2017 Jeep Compass Problems: 13 Known Issues

On the 2007-2017 Jeep Compass, first-generation Compass models (2007-2017) equipped with the Jatco CVT2 continuously variable transmission suffer from overheating, slipping, shuddering, and premature failure. The CVT fluid breaks down under heat stress, causing the pulleys to wear and the belt to slip. Overheating is especially common in hot weather, stop-and-go traffic, or when towing. "Transmission Over Temp" warnings are extremely common.

On the 2017-2022 Jeep Compass 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir2, the 948TE nine-speed automatic can make harsh 1-2 or 2-3 upshifts, which FCA's parts note for 2021 models calls a known issue. Separately, a misaligned reaction shaft can wear its bushing early, turning on the check-engine light with code P1DB7 (torque converter clutch performance). Applies to: Compass 4x4 models with the 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir2 and the 948TE nine-speed (sales code DFH). The TCM software update in bulletin 21-023-21 covers 2021 Compasses built on or before July 8, 2021; the reaction-shaft bulletin 21-040-25 lists 2017-2023 (MP) Compass with the 948TE. Front-wheel-drive 2017-2021 Compasses use the Aisin six-speed instead, and 2023-on US Compasses use an eight-speed automatic, so neither is covered.

On the 2014-2017 Jeep Compass, for 2014-2017 the first-generation Compass replaced the CVT with a Hyundai-built PowerTech 6F24 six-speed automatic. Owners report harsh or sloppy shifts after the adaptive learn period, hunting between gears, lack of power, jerking/lurching from a stop and a lurch when started in Park. Dealers address most cases with a transmission control module flash and adaptive relearn. The unit has no serviceable filter (it is inside the case) and owners find the SP-IV M fluid dark by 30,000 miles despite FCA's 'lifetime' fill.

On the 2017 Jeep Compass, on 4,705 early 2017 second-generation Compass with the Aisin 6-speed automatic, the left front halfshaft may not have been fully seated in the differential during assembly. The shaft can walk out of the transmission or break, causing sudden loss of drive, and because the parking pawl acts on the transmission side the vehicle can roll away while showing Park if the parking brake is not set.

On the 2017-2022 Jeep Compass, owners of second-generation Compass 4x4 models report the power transfer unit (PTU) at the transaxle leaking gear oil, in some cases at low mileage, with dealers replacing a seal or quoting a new unit. Applies to: Second-generation (MP) Compass with 4x4 (Jeep Active Drive), 2017-2022. The owner reports found are from 2019 models. Front-wheel-drive Compasses have no PTU. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 16,000 miles on a 2019 and 32,000 miles on a 2019.

On the 2017 Jeep Compass, 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles equipped with a Kidde plastic-handle or push-button 'Pindicator' fire extinguisher are included in NHTSA recall 17V824000. The recalled extinguishers can become clogged. A clogged unit may not discharge as expected, or may require excessive force to activate. On certain Kidde models the nozzle can also come off the valve assembly with enough force to cause injury, which simultaneously renders the extinguisher useless. Nothing about the Compass's engine, electrical or safety systems is implicated — the defect is in the extinguisher that came with the vehicle, so the check is a physical one: find the extinguisher and read its model number against the NHTSA list at https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf.

On the 2017-2021 Jeep Compass 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir2, owners of second-generation Compasses report the small auxiliary stop/start battery failing, with stop/start switched off, a "Service Start/Stop" or battery message, and in some cases a main battery drained overnight and a no-start. FCA's general diagnostic guidance for dual-battery vehicles links code P00FD to a discharged, faulty or disconnected auxiliary battery or its wiring. Applies to: Second-generation (MP) Compasses with the 2.4L Tigershark and engine stop/start (standard, with dual batteries, per the 2021 specification sheet). The owner reports found are from 2020 and 2021 models. FCA STAR case S2008000075 is diagnostic guidance filed with NHTSA for several FCA vehicles, including 2017-2021 Compass; it is not a Compass defect finding.

On the 2017-2022 Jeep Compass, owners of second-generation Compasses report doors that stop power locking or unlocking. On a 2018, one rear door's lock clicked but the door would not lock or unlock from the fob or its button; on a 2021, the electric locks stopped working on every door while the key still worked; on a 2020, the locks and front windows stopped working with the engine running. Applies to: Second-generation (MP) Compass, 2017-2022. The owner reports found are from 2018, 2020 and 2021 models. FCA's door-latch guidance (STAR S2523000003 Rev A) lists 2017-2026 Compass among several Stellantis models, its passive-entry handle guidance (S2623000040) lists 2020-2026 Compass, and NHTSA files its door-harness case (S2108000106) against 2020-2021 Compass only. None of these is a Compass defect finding. Mileage when it happened, as stated in the linked owner reports: 21,900 miles on a 2018.

On the 2017-2023 Jeep Compass, two separate software defects left the second-generation Compass cluster stuck at one brightness. 17V740 (T70) covered 25,823 2017-2018 vehicles whose instrument-cluster software would not allow the backlight to be dimmed, so the display glares at night. 23V058 (2022) and 23V576 (88A, 181,999 2022-2023 vehicles built Feb 17, 2021 - Jul 26, 2023) cover incorrect body-control-module software that prevents the driver from adjusting the panel brightness, a FMVSS 101 non-compliance.

On the 2007-2018 Jeep Compass, the MK Compass (shared platform with the Patriot and Caliber) wears out the front lower control arm rear bushings and the inner/outer tie rod ends early - many owners report replacement between 40,000 and 80,000 miles. Symptoms start as a clunk or pop through the floor when accelerating from a stop or crossing bumps, then progress to steering wander and uneven inner tire wear. FCA also issued a Rapid Response instruction to verify the lower control arm front mounting bolt torque (above roughly 92 lb-ft) because factory under-torque produced the same clunk. On MP cars the same corner was addressed by NHTSA recall 18V-279 for defective lower control arm welds on 2017-2018 models.

On the 2017-2022 Jeep Compass, owners of second-generation Compasses report rainwater getting in after rain or washing, at the rear cargo-area air vent, around the rear seat-belt opening or onto the floor. Suspected entry points differ between cars: owners name blocked or disconnected sunroof drains and the roof-rack mounts, and on one 2018 the dealer found and sealed a leak at the cowl below the windshield. Applies to: Second-generation (MP) Compass, 2017-2022. The owner reports found are from 2018-2020 models. First-generation (2007-2016) Compasses are not covered here.

On the 2007-2020 Jeep Compass, the plastic gears inside the temperature blend door actuator strip, so the actuator motor free-spins and ratchets. Owners hear a rapid tick-tick-tick from behind the glovebox or center dash for several seconds after startup and every time the temperature or mode is changed, and one side of the cabin (or the whole system) gets stuck blowing only hot or only cold. The failure is common on the MK Compass and carries into the MP; the recirculation and mode actuators use the same gear train and fail the same way. It is a wear item rather than a control-head fault, so replacing the climate control head does not fix it.

On the 2017-2021 Jeep Compass, owners of 2017-2018 Compasses report the Uconnect touchscreen freezing and not responding, or shutting off and restarting over and over. FCA's general Uconnect guidance links freeze-and-reset events to radio software below application version QR37.4, and continual reboots with a USB stick plugged in to MP3 files converted from AAC format. Applies to: Pre-2022 Compass Uconnect radios, 2017-2021. The owner reports found are from 2017 and 2018 models. FCA filed its freeze/reset guidance (STAR S2108000098) with NHTSA for 2019-2021 Compass and many other FCA models, and its USB reboot guidance (S2108000127) for 2018-2021 Compass and other models; neither is a Compass defect finding.