NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 229 owner complaints for the 2017 Jeep Compass.
Recalled components: equipment, electrical system, and powertrain. Most-described problem: stalling or shutting off (52 complaints, 23%). Most-reported area: electrical system (86 complaints, 38%; median mileage when it happened: 21,000).
More complaints than a typical Compass year
The 2017 drew 96 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 72 for a typical Compass year.
Years to avoid: 2018 and 2022; best years: 2021 and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 listing: COMPASS. Jeep campaign T82.
Electrical system
Nov 21, 2017
instrument cluster/panel
Fails federal standard 101 (controls and displays)
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.
The fix and full notice
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.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017-2018 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles.
The left front halfshaft may not be properly seated, and, as a result, it may disengage from the transmission and/or break.
Risk: If the left front halfshaft disengages or breaks, the vehicle will have a loss of drive. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without using the parking brake, the vehicle may roll, despite being in 'Park.' Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T26.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles equipped with a 6-speed transmission.
NHTSA listing: COMPASS. Jeep campaign T26.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations that name the 2017 Jeep Compass, not counting audit queries; both are closed. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Active head rest inadvertent deployment
Preliminary evaluation PE19014Closed Feb 25, 2026 (opened Sep 9, 2019)
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… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: COMPASS. Component: Seats (front assembly, head restraint).
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.
NHTSA listing: COMPASS. Component: Air bags (air bag/restraint control module). This investigation names 46 models.
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 229 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Compass. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Stalling or shutting off52 · 23%
Median 30,000 miles at failure, from 35 reports with mileage
Median 21,000 miles at failure, from 55 reports with mileage
Engine71 · 31%
Median 29,000 miles at failure, from 47 reports with mileage
Powertrain42 · 18%
Median 39,100 miles at failure, from 35 reports with mileage
Brakes27 · 12%
Median 26,000 miles at failure, from 18 reports with mileage
Steering16 · 7%
Stability control12 · 5%
Air bags10 · 4%
Unknown or other64 · 28%
Median 23,200 miles at failure, from 38 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Jeep Compass recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2017 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2018 Compass drew the most (421) and the 2017 drew 96.
Owner complaints
2017: 229 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Jeep Compass
Model year
Complaints
2010
81
2011
188
2012
184
2013
80
2014
308
2015
113
2016
294
2017
229
2018
951
2019
333
2020
143
2021
82
2022
226
2023
49
2024
55
2025
30
2026
5
Safety recalls
2017: 4 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Jeep Compass
Model year
Recalls
2010
2
2011
3
2012
4
2013
1
2014
2
2015
1
2016
1
2017
4
2018
6
2019
2
2020
1
2021
0
2022
4
2023
2
2024
0
2025
0
2026
1
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Jeep Compass, the problems described most are stalling or shutting off (52), the engine not starting (21), and auto start-stop problems (20). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2017 Jeep Compass safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2017 Jeep Compass earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2017 Jeep Compass?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no open investigations for the 2017 Jeep Compass, not counting audit queries. It lists 2 closed ones; the most recent closed on Feb 25, 2026.
How do I check if my Compass has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Jeep dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: COMPASS.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.