeep Compass
Photo by Navigator84, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

229

Per year

32

Recalls

4

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (86 of 229), then Engine (71) and Powertrain (42). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Compass has 293 complaints, 18 per year, and the 2018 has 942 complaints, 140 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Jeep Compass. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall Equipment 2017-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 17V824000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Recall electrical system, instrument cluster 2017-11-21 · NHTSA campaign 17V740000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017-2018 Jeep Compass vehicles. The brightness of the backlighting for the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) cannot be adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update IPC software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 8, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T70.
Recall Owner's manual 2017-07-07 · NHTSA campaign 17V433000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles. The affected vehicles have User's Guides that contain incorrect information regarding the jump start procedure, specifically, the polarity of the battery terminals are reversed in the battery terminal graphic.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners and will replace the User's Guides with a corrected version, free of charge. The recall began August 22, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T46.
Recall powertrain, axle assembly, axle shaft 2017-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 17V301000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles equipped with a 6-speed transmission. The left front halfshaft may not be properly seated, and, as a result, it may disengage from the transmission and/or break.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will inspect the left front halfshaft for engagement and replace any that are not properly engaged in the transmission, free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T26.

Complaints by component (229 total)

Electrical system
86
Engine
71
Powertrain
42
Service brakes
24
Steering
16
Electronic stability control (ESC)
12
Air bags
10
Fuel and propulsion system
10
Speed control
10
Suspension
8
Exterior lighting
6
Wheels
4
Hydraulic brakes
3
Parking brake
3
Seats
3
Back-over prevention
2
Interior lighting
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Seat belts
2
Structure
2
Equipment
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Other or unknown
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

10

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

3

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

13201731201852201953202013202113202222202312202411202592026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I am reporting a serious steering/suspension safety problem with my 2017 Jeep Compass. After picking the vehicle up from the dealership following repairs/service, the vehicle was significantly more difficult and…"
    Steering, Suspension, Wheels · filed 2026-09-19
  • "When driving the 2017 Jeep Compass, a bubble which has formed on the touchscreen causes it to randomly change different settings (such as turning on the heated seats/steering wheel, turning on the AC or heat, etc.),…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-05-25
  • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact had traded a prior vehicle for the Jeep. The vehicle was a private sale. The following day, the mileage jumped nearly 40,000 miles. At the time of…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-04-02
  • "Car just cuts off. Batteries are good, alternator good no codes! Rpm goes to o cuts off parking break comes takes a couple of seconds to start then cuts off at random times while driving very unsafe!!!! Taken to dealer…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-03-31
  • "The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle and the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled…"
    Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-03-26

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Jeep Compass SUV 4WD 4 stars 3 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2017 Jeep Compass SUV FWD 4 stars 3 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Compass four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Four-wheel drive 20 23 21 MPG $3100
Compass four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed All-wheel drive 22 27 24 MPG $2700
Compass four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 20 25 22 MPG $2950
Compass front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-wheel drive 22 26 24 MPG $2700
Compass front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 30 25 MPG $2600
Compass front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 21 27 23 MPG $2800
Compass front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 28 25 MPG $2600

Specs and fitment

MP generation, 2017–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (2.4L Tigershark) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 225/60R17 to 245/45R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 20V208000. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass vehicles. The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions. Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W25.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Jeep Compass Next year 2018 Jeep Compass See every Jeep Compass model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Jeep Compass reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 Jeep Compass holds 229 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 32 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Compass years here — over the median of the other years, which is 16. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Equipment, Instrument cluster, and Owner's manual.

What are common problems with a 2017 Jeep Compass?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (86 of 229), then Engine (71) and Powertrain (42). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Is the 2017 Jeep Compass more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Compass has 293 complaints, 18 per year, and the 2018 has 942 complaints, 140 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Jeep Compass been recalled?

The 2017 Jeep Compass has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Jeep Compass?

Owners have filed 229 complaints about the 2017 Jeep Compass with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Jeep Compass get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Jeep Compass is 23.4 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Compass take?

5W-20 (2.0L and 2.4L)

What does NHTSA recall 16V-668 cover on the Jeep Compass?

NHTSA campaign 16V668000.

What generation is the 2013 Jeep Compass?

MK49 (US) (2012-2016).