NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 229 owner complaints for the 2017 Jeep Compass.
4Safety recalls
229Owner complaints
10Complaints citing a crash
3Complaints citing a fire
Data: NHTSA recall and complaint filesUpdated Sep 27, 2026
Recalled components: equipment, electrical system, and powertrain. Most-reported area: electrical system (86 complaints, 38%; median mileage when it happened: 21,000). For 2017 Jeep sold the previous-generation Compass alongside the new one; both are included.
4 safety recalls for the 2017 Jeep Compass
Newest first. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for the fix and the full notice.
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.
What owners report
The areas named in the 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Compass. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Electrical system86 · 38%
Median 21,000 miles at failure (55 reports)
Engine71 · 31%
Median 29,000 miles at failure (47 reports)
Powertrain42 · 18%
Median 39,100 miles at failure (35 reports)
Brakes27 · 12%
Median 26,000 miles at failure (18 reports)
Steering16 · 7%
Stability control12 · 5%
Air bags10 · 4%
Unknown or other64 · 28%
Median 23,200 miles at failure (38 reports)
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
2016
293
2017
229
2018
942
2019
329
2020
140
2021
80
2022
222
2023
46
2024
52
2025
26
2026
4
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
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.
Tested version
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Jeep Compass SUV 4WD
Rollover risk 16.4%
Jeep Compass SUV FWD
Rollover risk 18.5%
Questions
What are the most common 2017 Compass problems?
The areas owners name most often in NHTSA complaints: electrical system (86), engine (71), powertrain (42). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can name several areas.
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.
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 Sep 27, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Sep 26, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
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.