This page covers 7 recalls, 227 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Jeep Compass.
21–25 mpg combined
9.4–11.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 7 tested variants for this model year.
The 2017 Jeep Compass received an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. In frontal crash testing, it earned 3 stars. Side crash protection was rated at 5 stars, while rollover resistance received 4 stars. Side pole crash testing resulted in a 5-star rating. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this rating covers the 2017 Compass.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine and electrical complaints dominate what 2017 Jeep Compass owners report. On the engine side, the most common pattern is unexpected stalling, the vehicle cuts off while driving or at idle, often with no warning lights or stored codes, and sometimes restarts after a short delay only to stall again. Dealers frequently report finding nothing wrong. The electrical system draws nearly as many complaints, with owners describing multiple warning lights illuminating simultaneously, erratic instrument behavior, and various modules behaving unpredictably. Powertrain complaints round out the top three, with owners reporting shuddering and rough engagement. A secondary pattern that appears across multiple reports involves the front wheels running abnormally hot, accompanied by shaking or vibration, with ABS and traction control lights coming on during low-speed driving.
227
Total Complaints
10
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Jeep Compass has 7 recalls, the most serious being a front halfshaft that can pull free from the transmission or snap, cutting drive power and eliminating the park function, which can allow the vehicle to roll.
On the visibility side, two recalls address the instrument cluster backlight. On certain vehicles, the brightness cannot be adjusted by the driver, and a cluster that is stuck at full brightness at night can wash out the driver's view of the road ahead. A related filing covers vehicles where the light sensor fails to detect the shift from daylight to darkness and adjust accordingly, producing the same effect of an overly bright display when conditions are dim.
The vehicle was also supplied with a fire extinguisher that may not discharge when activated. A fire extinguisher that fails to operate when needed leaves a fire with no means of suppression, raising the risk of injury.
There is also a problem with the owner's manual. The jump-start diagram in the User's Guide shows battery terminal polarity in reverse, meaning a driver who follows the printed instructions will connect jumper cables backwards. Reversed cable connections can send current the wrong direction through a battery, causing it to spark, overheat, or rupture.
At a glance
What can fail
The fire extinguisher may clog and fail to spray, or require excessive force to use. In some models, the nozzle may separate from the valve assembly with enough force to cause injury and make the extinguisher unusable.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Chrysler will provide a replacement fire extinguisher at no cost. Contact Kidde or Chrysler to arrange the replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster's light sensor may not correctly detect when it transitions from day to night, preventing the dashboard display from automatically adjusting to proper brightness levels.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software to fix the light sensor calibration.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument cluster backlight brightness cannot be adjusted, which doesn't meet federal safety standards for vehicle controls and displays.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the instrument cluster software at no cost to restore brightness adjustment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Your owner's manual shows battery jump-start terminals in reversed polarity. Following the incorrect diagram could cause electrical hazard injury.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace your owner's manual with a corrected version showing proper terminal polarity.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The User's Guide contains a battery terminal graphic with reversed polarity labels, which could lead to incorrect jump-starting connections.
What the fix does
Chrysler will replace the User's Guide with a corrected version at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On some vehicles with a 6-speed Aisin transmission, the left front halfshaft can separate from the transmission or break, causing loss of engine power and parking function.
What the fix does
Dealers will check that the left front halfshaft is properly connected to the transmission and replace it if it is not.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left front halfshaft may not be properly seated in the transmission. If not properly engaged, it can slip out of the transmission or break.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the left front halfshaft and replace it if it is not properly engaged in the transmission.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
