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2017 Jeep Compass Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Jeep Compass carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering instrument cluster/panel and equipment. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Uconnect touchscreen delamination with ghost touches.” Jeep vehicles use the Oil Change Indicator system to signal when oil is due. Wrangler and Gladiator owners who actually use 4WD off-road should treat the schedule below as Schedule A (severe) — water crossings, sand, and rock crawling demand differential and transfer case service at half the published intervals. Grand Cherokee and Cherokee follow the standard Mopar schedule.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Campaign #17V740000 · Nov 21, 2017

Issue: 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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

EQUIPMENT

Campaign #17V824000 · Dec 21, 2017

Issue: 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

Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Fix: 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 is T82.

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Campaign #17V301000 · Sep 5, 2017

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Campaign #17V433000 · Jul 7, 2017

Issue: 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.

Risk: If a customer follows the User's Guide, they may hook up the battery jumper cables incorrectly, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Jeep Compass.

Reported to NHTSA

Uconnect touchscreen delamination with ghost touches

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

12 NHTSA complaints · 2020-09 → 2026-05

“When driving the 2017 Jeep Compass, a bubble which has formed on the touchscreen causes it to randomly change different settings (such as turning on the heated seats/steering wheel, turning on the AC or heat, etc.)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11739861
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11619266
“Touch screen on radio/dash is delaminating causing ghost touches. The delamination has caused issues with AC/heating since it glitches and presses what it wants”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11479301

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension and steering component failure

STEERING, POWER TRAIN

16 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2026-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11132442
“MY 2017 JEEP COMPASS HAS BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH STEERING/PULLING. THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT WERE FOUND TO BE EXCESSIVELY LOOSE/WORN AT 43,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11359915
“ON 11/23/20 I WAS AT QUIRK CHRYSLER JEEP DEALER GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 33,906 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11376499

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Active headrest inadvertent deployment

AIR BAGS, SEATS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2025-07

“My front passenger active headrest deployed while parked”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11677084
“Driver side headrest has deployed, and there was no warning or notification prior to this happening”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11573513
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADREST POPPED OPEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11327603

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption causing engine stall

ENGINE

31 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2025-04

“ENGINE STALLS AT ANY SPEED DUE TO LOW OIL. 2.4 ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION TO THE DEGREE OF SHUTTING DOWN IN BETWEEN 5000 MILE OIL CHANGES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11289341
“ENGINE HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JUST STALL OUT. RECOMMENDED 5000 OIL CHANGES BUT DEALERS WILL SAY 3000 AND TO CHECK OIL EVERY 2 DAYS BECAUSE IT MAY NEED 4-5 QTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11301719
“ENGINE OIL AND STALLING. I WENT FOR MY 2ND OIL CHANGE 8/27/2018. THE SERVICE TECH AND A MECHANIC LISTENED WHEN I SAID THE OIL WAS BASICALLY GONE AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO ADD 2 QUARTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11124329

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and shutdown tied to auto stop-start system

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE

71 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2026-03

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11631692
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11566123
“2017 JEEP COMPASS LIMITED HAS EXPERIENCED 5 EPISODES OF STALLING AFTER COMING TO A STOP. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO STOP/START FEATURE AND EACH TIME THE AUTO STOP/START TURNS BACK ON, JUST AS THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND SHUTS OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11253310

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical wiring fire and burning odor

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2025-02

“SHORT VERSION: I USED THE REMOTE STARTER ON MY COMPASS. AS I WAS DRIVING, I NOTICED A SMALL RED LIGHT BETWEEN MY WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD. THE RED LIGHT TURNED INTO A VERY SMALL BRIGHT ORANGE FLAME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11298278
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE REAR DOORS OPENED AND A BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VENTS WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11173579
“Wiring compartment under the front wheel well is completely eroded away which caused my vehicle to completely stop driving and turning on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11643897

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag failure to deploy in frontal crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2022-10

“Air bags did not go off in accident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11490254
“I RAN A STOPLIGHT AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 25-35 MPH. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS DRIVERS SIDE FRONT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11405115
“I TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55MPH WHEN A DEER JUMPED ONTO THE ROAD. I HIT THE DEER SMASHING THE FRONT END OF MY 2107 JEEP COMPASS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11300488

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 3 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 8,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: SAE 0W-20 every 8,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: SAE 5W-20 every 8,000 miles. EcoDiesel 3.0L: 10,000 miles. 4xe plug-in hybrid: 8,000 miles or annually.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate tires every 8,000 miles. Wrangler with 33+ inch off-road tires: rotate every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear from solid axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 8,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 8,000 miles. Wrangler and Gladiator pads wear faster than Grand Cherokee due to higher curb weight per axle.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace front differential fluid every 60,000 miles. Wrangler off-road use (water crossings, sand): inspect every 30,000 miles for water contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Rear axle fluid every 60,000 miles. Limited-slip differentials require Mopar friction modifier. Wrangler Rubicon with locking differentials: same schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 60,000 mi

Replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 for NV3500 and NV245. Wrangler Rock-Trac: 60,000 mi normal, 30,000 mi with regular off-road use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage. Wrangler off-road use accelerates moisture intake — annual fluid testing recommended.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ZF 8HP)

Every 60,000 mi

Severe service: ZF 8HP fluid every 60,000 miles. Normal: 120,000 miles. Use Mopar ATF+4 — never substitute.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Wrangler driven in dust or sand: inspect at every oil change and replace early.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: 16 spark plugs total, replace at 100,000 miles. Wrangler 392 6.4L HEMI: 16 plugs at 100,000 miles. EcoDiesel: glow plug inspection only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Mopar HOAT Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Mopar HOAT (purple) for gas engines: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolants.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Compass: behind the glove box. Wrangler/Gladiator: optional cabin filter on later models only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

21 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

10

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Jeep Compass reflects Jeep's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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