2020 Jeep Compass reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2020 Jeep Compass holds 140 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 15 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Compass years here — under the median of the other years, which is 18. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Linkages.

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

Complaints

140

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (79 of 140), then Electrical system (66) and Powertrain (28). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Compass has 329 complaints, 31 per year, and the 2021 has 80 complaints, 10 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

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 2020 Jeep Compass. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (1)

Recall visibility, windshield wiper, linkages 2020-04-09 · NHTSA campaign 20V208000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (140 total)

Engine

Electrical system

Powertrain

Speed control

Service brakes

Steering

Forward collision avoidance

Fuel and propulsion system

Visibility and wipers

Wheels

Engine and engine cooling

Exterior lighting

Suspension

Tires

Air bags

Back-over prevention

Lane departure

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Equipment

Structure

Show 12 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"My start/stop battery keeps dying , causing my regular battery to die !"
Electrical system · filed 2026-09-23
"I drove myself and my passenger to our destination without issue. After the vehicle was parked for approximately three hours, I started it and drove toward the exit lane leading to the main road. I stopped completely…"
Powertrain, Electrical system, Service brakes · filed 2026-09-11
"Unknown. Vehicle has been inspected prior for electrical issues while under warranty. Dealer claims no issue. Backup camera does not work, vehicle temperature settings are not accessible on screen."
Electrical system · filed 2026-08-25
"Within the first month of ownership I began hearing a noise from the right front of the vehicle consistent with a brake or suspension issue. I reported this to the selling dealer repeatedly during that first month; it…"
Steering, Suspension, Wheels · filed 2026-07-27
"Vehicle shuts off randomly. Restarts after stopping but it’s consistent as if the car over heated yet the coolant temperature reads 194-200"
Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2026-07-01

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2020 Jeep Compass SUV AWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars
2020 Jeep Compass SUV FWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 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 9-speed	All-wheel drive	22	30	25 MPG	$2600
Compass four-wheel drive	2.4L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	All-wheel drive	22	31	25 MPG	$2600
Compass front-wheel drive	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	22	31	25 MPG	$2600
Compass front-wheel drive	2.4L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	23	32	26 MPG	$2500

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 2019 Jeep Compass Next year 2021 Jeep Compass See every Jeep Compass model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Jeep Compass reliable?

What are common problems with a 2020 Jeep Compass?

Is the 2020 Jeep Compass more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2020 Jeep Compass been recalled?

The 2020 Jeep Compass has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Jeep Compass?

Owners have filed 140 complaints about the 2020 Jeep Compass with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Jeep Compass get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Jeep Compass is 25.3 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).