NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Jeep Compass[1]. The engine group is named most often, with 83 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car. Here are the groups, biggest first.
- Engine. 83 complaints[2]. Owners describe the car shutting off or stalling, at stops and while driving. Some say they had to put it in park and restart it, and a few describe cars coming close to being hit from behind.
- Electrical system. 66 complaints[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe warnings about hot coolant followed by a shutdown, screens and cameras going dark, and trouble starting the car.
- Unknown or other. 29 complaints[7]. These reports do not point to one named part.
- Power train. 29 complaints[8]. Owners describe a warning that the gear is not in park, shifting that feels wrong, and worries about oil.
- Steering. 8 complaints[9]. Owners describe the car shutting off and making it harder to steer, and a noise from the front of the car.
- Brakes. 7 complaints[10].
- Speed control. 7 complaints[11].
- Forward collision avoidance. 4 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Compass is necessarily included.
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages (20V208), April 2020. About 425,599 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Compass FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[14] | 22 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 |
| Compass FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 23 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Compass 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[15] | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 |
| Compass 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[16] | 22 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2020 Jeep Compass with 2.4L 4-cylinder[18] | 180 to 184 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2020 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 435 | 4 |
| 2008 | 172 | 0 |
| 2009 | 64 | 1 |
| 2010 | 81 | 2 |
| 2011 | 188 | 3 |
| 2012 | 184 | 4 |
| 2013 | 80 | 1 |
| 2014 | 307 | 2 |
| 2015 | 113 | 1 |
| 2016 | 293 | 1 |
| 2017 | 229 | 4 |
| 2018 | 946 | 6 |
| 2019 | 330 | 2 |
| 2020 | 143 | 1 |
| 2021 | 81 | 0 |
| 2022 | 225 | 4 |
| 2023 | 49 | 2 |
| 2024 | 53 | 0 |
| 2025 | 29 | 0 |
| 2026 | 5 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the Compass show 143 complaints and 1 recalls for 2020[3]. Among the 20 model years listed, 9 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 10 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (5) and the most are for 2018 (946)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2020 Compass?
The 2020 Jeep Compass has a clear pattern in the owner reports. Engine and electrical complaints lead the list, and owners describe the car shutting off on them[2][6]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, so they show what owners experienced, not how often it happens across all cars[1]. The page lists one recall for 2020[3]. If you are shopping for one, check the recall section above and ask for service records on any shutdown or warning light.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Jeep Compass?
- Engine complaints lead the list with 83[2], followed by the electrical system with 66[6]. Owners describe the car shutting off and warning messages.
- Does the 2020 Jeep Compass have recalls?
- Yes, the by-year data shows 1 recall for 2020[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists it.
- How many complaints are there for the 2020 Jeep Compass?
- NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file[1]. These are unverified owner reports.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Jeep Compass?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2020 Jeep Compass reliable?
- Look at the problems section for what owners report[1]. The by-year section shows how 2020 compares with other model years.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Jeep Compass
Compare all model years of the Jeep Compass
Similar cars from 2020: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Jeep Compass (3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 83 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,100). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Compass model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Compass FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 66 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V208, filed April 9, 2020: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Compass FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Compass 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Compass 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2020 Jeep Compass with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 180 to 184 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMPASS 4DR SUV AWD: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,327 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMPASS 4DR SUV FWD: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,183 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMPASS 4DR SUV TRAILHAWK 4X4: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,633 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov