2017 Jeep Compass — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2017 Jeep Compass

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $24,561–$30,412
Fuel Economy 19 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,763/yr
The 2017 Jeep Compass scores 6.5/10 at Carivo, ranking #2376 of 2454 suvs, with 4 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,763/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2017 Jeep Compass

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$24,561–$30,412

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2017 Jeep Compass

The 2017 Jeep Compass is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 6.5/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.7/10, while Reliability at 5.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 5.7/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.7/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.2/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $24,561–$30,412, 19 MPG, seating 5, the Jeep Compass sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. At 7.0/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2017 Jeep Compass sits in the middle of the field. Until its performance and technology and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2017 Jeep Compass ranks #2376 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $24,561 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 32%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $25k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2017 Jeep Compass

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$13,815 ($2,763/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 4 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Compass Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2015 Jeep Compass scores 6.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2017's 6.5 — and starts roughly $5,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.0/10$32,022 Read review →
2025 7.0/10$32,022 Read review →
2024 7.0/10$31,090 Read review →
2023 6.8/10$30,157 Read review →
2022 6.9/10$29,224 Read review →
2021 6.8/10$28,291 Read review →
2020 6.8/10$27,359 Read review →
2019 6.7/10$26,426 Read review →
2018 6.6/10$25,493 Read review →
2017 (this review) 6.5/10$24,561
2016 6.9/10$19,760 Read review →
2015 6.7/10$18,980 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2017 Jeep Compass

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment
  • Fuel economy at 19 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2017 Jeep Compass (4 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Electrical system / instrument cluster/panel
21/11/2017 · 17V740000
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…
Equipment
21/12/2017 · 17V824000
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:…
Power train / Axle assembly / Axle shaft
09/05/2017 · 17V301000
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.
Equipment / Other / Owners/service/other manual
07/07/2017 · 17V433000
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…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2017 Jeep Compass that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2017 Jeep Compass

Is the 2017 Jeep Compass reliable?

We rate the 2017 Jeep Compass's reliability 5.7/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2017 Jeep Compass have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2017 Jeep Compass worth buying?

It scores 6.5/10 overall, ranking #2376 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 3% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2017 Jeep Compass cost?

The 2017 Jeep Compass starts at $24,561 and ranges up to $30,412 across trims (MSRP when new). At 19 MPG, expect roughly $2,763/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Compass years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Compass years we've rated are 2017 (6.5/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.0/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2017 Jeep Compass have?

The documented issues for the 2017 Jeep Compass are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Electrical system, Equipment, Power train (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Jeep Compass

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Jeep Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Jeep models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.