Jeep Compass Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 1,077 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Jeep Compass across 20 model years. The 2018 model year has the most (377). The words owners use most often: “start stop” (10% of reports).
- 1,077electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 14mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Start stop: mentioned in 104 of 1,077 complaints (10%)
- Coolant temperature: mentioned in 58 of 1,077 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 420 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,077 complaints, 14 mention a crash, 18 a fire, 6 an injury.
Jeep Compass electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Compass | 2 | 40% | — |
| 2025 Compass | 11 | 41% | 6,516 |
| 2024 Compass | 18 | 34% | 12,000 |
| 2023 Compass | 14 | 30% | 26,172 |
| 2022 Compass | 104 | 46% | 11,500 |
| 2021 Compass | 34 | 42% | 80,000 |
| 2020 Compass | 66 | 46% | 33,000 |
| 2019 Compass | 143 | 43% | 19,000 |
| 2018 Compass | 377 | 40% | 21,000 |
| 2017 Compass | 86 | 38% | 21,000 |
| 2016 Compass | 62 | 21% | 57,000 |
| 2015 Compass | 22 | 19% | 66,885 |
| 2014 Compass | 36 | 12% | 75,000 |
| 2013 Compass | 13 | 16% | 53,000 |
| 2012 Compass | 24 | 13% | 50,000 |
| 2011 Compass | 20 | 11% | 59,000 |
| 2010 Compass | 7 | 10% | 48,836 |
| 2009 Compass | 5 | 11% | 114,979 |
| 2008 Compass | 4 | 4% | 85,490 |
| 2007 Compass | 29 | 11% | 94,012 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2022, 2023
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Compass vehicles. The brightness level of the instrument panel cluster (IPC) may not be adjustable due to incorrect software in the body control module (BCM). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk: An IPC display that is not bright enough may not clearly show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 29, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 88A.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2022
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Compass vehicles. The instrument panel center cluster display may be insufficiently illuminated and may not appear visible during daytime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk: An instrument panel display that is not visible to the driver may result in the inability to see safety-critical information, such as the fuel gauge and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the windshield and headlamp switch, add a light sensor module, and add a wiring jumper harness to allow the instrument panel center cluster display backlighting to function correctly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 15A.
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Model years: 2018
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2017, 2018
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.
Electrical system:software; seat belts; air bags:side/window
Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.
Risk: In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I purchased my 2022 Jeep Compass Latitude FWD brand new on April 4, 2022, from AutoNation Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Houston. Just eight days later, on April 12, 2022, I began reporting serious engine stalling and Auto Stop/Start malfunctions. The vehicle repeatedly shuts off in traffic and fails to…
In July 2026, I began receiving two warnings in sequence: (a) the airbags were not operating properly, and (b) the SOS call function was unavailable. Screenshots of both warnings are attached. It took several visits to a nearby dealership before the service department correctly identified and…
Back-up camera (reverse) is inoperable. Camera image is black.
Aux battery failed; start/stop, stopped at a red light car shut off in start/stop mode, when I went to drive my car went into limp mode and emergency break engaged and every single light on my dash came on. I had to turn car off in the intersection. Once I turned the car back on every light came…
My start/stop battery keeps dying , causing my regular battery to die !
Frequently asked questions
Do all Jeep Compasss have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,077 owner complaints about electrical system for the Jeep Compass. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Jeep Compass electrical system?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Jeep Compass?
The most frequent phrase is “start stop”, in 104 of 1,077 complaints, followed by “coolant temperature” (58).
Other Jeep Compass problems
- Engine problems (1,248)
- Power Train problems (529)
- Air Bags problems (273)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (269)
- Suspension problems (235)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (216)
- Service Brakes problems (213)
- Steering problems (203)
See all Jeep Compass problems.