Most common 2017 Jeep Compass problems
Share of the 229 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Compass complaints by model year
Best Compass years: 2013, 2015, 2021. Years to avoid: 2018, 2022, 2019, 2014, 2016. Compare all years →
2017 Jeep Compass recalls (4)
Equipment
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
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.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2017 Jeep Compass:
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early…
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Northwest Chrysler Jeep Dodge Sale Issue
NHTSA opened AQ17-004 to determine whether Northwest Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Houston, Texas (Northwest) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations.
What 2017 Jeep Compass owners say
Electrical system all 86 →
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shutoff without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start-up after multiple attempts. The vehicle had to be jump started. The vehicle was taken to Classic Honda of Midland (3705 W Wall St, Midland, TX 79703) and they offered no assistance. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they discovered that the battery was defective; however, after multiple replacements, the failure continued. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
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 owning the vehicle, the contact stated that the mileage had gone back and forth between the two mileages. The contact obtained a vehicle history report online, which confirmed that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle history report showed that on December 12, 2025, the mileage was 177,382.
Engine & cooling all 71 →
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. After several minutes the vehicle accelerated at a high speed with the check engine warning light, and the electric parking brake warning light illuminated. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle come to a stop and started jerking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the electronic brake pedal however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the throttle body was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no recall for the failure. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 121,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH in the middle lane, the vehicle stopped unexpectedly. While accelerating, there was an abnormal grinding and clanking metallic sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. After three hours of being stranded on the roadway, the vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic determined that the failure was related to the drive shaft, transfer case, and driver's side front half shaft. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,851.
Transmission & drivetrain all 42 →
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights illuminated, and the steering wheel and the front passenger's side of the vehicle were shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact stopped the vehicle to inspect it and became aware that the front passenger's side wheel was extremely hot to the touch. The contact deactivated the Traction Control light, and the failure was temporarily corrected before recurring. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V301000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. …
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking, and the contact noticed a burning odor. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fractured half-shaft. The contact was informed that the half-shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V301000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer several times; however, the failure recently became a persistent failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,862.
2017 Jeep Compass engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 32 / 26 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 31 / 25 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 28 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 9-speed automatic | AWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | AWD | 22 / 31 / 25 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | AWD | 22 / 27 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 22 / 26 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Jeep Compass a good car?
Based on 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Compass rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the Compass at the same age. It is one of the Compass years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Jeep Compass?
The electrical system — 86 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the engine & cooling (71) and transmission & drivetrain (42).
How many recalls does the 2017 Jeep Compass have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2017 Jeep Compass, the most recent from December 21, 2017 (equipment). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Compass?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2015 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2022, 2019, 2014 and 2016. See the full Jeep Compass years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Jeep Compass problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 76% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.