Compass (2nd)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Reliability Overview
The 2nd-generation Compass mirrors the Renegade reliability story on a slightly larger body. The same 2.4L Tigershark NA dominates the file, the same recall arc trails the same engine family, and the same 2023 powertrain refresh divides the generation into two distinct halves. Across 2017-2025, the Compass carries 1,729 NHTSA complaints, 14 recalls, 11 fires, and zero deaths. The complaint load is substantial by Compact SUV standards, but the fatality record suggests the failure modes are mechanical rather than crash-causing.
The 2.4L Tigershark (2018-2022, 184 hp) owns 1,604 of those 1,729 complaints, or 93%, and posts 320.8 complaints per year against a Compact SUV segment average of 31.24. The rating algorithm flags it "avoid" at 1.7, and that score reads honestly. Engine and electrical complaints split nearly evenly at 734 and 694. The Tigershark generates roughly equal grief from the powertrain itself and the wiring that supports it. Transmission complaints (232 on the same engine, paired with the FCA 9-speed automatic the early Compass shipped with) round out the top three categories. All 11 fires across the generation came from Tigershark cars.
The 2.0L turbo Hurricane that arrived for 2023 reads as a different vehicle. With 92 complaints across three model years and no fires, the 200-hp Hurricane runs at 30.7 complaints per year, near the Compact SUV segment baseline. The rating algorithm grades it "caution" at 3.2, which reflects sample-size limits more than confirmed engineering problems. Safety systems and electrical complaints lead the early Hurricane data at 41 and 36; engine complaints sit at 14 across the three-year window. The cleaner trajectory makes 2023-2025 Compass the obvious shopping target if the brand and platform are non-negotiable.
The recall record carries one durable signal worth flagging. The 2017-2018 instrument-panel-cluster brightness recall (17V740) re-emerged in 2023 against 2022-2023 cars as 23V576, same defect class six years apart, with Stellantis software groups apparently unable to make the fix stick. The 2018 Cherokee and Compass 2.4L oil pump housing crack recall (17V670) parallels the Renegade's 18V131 from the next year, marking a Tigershark-family weakness that ran across multiple Jeep nameplates. Other recalls cluster on the suspension control arm welds (18V279), rear brake caliper pistons (18V523, multi-brand), passenger airbag inflator nuts (17V732), windshield wipers (20V208, shared with Ram 1500), and seat head restraint welds (22V248). The pattern is recognizable Stellantis: shared-supplier defects cascading across multiple brand nameplates and getting addressed reactively across several campaigns.
The shoppable side of this generation starts in 2023. The Hurricane 2.0T's small sample doesn't yet confirm long-term reliability, but the Tigershark's complaint density is too high to recommend on volume alone. Cross-shoppers should compare against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 for cleaner reliability records, the Mazda CX-5 for tighter build quality, and the Hyundai Tucson for warranty length. Within the Stellantis family, the Renegade is functionally end-of-life in the U.S. and the Cherokee has been discontinued, so the Compass is now the brand's primary compact-SUV offering. That position carries an obligation to prove the 2.0T can sustain a clean record beyond the current short data window.
Engine Reliability Ratings
Jeep Compass Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
2.0T-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 200 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
2.4-I4-Gas
2.4L 4-cyl / 184 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
3.0T-I4-Diesel
3.0L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Jeep Compass regardless of engine variant.
Buyer's Guide
If the goal is to shop the Compass on reliability grounds, restrict the search to 2023+ build dates with the 2.0L Hurricane turbo. The earlier 2.4L Tigershark cars rate "avoid" at 1.7 across all five model years (2018-2022) and carry the recall stack that includes 17V670 (oil pump housing crack on 2018 cars), 18V279 (front control arm welds), 18V523 (rear brake caliper pistons, multi-brand), and 17V740 (IPC brightness, re-recalled as 23V576 on 2022-2023 cars). Even a 2022 Compass at the end of the Tigershark run is shopping into the same engine-and-electrical complaint profile that dominated the early years.
Inspection priorities before buying any Compass in the Tigershark range: verify the oil pump housing recall (17V670) has been performed on 2018 cars and confirm no signs of weep at the front of the block; check the engine cooling fan operation since electrical-system complaints touch the cooling circuit; test the rear brakes for proper engagement (the 2018-2019 caliper piston recall covered Compass and several FCA siblings); confirm the dash IPC adjusts to all brightness levels (the original 2017 recall plus the 2023 re-recall both target this); and check the seat head restraint mount for proper weld integrity on 2022 cars.
For the 2.0T Hurricane on 2023-2025 cars, the most recent recall activity is the 24V436 back-over-prevention sweep (multiple Stellantis nameplates) and the 23V576 IPC software re-recall. The dataset is too thin to identify long-term failure patterns, so the inspection priorities collapse to standard used-vehicle items: service records, software updates current, and the multi-brand recall ID numbers cross-checked at NHTSA against the VIN. The 2.0T is the only Compass engine currently rating above the segment baseline, and it's the version worth carrying home.
Recalls (14)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Compass vehicles. The brightness level of the instrument panel cluster (IPC) may not be adjustable due to incorrect software in the body control module (BCM). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Compass vehicles. The instrument panel center cluster display may be insufficiently illuminated and may not appear visible during daytime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Compass vehicles. The front seat head restraints were not welded properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass vehicles. The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles. The front lower control arms may be incorrectly welded, potentially resulting in a control arm separation.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Compass vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
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
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."
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles. The passenger side air bag assembly may have inflator mounting nuts loose within the module assembly.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles equipped with a 6-speed transmission. The left front halfshaft may not be properly seated, and, as a result, it may disengage from the transmission and/or break.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2017-2025 Jeep Compass problems?
The 2017-2025 Jeep Compass has accumulated 1,729 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Electrical System, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Jeep Compass engine is most reliable?
The 2017-2025 Jeep Compass was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L Turbo 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2017-2025 Jeep Compass a good used car?
The 2017-2025 Jeep Compass can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,729 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017-2025 Jeep Compass have?
The 2017-2025 Jeep Compass has 1,729 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2017-2025 Jeep Compass?
There are 14 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2017-2025 Jeep Compass vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Jeep Compass?
Before buying a used Jeep Compass, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Electrical System, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Compass?
The 2025 Jeep Compass received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 3 stars (20.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,729 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.