YearToAvoid

2020 Jeep Compass Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

47/100

#9 most-complained of 16 Compass years

The 2020 Jeep Compass has a Complaint Index of 47 and ranks 9th out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Compass years. NHTSA lists 140 complaints, 1 recall, and 3 crashes, with the Engine the top problem area (83 complaints, 59% share).

Complaints
140
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
3 / 2
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25
22 city / 31 hwy

Top 2020 Jeep Compass problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine83 (59%)
  2. Electrical System67 (48%)
  3. Other30 (21%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain28 (20%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (6%)
  6. Brakes7 (5%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (4%)
  8. Steering6 (4%)
  9. Fuel System4 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers4 (3%)

What owners report

  • Engine stalls or shuts off unexpectedly at stops or while decelerating, sometimes requiring the driver to put the vehicle in park and restart it.
  • Windshield wipers fail to operate during rain, reducing visibility and in one case leading to a crash.
  • Gear actuator seizes after being placed in park, with a dashboard warning that the vehicle is not actually in park.
  • Forward collision avoidance system fails to detect stopped vehicles ahead or reduce speed, requiring manual braking.
  • Brake system issues include unexpected acceleration with the brake pedal engaged and the parking brake activating on its own.
  • Airbags fail to deploy in a low-speed head-on collision, resulting in occupant injuries.
2020 Jeep Compass complaints: complaints filed per quarter212020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
249 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (21).

2020 Jeep Compass recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V208000Apr 9, 2020Visibility & Wipers425,599 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages

    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.

    Risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.

    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.

2020 Jeep Compass fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,600
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.

2020 compared with other Compass years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Avoid100942625
2019Avoid80329225
2020Good47140125
2021Good2780025
2022Avoid93222425

All Jeep Compass years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Jeep Compass reliable?
Compared with other Compass model years, the 2020 has a Complaint Index of 47 and ranks 9th out of 16 years, which earns it a "Good" verdict relative to the rest of the lineup.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Jeep Compass?
The Engine is the top problem area, accounting for 83 complaints and a 59% share of reported issues, with a median mileage at failure of 10,200 miles.
Does the 2020 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2020 Compass, covering a windshield wiper arm that could loosen and reduce wiper performance; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2020 Compass compare to the 2018 and 2019 models?
The 2018 Compass has a Complaint Index of 100 and the 2019 has 80, both rated "Avoid," while the 2020 sits much lower at 47 with a "Good" verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Jeep Compass?
EPA rates the 2020 Compass at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.