2017 Jeep Compass Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 19, 2026 · 229 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Compass years
Far more complaints than other years 6th of 20 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 229 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Compass. That ranks 6th out of 20 Compass model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (86 complaints, 38%), typically at around 21,000 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Jeep Compass
Jeep_Compass_(J4U) in Stuttgart. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2017 Jeep Compass problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System86 · ~21,000 mi
Engine71 · ~29,000 mi
Unknown or Other64 · ~23,200 mi
Power Train42 · ~39,082 mi
Service Brakes24 · ~23,000 mi
Steering16 · ~36,453 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)12 · ~21,000 mi
Air Bags10 · ~30,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System10 · ~11,500 mi
Vehicle Speed Control10 · ~30,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems8638%21,000“start stop” (8%)—
Engine problems7131%29,000“shut off” (23%)—
Unknown or Other6428%23,200——
Power Train4218%39,082——
Service Brakes2410%23,000——
Steering167%36,453——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)125%21,000——
Air Bags104%30,000——
Fuel/propulsion System104%11,500——
Vehicle Speed Control104%30,000——
Suspension83%31,453——
Exterior Lighting63%8,800——
Wheels42%29,550——
Parking Brake31%10,000——
Seats31%36,220——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic31%125,000——
Back Over Prevention21%35,000——
Interior Lighting21%4,000——
Latches/locks/linkages21%61,000——
Seat Belts21%78,500——
Structure21%190,000——
Equipment10%30,000——
Forward Collision Avoidance10%———
Other/unknown10%3——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 53 complaints
2017: 132017132018: 312018312019: 522019522020: 532020532021: 132021132022: 132022132023: 222023222024: 122024122025: 112025112026: 920269

n = 229 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2017 Jeep Compass recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

EquipmentDec 21, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V824000 · 61,791 vehicles

Problem: 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

Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panelNov 21, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V740000 · 25,823 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: An instrument cluster that is too bright, and cannot be dimmed, can reduce the driver's ability to see at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Equipment:other:owners/service/other manualJul 7, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V433000 · 12,989 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If a customer follows the User's Guide, they may hook up the battery jumper cables incorrectly, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Power train:axle assembly:axle shaftMay 9, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V301000 · 4,705 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the left front halfshaft disengages or breaks, the vehicle will have a loss of drive. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without using the parking brake, the vehicle may roll, despite being in 'Park.' Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment (PE19014) — opened Sep 9, 2019, closed Feb 25, 2026.
  • Electrical overstress (EA19001) — opened Apr 19, 2019, closed Sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V024.
  • Northwest Chrysler Jeep Dodge Sale Issue (AQ17004) — opened Aug 18, 2017, closed Nov 23, 2020.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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 frightening to control than before. While driving, the Jeep will suddenly veer toward…

Steering · received Sep 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11765444

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.), caused music to suddenly start playing at loud volumes, caused it to call random…

Unknown or Other · received May 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11739861

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 purchase, the mileage was 110,246 and the next day the mileage was 154,085. Since…

Electrical System · received Apr 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11728909

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 can’t find anything wrong!!!

Electrical System · received Mar 31, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11728362

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 over to the right side of the road, turned off, and exited the vehicle to inspect…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Mar 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11727337

Other Jeep Compass years

← 2016 Compass · 2018 Compass →

See all Jeep Compass problems by year, every Jeep model, or the Jeep VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Compass?

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, unknown or other problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 86 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2017 Jeep Compass?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2017 Jeep Compass a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Compass model years, the 2017 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.