2017 Jeep Compass Safety Report
2017 Jeep Compass Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Jeep Compass
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Jeep Compass. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (224) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 13 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Jeep Compass with 73 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Jeep Compass before buying across this generation. |
Jeep Compass Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Jeep Compass years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Jeep Compass | 915 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Jeep Compass | 280 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Jeep Compass | 309 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Jeep Compass | 112 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Jeep Compass | 129 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Jeep Compass | 73 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Jeep Compass Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Jeep Compass, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
32 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Jeep onlyElectrical System
23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Jeep onlyEngine
23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Jeep onlyPower Train
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Jeep onlyElectrical System,Engine
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Jeep onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Jeep onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Jeep Compass
Reliability Score
The 2017 Jeep Compass receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Jeep Compass
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Jeep Compass
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Jeep Compass:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Instrument cluster and panel issues have been reported, leading to potential safety hazards. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bags Air bags have failed to deploy in some cases, posing a risk to passengers. |
Low | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Service Brakes Service brakes have malfunctioned, leading to unexpected stops and unsafe driving conditions. |
Low | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Axle Assembly Axle shaft issues have been reported, causing the vehicle to become unsafe during turns and stops. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Jeep Compass:
Issues with the instrument cluster and panel are the most common electrical problems.
Air bag failures have been reported, but are less frequent.
Service brake malfunctions have been reported, but are less frequent.
Axle shaft issues are the most common power train problem.
Recall Details for the 2017 Jeep Compass
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Jeep Compass by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 v...
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: 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 i...
Summary: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If a customer follows the User's Guide, they may hook up the battery jumper cables incorrectly, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Jeep Compass
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Jeep Compass with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
Tire rods and suspension failed vehicle is unsafe to operate .
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 ...
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 d...
I was approaching a stoplight and every light on the dash lit up, the car wouldn’t go after stopping and it wouldn’t turn off when put in park. I also couldn’t shift into any other gear. This is seriously dangerous and not the first time I’ve had major mechanical issues with this vehicle.
My lights keep blinking on dashboard saying 4 wheeldrive isn't available and my vehicle keeps shutting off in the middle of me driving it,this is very dangerous,I took it to Carlock Dodge Jeep and for recall on vehicle that they say was causing the problem they fixed the recall but vehicle still doing the same thing
While driving, my parking break will turn on and halt the car. It usually is around when there is an issue with my auto start/stop.
While attempting to do a U-turn on two different occiasions once the U-turn has been completed the car would stop and turn off. There was not power. Would attempt to restart the car and it would not. Needed to get a jump-start for the car to start. One other time when attempting to do a U-turn the car would act as if would stop, in this case did not but took about 2 miles before it would accelerat...
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was violently shaking. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking, and the contact noticed a burning odor. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fractured half-shaft. The contact was informed that the half-shaft needed to be replace...
My front passenger active headrest deployed while parked.
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 m...
When driving the vehicle it has shut off the engine and stalled, it also shut off and a few milliseconds later restarted on the highway has done the multiple time
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the driver’s side front seat belt unclipped and failed to secure the occupant. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Wiring compartment under the front wheel well is completely eroded away which caused my vehicle to completely stop driving and turning on. When looking at the whole wiring harness under the wheel well, wires were completely falling out of where they connect to the fuses because of how bad the erosion is. I was driving my car with my 4 year old child in it on the highway and it started to jerk, lig...
Unknown
Auto Start Stop feature stop working and caused my car to stall. I had to set my car to stop, take my foot of the break. Re started my car, all while traffic was going, in danger of getting rear ended.
Uconnect radio screen has severe delamination. This caused ghost presses on the screen. The ghost presses continuously make random phone calls including calls to emergency services. This poses a severe safety hazard as the operator has to pick their phone up to communicate with emergency personnel so law enforcement does not send a responding officer thinking there’s an emergency. It also poses a ...
Car shakes when on hill hadly
The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that several warning lights were illuminated after restarting the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,955.
While driving Jeep losses power and stops. At garage now and they can’t find reasonable explanation. Has less than 50k miles. Danger while driving since it just shuts off while no lights come on to indicate problems
Showing 20 of 224 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 Jeep Compass
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Seats
Opened 2019-09-09 · Closed 2026-02-25
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deploy...
Component: Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Elec...
Component: Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Opened 2017-08-18 · Closed 2020-11-23
NHTSA opened AQ17-004 to determine whether Northwest Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Houston, Texas (Northwest) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehic...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Jeep Compass
Has the 2017 JEEP COMPASS been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 JEEP COMPASS has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 JEEP COMPASS have?
The 2017 JEEP COMPASS has 224 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 10 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 JEEP COMPASS?
The 2017 JEEP COMPASS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 3/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 JEEP COMPASS?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 JEEP COMPASS involve unknown or other (32 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints), engine (23 complaints). Other affected components include power train, electrical system,engine, electrical system,unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2017 JEEP COMPASS have?
There are 10 crash reports associated with the 2017 JEEP COMPASS out of 224 total complaints (4.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 JEEP COMPASS have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2017 JEEP COMPASS out of 224 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 JEEP COMPASS?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 JEEP COMPASS.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 JEEP COMPASS?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 JEEP COMPASS. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 JEEP COMPASS?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 JEEP COMPASS is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 224 complaints, 4 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 JEEP COMPASS?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 JEEP COMPASS are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (32 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (23 complaints), 3. ENGINE (23 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (15 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (10 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 32 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 JEEP COMPASS?
Be cautious of electrical system and power train issues, as they can lead to unsafe driving conditions. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2017 JEEP COMPASS has 224 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2017 JEEP COMPASS?
The 2017 JEEP COMPASS receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 224 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 13 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Air Bags.
What are the known issues with the 2017 JEEP COMPASS?
Known issues with the 2017 JEEP COMPASS include: Electrical System, Air Bags, Service Brakes, Axle Assembly. These are based on patterns found across 224 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2017 Jeep Compass?
Common issues include electrical system problems and power train issues, particularly with the axle assembly.
Can electrical system issues affect the safety of the vehicle?
Yes, issues like instrument cluster problems can lead to unsafe driving conditions.
What should I do if I experience unexpected stops or brake failures?
Seek immediate professional inspection and repair to ensure the safety of your vehicle.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system and power train issues, as they can lead to unsafe driving conditions. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Jeep Compass
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Jeep Compass. The data includes 224 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 10 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Jeep Compass an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 3 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16