Home · 2017 Jeep Compass · Complaints

What 228 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Jeep Compass

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (228)Crash / fire / injury (13)Electrical system (86)Engine (71)Transmission & drivetrain (42)Brakes (27)Steering (15)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (12)Airbags (10)Fuel system (10)Speed control (10)Suspension (7)

71 of 228 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 1 of 3

Feb 3, 2026Transmission & drivetrainEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11715198

Feb 2, 2026Electrical systemAirbagsEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11714975

Sep 12, 2025Electrical systemEngine

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 accelerate properly

NHTSA ODI 11686836

Apr 29, 2025SteeringBrakesEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11657423

Apr 9, 2025Electrical systemEngine

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

NHTSA ODI 11653786

Feb 20, 2025Electrical systemAirbagsEngine

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, lights started flashing on the dash, including the airbag light, and then all at once shut completely off, lights went out, would not start back up at all. I had it towed back to my house and now it will not start up at all. I replaced a bunch of parts to it and then that is when I discovered that it was the whole wiring box under the wheel well that had corrode a bunch of wires. When hooking up the battery to try and jump it to. see if it would start, the wires that were loose started sparking and almost caught fire.

NHTSA ODI 11643897

Jan 17, 2024Electrical systemEngine

Auto stop/start will malfunction and show a message saying to cut the car off and start it again. This poses a huge safety issue as it can cause an accident from not starting up and shutting off when it stops. Car also says “please park safely car will shut off soon”. My alternator has been checked and the aux battery and regular battery have been replaced as well so they are unable to figure out why I’m getting this message.

NHTSA ODI 11566123

Dec 8, 2023Engine

The engine malfunctioned on the freeway causing my brother to have to pull to the side as safely as possible. The engine was smoking and all of the electrical systems started to fail. It said it was overheating.

NHTSA ODI 11559069

Oct 30, 2023SteeringElectrical systemEngine

I was traveling northbound on ih35 near exit 329 outside of Waco, Tx travel to Dallas Tx I was in the middle of the highway during rainfall when my jeep completely shut down on me without warning all lights came on radio went black, brake was stiff, steering wheel locked. I had to have my jeep towed $300 later. My vehicle was in park and the vehicle said not in park. Vehicle wouldn’t start up. I was in the 3rd lane of a 4 lane highway when the vehicle stalled and shut off easily could have gotten hit from oncoming traffic. I was on the side of the road for 5 hours not knowing what was wrong with my vehicle. I had a full tank of gas and fluids were A1. I looked up my vin with no recalls being shown. Googled the issue and nothing has been done for anyone that has experienced this scary situation.

NHTSA ODI 11552592

Sep 28, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep compass. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The message to “Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shutoff Soon” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure could be related to the electrical system. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11547124

Jul 17, 2023Electrical systemEngine

the auto start/stop function shuts vehicle off and unable to start gain my safety and of others was high as it happens on multiple lane highways unable to reproduce as it can happen randomly, there were no warning lights or any other sign of future stalling or complete shut down when stopping.

NHTSA ODI 11532724

Jul 17, 2023Electrical systemEngine

My Jeep was manufactured August 2016 directly after a recall for camshaft position sensory and crankshaft position sensor. For the past 3 years I have gotten a periodical check engine light for the camshaft position sensor in bank 1. Two weeks ago the engine began to stall at random times and the camshaft position sensor light came back on. I replaced it this weekend and the issue is persisting. I've checked everything else and there are no other codes that are pulling. I have had it inspected at my employment since I work for a dealership. The engine stalling on the highway is putting me and other drivers at a huge safety risk. I have almost been hit three times when it has stalled and there is nothing I can do in the middle of the road.

NHTSA ODI 11532766

Jul 6, 2023Parking BrakeEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. After several minutes the vehicle accelerated at a high speed with the check engine warning light, and the electric parking brake warning light illuminated. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle come to a stop and started jerking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the electronic brake pedal however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the throttle body was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no recall for the failure. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 121,000.

NHTSA ODI 11530683

May 4, 2023SteeringElectrical systemEngine

While driving at highway speeds, the engine shut off and power steering is disabled. The dashboard says that the car is still on and will not restart the car. This is an EXTREEMLY dangerous situation, and my family is lucky to be alive. The problem had been reproduced by Christian Brother Automotive. They have replaced the camshaft sensor as well as the batteries and updated the firmware of the car. The issue continues to persist, and Christian Brothers will not release the car to me. No the Vehicle has not bee inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative. No Warning lamps, messages or other symptoms presented themself prior to the problem. After about 20 minutes the car is can be restarted and will operate as normal until it automagically cuts out the next time.

NHTSA ODI 11520454

Apr 21, 2023Engine

Coolant temperature heating with no root cause issue. Dealership cannot diagnose. And no recalls when there are tons of people posting about this

NHTSA ODI 11518372

Jan 3, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled a second time. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11499982

Sep 9, 2022Electrical systemEngine

Issues staring the car, dealership makes me buy a new battery and that’s not the problem. Still after spending money on a new battery, it’s a problem. 13.4 v and it still has issues starting. Sometimes it starts and will NOT let me leave park. I am exhausted of these issues and constantly missing work because of this car the whole point in buying a 2017 car was for it to be reliable, and instead I’m having a problem even starting it!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11483686

Jul 12, 2022EngineCrash

On July 9th 2022 the car showed a low oil pressure warning then shut down going around a curve but I was able to restart the vehicle. Within a few minutes I was stopped at an intersection and the car stalled again and I was unable to restart it which resulted in my car being rear ended. On July 12 th I contacted my Jeep dealership to discuss this and I was told that a recall was done on the car due to this same problem. Apparently the repair did not fully correct the problem as it happened to me AFTER the completed recall. Fortunately no one was seriously injured this time but…

NHTSA ODI 11473613

Apr 28, 2022Engine

Engine shuts down while driving. I could be in traffic and car just shuts down, could cause major accident if I'm not by side of road or on highway! I brought it to my mechanic. The oil pressure low light came on only once .... not even due for oil change!

NHTSA ODI 11462654

Feb 12, 2022Speed controlEngineFuel system

I got my 2017 jeep compass in 2018 had no issues truly until about a year ago. The check engine light came on and it would jerk a little goin up hill well got a coder and it said o2 so I changed all the spark plugs and o2 and it still is on now the thunder bolt light flashes I loose power and the yellow skid mark comes on I have to turn car off let it reprogram like 10 min and it acts ok for a few min now it's so bad it won't even go 10 miles . I'm goin to have the throttle and sensor changed hopefully that fixes it.

NHTSA ODI 11451711

Nov 1, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

My vehicle continually stalls when driving or at stop lights. Sometimes it will start back up other times I have to have it towed.

NHTSA ODI 11438936

Oct 5, 2021Engine

Was towed into shop on 4/13/20 jeep would not start, the dealer said it was the battery. Took to shop on 3/9/21 the jeep was stalling out at red light and would not start back up, it took several times to start on a busy highway! Dealer said oil was low and did a consumption test! On 8/17/21 the jeep stalled at a busy light and would not start back up, I had to call 911 to get a officer behind me so I wouldn’t get hit, I had to tow the jeep back to the dealer . The dealer said the oil was low again . On 10/4/21 the jeep stalled out again at the light and would not start it took me over 5 minutes to get it stated! The only light that came up was the transmission need service now, the dealer look at the jeep and said it was both batteries gone bad! My concern is it keeps stalling out at lights in drive and will not start back up! Which puts myself at risk of being hit from behind! Another thing is when this happens there is no warning lights coming up to let me know what is wrong!

NHTSA ODI 11435628

Sep 17, 2021Electrical systemEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shutoff without warning. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start-up after multiple attempts. The vehicle had to be jump started. The vehicle was taken to Classic Honda of Midland (3705 W Wall St, Midland, TX 79703) and they offered no assistance. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they discovered that the battery was defective; however, after multiple replacements, the failure continued. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11433395

Jan 31, 2021Electrical systemBrakesEngine

I COULD NOT START MY JEEP FRIDAY MORNING BY PUSHING IGNITION BUTTON. THE DASHBOARD AND LIGHTS ALL CAME ON BUT THE JEEP WOULDN'T TURN OVER. YES, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES, TANK HAS GAS, DOOR WAS CLOSED. AFTER 3 FAILED ATTEMPTS I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND TRIED STARTING JEEP WITH MY KEY FOB, NO LUCK. LOOKED INSIDE DASH AND IT READ AUTO START DISABLED. I TRIED TURNING OFF JEEP SINCE THE DASHBOARD AND LIGHTS WERE STILL ON AND NO LUCK, THEY STAYED ON. MY NEIGHBOR DROVE ME TO MY ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON APPT. WHEN WE RETURNED, THE JEEP WAS STILL ON AND MY FAMILY SHOWED UP TRYING THE FOLLOWING: CHANGE BATTERIES TO KEY FOB. CHECKED CABLES AND CAR BATTERY. AFTER THOSE THINGS THE DASHBOARD READ "PUT CAR IN PARK" MY CAR OF COURSE WAS IN PARK. I COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK SINCE IT NEVER STARTED!!! I BOUGHT AT A DEALERSHIP IN MOBILE AL WHEN I LIVED IN BILOXI. CAN'T TAKE IT BACK TO THAT DEALERSHIP UNTIL AFTER HIP SURGERY HERE IN FLORIDA'S VA. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU, [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11390848

Nov 17, 2020Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS BACK N FORTH VERY BAD. ONLY 71,649 MILES. NEED TO FIX IT. PLEASE.

NHTSA ODI 11375118

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Working with the data? Download all 228 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Jeep Compass verdict →