2017 Jeep Compass Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Jeep Compass has 229 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 72, ranking 6th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System problems lead at 39% of complaints, followed by Engine at 34%, alongside four recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 72/100
- #6 of 19 Compass years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 229
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2017 Jeep Compass problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System90 (39%)
- Engine77 (34%)
- Other66 (29%)
- Transmission & Powertrain42 (18%)
- Brakes40 (17%)
- Steering16 (7%)
- Airbags10 (4%)
- Fuel System10 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (4%)
- Structure & Body7 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Computer system shuts off unexpectedly while driving at highway speed, followed by warning indicators and reports of smoke.
- Steering becomes difficult to turn accompanied by clicking noise, with reports of the driveshaft detaching and causing a crash.
- Rear doors open unexpectedly while driving at low speed, with a burning odor from the vents that dealers could not diagnose.
- Warning lights illuminate simultaneously with loss of fuel delivery, followed by the steering wheel and brake pedal locking up.
- A small flame or burn marks appear near the windshield and dashboard after using the remote starter feature.
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-to-moderate speed frontal collisions.
2017 Jeep Compass recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V824000Dec 21, 2017Other61,791 vehicles
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. 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.
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.
- NHTSA 17V740000Nov 21, 2017Electrical System25,823 vehicles
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."
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.
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.
- NHTSA 17V433000Jul 7, 2017Other12,989 vehicles
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.
Risk: If a customer follows the User's Guide, they may hook up the battery jumper cables incorrectly, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
2017 Jeep Compass fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Jeep Compass reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2017 Compass has 229 complaints and a complaint index of 72, ranking 6th worst among 19 model years, which puts it in the Caution category relative to other Compass years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Jeep Compass?
- Electrical System issues make up 39% of complaints, Engine problems 34%, Transmission & Powertrain 18%, and Brakes 17%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2017 Jeep Compass have recalls?
- NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2017 Compass, covering electrical instrument panel brightness, a transmission halfshaft engagement issue, fire extinguisher replacement, and a user's guide correction. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2017 Compass compare to other Compass years?
- The 2017 model's complaint index of 72 is worse than years like 2013 (11) and 2023 (17), which carry Best verdicts, but better than 2018 (100) and 2014 (83), which are rated Avoid.
- What mileage do 2017 Compass problems typically show up at?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 28,000 miles, according to NHTSA complaint data.