Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2017 Jeep CompassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 229 owner complaints for the 2017 Jeep Compass. Most complaints involve electrical system (86) and engine (71). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Dec 2017
Owner complaints
229
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment

Free remedy

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

EquipmentReported Dec 21, 2017NHTSA 17V824000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Nov 21, 2017NHTSA 17V740000

Equipment: owners

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Jul 7, 2017NHTSA 17V433000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

229 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2017 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system86
  2. Engine71
  3. Power train42
  4. Service brakes24
  5. Steering16
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)12
  7. Air bags10
  8. Fuel/propulsion system10
  9. Vehicle speed control10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Compass model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007434
2008172
200964
201081
2011188
2012184
201380
2014308
2015113
2016293
2017229
2018947
2019331
2020143
202181
2022225
202349
202453
202529
20265
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

86 reports2 crashes3 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact had traded a prior vehicle for the Jeep. The vehicle was a private sale. The following day, the mileage jumped nearly 40,000 miles. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 110,246 and the next day the mileage was 154,085. Since owning the vehicle, the contact stated that the mileage had gone back and forth between the two mileages. The contact obtained a vehicle history report online, which confirmed that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle history report showed that on December 12, 2025, the mileage was 177,382.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2026Electrical systemODI 11728909

Engine

71 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH in the middle lane, the vehicle stopped unexpectedly. While accelerating, there was an abnormal grinding and clanking metallic sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. After three hours of being stranded on the roadway, the vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic determined that the failure was related to the drive shaft, transfer case, and driver’s side front half shaft. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,851.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11715198

Power train

42 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights illuminated, and the steering wheel and the front passenger’s side of the vehicle were shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact stopped the vehicle to inspect it and became aware that the front passenger’s side wheel was extremely hot to the touch. The contact deactivated the Traction Control light, and the failure was temporarily corrected before recurring. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V301000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 61,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, Power trainODI 11719884
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Compass FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232825$2,550353
Compass FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233025$2,550347
Compass 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
222724$2,700369
Compass FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222624$2,700378
Compass FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212723$2,800382
Compass 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
202522$2,900400
Compass 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050417
  • Compass FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Compass FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 26 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Compass FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 4WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Compass 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 23 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Jeep Compass SUV FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Overall
4 / 5
Jeep Compass SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 11342Vehicle 11341
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 Compass questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Jeep Compass have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2017 Jeep Compass problems?

Owners filed 229 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (86), engine (71), power train (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Jeep Compass get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Jeep Compass at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Jeep Compass?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Jeep Compass 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026