2023 Jeep Compass Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2023 Jeep Compass, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Jeep Compass, 2017 to 2024 model years
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0
How the 2023 compares

Too new to judge fully

It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Compass year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 38,000 miles.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Compass years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Jeep Compass. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (15, 31% of complaints), followed by the driver assist systems and the steering. That is the fewest complaints of any Compass year from 2012 to 2024 on file. It has 2 recalls.

Complaints49filed with NHTSA
Recalls2for this model year
Crashes21 injury reported
Fires0reported in complaints
Own one?

Get recall alerts for your 2023 Compass

Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.

Add it to My Garage
Shopping for one?

Start a free car search

Tell us what you want in a 2023 Compass and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.

Start my car search

Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2023 Jeep Compass before you buy.

Electrical system

15 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost power and completely stalled. The warning message "Performance limited, fuel system error" illuminated. Approximately one week prior, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the same failure. The failure was diagnosed as a…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the instrument panel was illuminated while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the battery had failed and needed to…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 38,074 miles

Driver assist systems

11 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (6).

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The automatic emergency braking / collision avoidance system engages randomly when there is no risk of collision and often times with no cars or obstacles in sight. For example, when driving on an open interstate highway. Without any apparent reason, the collision avoidance system alerts of an imminent collision and the automatic…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact leased a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the Navigation screen font was too small. While attempting to adjust the heater and radio, the driver was unable to stay in the lane while utilizing the screen. The Lane Keep Assist started beeping while driving. The contact pulled over to adjust the electrical system. There…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 10,000 miles

Steering

9 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

My vehicle is a 2023 jeep compass. I just had to replace my racket pinion, steering power train issue. There is no way at 70,000 miles this goes in a vehicle. No warning lights... Just loudin clanking when driving & turning...YES, inspected by jeep, dodge, ram dealership 0n 9/25/26. Had it fixed on 10/5/26 & paid a lot of money for it.Owner complaint, filed 2026
My car has less than 35K miles on it and I just had to spend over $2,100 dollars to repair the rack, pinion, and steering mount. They said this problem is common. For a car to be this new and need repairs this quick is ridiculous.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Engine and cooling

7 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving 65 miles an hour down the road my vehicle hit a hard stop( felt like I ran into a brick wall) . memo on my car popped up, saying service transmission. Being completely stopped and using the gas, it wraps up to four or five RPMs just to get me rolling. There’s not much power behind the gas pedal. Thankfully, the person…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and approaching a red light, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate, and that the gear shifter remained in drive. The vehicle came to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway. The brake light…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Transmission and drivetrain

6 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

1) The Power Take-Off Unit (PTU) in the drivetrain failed suddenly while driving at approximately 60 mph. This is a critical drivetrain component responsible for transferring power. The PTU is currently at the Jeep dealership where the repair order is open, and it is available for inspection upon request. 2) The PTU failure caused the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle jerked. The contact heard a whining sound when the transmission shifted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 80 miles

Brakes and stability control

5 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the message to service the START/STOP system was displayed. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the emergency brake activated independently. The contact had to press the START button again for the vehicle to move. The contact stated that there was an A within a circle…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 57,000 miles
The Forward Collison icon is on, on my dash. I get a screen message the service is not working, then another to say the signal is lost. I cannot reprogram/reconnect the service in Uconnect. Makes no difference for icon whether engine is running or not. This started in November 2023. The dealer is saying sensor needs replaced. Which…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Lights, wipers and visibility

4 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2023 Compass instrument panel and center display panel flashes erratically at night when passing under overhead street lighting. It is very distracting and dangerous, causing visibility issues. Driving speed does not matter. The Auto/Manual choices in the vehicle settings do not seem to matter. I was told my vehicle was not part of…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The hazard light button has gotten stuck several times. I went to my dealer and we compared my car with a similar 2023 Compass. Same problem. Then we checked the 2022 Compass and the hazard light on this model does not get stuck. The 2022 is more sturdy than the 2023 version of the hazard light button.Owner complaint, filed 2023

Fuel system

3 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact's granddaughter owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving approximately 65 MPH with her daughter in the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled into an auto shop parking lot. The contact stated that an…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 30,023 miles
At 2900 miles, my check engine light came on while I was on vacation out of state. Within a couple of seconds, my car started to choke and jerk so bad that the passenger could feel it. It did this intermittently, to the point I knew it needed to be seen before driving 900 miles home. Several times since then, my safety was put at risk…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Cruise control and acceleration

3 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the "Check Electronic Throttle" message was displayed. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. A dealer was contacted. The contact stated that during the initial failure, the same message…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 22,365 miles
NHTSA Safety Complaint Summary Component: Braking System / Electronic Stability Control / Electrical System Incident Date: November 5, 2025 Vehicle Mileage: 5,207 Description of Defect: While operating the vehicle at highway speeds on the Grand Central Parkway, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of primary braking function.…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Suspension

2 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Two bolts that hold the wheel assembly to the frame of the vehicle have broken off. The first in April 2025 was on the passenger side, and the second in July 2025 was on the driver side. The Jeep service personnel provided no explanation for how this could happen or seemed to have inspected the other components after the vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Air bags

2 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where an unknown computer repair was performed. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver's…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 14,269 miles

Seats and seat belts

2 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am filing this complaint regarding a deceptive business practice at Haddad Dodge Kia involving the falsification of official vehicle service records and the mishandling of safety-critical repairs. 1. Verification of Safety Defect: In December 2025, a technician at this dealership confirmed a failure in my vehicle's occupant restraint…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact rented a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled inadvertently, and the rear driver's door opened unintendedly, and the rear seat shifted forward. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated, and the traction control feature independently…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 460 miles

Body, doors and structure

2 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Two bolts that hold the wheel assembly to the frame of the vehicle have broken off. The first in April 2025 was on the passenger side, and the second in July 2025 was on the driver side. The Jeep service personnel provided no explanation for how this could happen or seemed to have inspected the other components after the vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact rented a 2023 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled inadvertently, and the rear driver's door opened unintendedly, and the rear seat shifted forward. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated, and the traction control feature independently…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 460 miles

Wheels and tires

1 complaintTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
  • Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
  • The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

Two bolts that hold the wheel assembly to the frame of the vehicle have broken off. The first in April 2025 was on the passenger side, and the second in July 2025 was on the driver side. The Jeep service personnel provided no explanation for how this could happen or seemed to have inspected the other components after the vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Jeep Compass complaints by year

Compare the 2023 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2023 compact SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2023 Jeep CompassToo new to judge2Electrical system
2023 Toyota RAV4Too new to judge3Electrical system
2023 Honda CR-VToo new to judge3Steering
2023 Mazda CX-5Too new to judge0Lights, wipers and visibility
Compare side by side

2023 Jeep Compass recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2023 Jeep Compass, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Backup camera

Jun 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V436000
Risk
A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge.
Full recall summary

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Electrical system Instrument cluster / panel

Aug 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V576000
Risk
An IPC display that is not bright enough may not clearly show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Compass vehicles. The brightness level of the instrument panel cluster (IPC) may not be adjustable due to incorrect software in the body control module (BCM). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

2023 Jeep Compass questions

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Jeep Compass?

The most reported problem areas on the 2023 Jeep Compass are the electrical system (15 complaints), the driver assist systems (11 complaints) and the steering (9 complaints).

Is the 2023 Jeep Compass a good year to buy?

Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Compass year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 38,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Compass years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2023 Jeep Compass have?

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2023 Jeep Compass. The most recent, from Jun 2024, covers the backup camera. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2023 Jeep Compass problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 38,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Jeep Compass years should I avoid?

The Compass years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2018. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2013, 2015 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

Looking at a 2023 Jeep Compass?

We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.

See Our Services
Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.