Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Jeep Compass problems

Owners filed 229 complaints about the 2017 Jeep Compass with NHTSA between Apr 2017 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (86).

Complaints
229
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Suspension8
  11. Exterior lighting6
  12. Wheels4
  13. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  14. Seats3

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201713
201831
201952
202053
202113
202213
202322
202412
202511
20269

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

86 reports2 crashes3 fires1 related recall
“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 crashes1 related recall
“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

Service brakes

24 reports
“When driving my Jeep Compass, there have been numerous instances of the vehicle stalling out when slowing down or stopping at a light/stop sign. This has happened on busy roads, at busy intersections, and on country roads. When it happens, I cannot control any aspect of the vehicle; the breaks no longer work, I cannot turn the wheel, I cannot change gears or easily put it into park, and it takes multiple attempts to turn it off and back on. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the incidents occurring, which started on 4/22/2025. Today, 4/29/2025, I checked my oil level and found that it was extremely low, although it should not be and I'm not yet due for an oil change. The Jeep Compass is going through more oil than usual and there is no message or notification showing at any time. I believe that this is the cause of the issues, and makes it extremely unsafe for myself, my passenger and other drivers/vehicles as it has happened on the highway and at intersections, where it could easily result in a serious accident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2025Steering, Service brakes, EngineODI 11657423

Steering

16 reports1 crash
“I am reporting a serious steering/suspension safety problem with my 2017 Jeep Compass. After picking the vehicle up from the dealership following repairs/service, the vehicle was significantly more difficult and frightening to control than before. While driving, the Jeep will suddenly veer toward the shoulder/ditch or toward/over the center line even though I have not intentionally moved the steering wheel in that direction. I have to repeatedly correct the steering to keep the vehicle in my lane. The problem becomes worse and more dangerous as speed increases. There are also multiple popping/clunking noises coming from underneath the vehicle. The steering feels unstable and the vehicle does not consistently track in the direction the steering wheel is pointing. This creates a serious risk of losing control, leaving the roadway, or colliding with another vehicle. The dealership has previously diagnosed problems involving the steering/rack and pinion and has had the vehicle multiple times for repairs. After the most recent service, the steering condition became extremely unsafe. I notified the dealership immediately and provided video showing the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11765444

Electronic stability control (esc)

12 reports1 crash
“2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED WITHIN A MONTH. DEALER CHANGED BATTERIES 1ST TIME. COMPUTER SYSTEM RUNS THROUGH A NUMBER OF MESSAGES STATING VARIOUS SETTINGS ARE NOT WORKING. EXAMPLE: ENGINE LIGHT, AIR BAG, OIL, WITH EVERY WARNING LIGHT THERE IS. VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN ON A BUSY ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS. 15 MIN LATER IT STARTED BACK UP LIKE THERE WASNT A PROBLEM. THERE IS EXCESS OIL USE ALSO. CHANGED OIL, A MONTH LATER, ITS A 1/4 LOW. NO DRIPS EITHER. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2020Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11363790
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

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