Jeep Compass owners filed 2,469 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2018 Jeep Compass drew the most complaints (941); across all years, owners complain most about engine (41% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2018, with 941 complaints, led by engine (473) and 6 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Engine drew 1,019 complaints but 2 recalls, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Over-the-air fixes: recall 24V436000 can be repaired by a software update, without a dealer visit (1 of 16).
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2016 (2.1 times as many complaints), 2017 (1.6 times as many complaints), 2018 (6.8 times as many complaints), 2019 (2.4 times as many complaints), 2022 (1.6 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: exterior lights complaints came at a median 2k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 20 complaints mention a fire and 96 a crash, with 63 injuries reported.
Jeep Compass complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 1 recall | 113 | Engine (30), Electrical system (22), Air bags (16) median 62k mi · 4 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2016 1 recall | 293 | Engine (135), Electrical system (62), Transmission / powertrain (44) median 55k mi · 9 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2017 4 recalls | 229 | Electrical system (86), Engine (71), Transmission / powertrain (42) median 28k mi · 10 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2018 6 recalls | 941 | Engine (473), Electrical system (375), Transmission / powertrain (151) median 19k mi · 28 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2019 2 recalls | 329 | Engine (160), Electrical system (143), Transmission / powertrain (37) median 12k mi · 13 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2020 1 recall | 139 | Engine (79), Electrical system (65), Transmission / powertrain (28) median 19k mi · 3 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2021 no recall | 80 | Electrical system (34), Engine (18), Transmission / powertrain (9) median 70k mi · 5 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2022 4 recalls | 222 | Electrical system (102), Exterior lights (50), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (46) median 10k mi · 11 crashes |
| 2023 2 recalls | 45 | Electrical system (13), Engine (7), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (7) median 10k mi · 2 crashes |
| 2024 no recall | 52 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (25), Electrical system (18), Lane departure assist (9) median 12k mi · 6 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2025 no recall | 26 | Electrical system (11), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (10), Lane departure assist (4) median 11k mi · 5 crashes · 1 fire |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 21, more than the 16 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Jeep Compass problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,019 | 41% | 2 | 25k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Electrical system | 931 | 38% | 4 | 23k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Transmission / powertrain | 353 | 14% | 1 | 31k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Brakes | 169 | 7% | 1 | 15k mi | Brake repair cost |
| Exterior lights | 148 | 6% | 0 | 2k mi | Headlight replacement cost |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 147 | 6% | 0 | 23k mi | — |
| Speed control / acceleration | 127 | 5% | 0 | 40k mi | — |
| Fuel system | 123 | 5% | 0 | 21k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Jeep Compass owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Engine
Vehicle started indicating high coolant temperature then engine would shut down. It would restart after shut off. Radio would fade in an out . While vehicle was in motion the engine should shut down and had to pull over and restart the vehicle. This happened on several occasions before the vehicle completely shut down. Towed vehicle to dealership with a repair of $700 to replace both batteries.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11497915
Car dies looses power and stall and multiple lights on dashboard failure causing power failure while driving. Battery's were replaced twice and still problem and car stuck at Jeep dealer and service manager give me a bill $600 for electric diagnostic and $1000 plus taxes to repair.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11645608
Related recalls: 17V670000 (2018): If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. 16V907000 (2016): If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
1,019 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
Vehicle started indicating high coolant temperature then engine would shut down. It would restart after shut off. Radio would fade in an out . While vehicle was in motion the engine should shut down and had to pull over and restart the vehicle. This happened on several occasions before the vehicle completely shut down. Towed vehicle to dealership with a repair of $700 to replace both batteries.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11497915
The uconnect radio/screen has been malfunctioning for 4+ months. It began with small streaks throughout the screen and glitchy radio play. It elevated to half the screen being black and the other half being streaky. Now it is fully black and will not come in. I have viewed countless Jeep forums and this is a problem for thousands.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11627948
Related recalls: 18V524000 (2018): A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash. 17V740000 (2017–2018): 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. 23V576000 (2022–2023): An IPC display that is not bright enough may not clearly show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
931 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Transmission / powertrain
I’ve had plans with my transmission. This is its third time. First two times were under 30,000 miles and still under warranty. And were replaced by the dealer . Using my warranty. There was also a motor fire. Brakes and rotors all the way around mind you all under 30,000. Transmission was put in. I am now at 101,500. And transmissions going out so it’s been parked. Sitting in my garage.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11557337
Seat heat turns on and off randomly by itself. Screen does not always work. Transmission jumped, service transmission came on. Took to dealer. They said updates to the computer system needed done and charged me $450 saying they were not covered by the warranty I bought from mopar.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11601714
Related recalls: 17V301000 (2017): 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.
353 owners reported transmission / powertrain problems; the transmission repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Jeep Compass recalls
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V436000 (OTA) | 2024-06-13 | 2022–2023 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V576000 | 2023-08-14 | 2022–2023 | Electrical system | An IPC display that is not bright enough may not clearly show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V058000 | 2023-02-09 | 2022 | Electrical system | An instrument panel display that is not visible to the driver may result in the inability to see safety-critical information, such as the fuel gauge and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V248000 | 2022-04-14 | 2022 | Seats | Improperly welded head restraints can result in an increased risk of injury to seat occupants during a crash. |
| 20V208000 | 2020-04-09 | 2019–2020 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash. |
| 18V524000 | 2018-08-09 | 2018 | Electrical system | A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 18V523000 | 2018-08-09 | 2018–2019 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 18V279000 | 2018-05-01 | 2018 | Suspension | If the lower control arm separates, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V824000 | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | Equipment / accessories | If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire. |
| 17V740000 | 2017-11-21 | 2017–2018 | Electrical system | 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. |
| 17V732000 | 2017-11-21 | 2018 | Air bags | In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, unsecured inflator mounting nuts outside of the cushion assembly are potential projectiles that may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 17V670000 | 2017-10-24 | 2018 | Engine and cooling | If the oil pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 17V433000 | 2017-07-07 | 2017 | Equipment / accessories | If a customer follows the User's Guide, they may hook up the battery jumper cables incorrectly, increasing their risk of injury. |
| 17V301000 | 2017-05-09 | 2017 | Transmission / powertrain | 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. |
| 16V907000 | 2016-12-16 | 2016 | Engine and cooling | If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash. |
| 15V878000 | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | Steering | If the power steering fluid return hose detaches, it would leak fluid and increase the risk of a fire. |
What this data can and can't tell you
2,469 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Jeep models in the index
- Jeep Cherokee (7,347)
- Jeep Wrangler (6,869)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (4,849)
- Jeep Renegade (2,200)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.