NHTSA has received 138 owner complaints about the 2020 Jeep Compass, or 20.7 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.49, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #38 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Jeep models its rate is 72% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 67% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2020-03-25 and 2026-08-25. Median delay from incident to filing: 8 days.
138Complaints
20.7Complaints per year on the road
0.49Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
3.6%Share involving a crash or fire
24Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2019) drew 42.6 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 13.6 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 23 complaints, 60% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (59.4% of complaints), followed by Electrical (14.5%) and Interior & equipment (8.7%). Engine complaints are 2.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “coolant temperature”, “temperature high”, “high coolant”, “shut” and “engine”. 5 reports (3.6%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 45 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (41% of incidents). In the last 12 months 24 new complaints were filed, versus 21 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year. 4% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “False overheat leading to loss of motive power” (opened 2022-12-02, closed 2023-12-10).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.49
vs. other Jeep models0.28
vs. other 2020 models0.55
vs. other Compact SUVs0.33
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (23)0.4
On December 9th, my Jeep compass caught fire in Tyson’s corner parking lot (1750 Tysons BLVD). The fire department believes it came from the engine. No warning signs such as engine lights or temperature overheating prior.
Engine · 2025-12-15 · ODI 11705159 · Fire
8/30/2022 Started the vehicle in the drive way foot still engaged on break and the vehicle accelerated forward with my foot on break and damaged my home and vehicle.
Brakes · 2022-08-30 · ODI 11482006 · Crash
Unknown. Vehicle has been inspected prior for electrical issues while under warranty. Dealer claims no issue. Backup camera does not work, vehicle temperature settings are not accessible on screen.
Electrical · 2026-08-25 · ODI 11759558
Within the first month of ownership I began hearing a noise from the right front of the vehicle consistent with a brake or suspension issue. I reported this to the selling dealer repeatedly during that first month; it was not resolved.
Steering · 2026-07-27 · ODI 11752965
Vehicle shuts off randomly. Restarts after stopping but it’s consistent as if the car over heated yet the coolant temperature reads 194-200
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-01 · ODI 11747773
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass vehicles. The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.
Risk: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W25.
False overheat leading to loss of motive powerClosed
PE22013 · ENGINE · Opened 2022-12-02 · Closed 2023-12-10 · Model years: 2019, 2020
On December 2, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22-013 to investigate allegations of loss of motive power accompanied by high coolant temperature messages on the dashboard of Model Year 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. At the time this investigation was opened, ODI was aware of fifteen Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for Model Year (MY) 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles a…
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2020 Jeep Compass?
138 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Jeep Compass, or about 20.7 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2020 Jeep Compass?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 59.4% of complaints.
Does the 2020 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “False overheat leading to loss of motive power” (opened 2022-12-02, closed 2023-12-10).
Is the 2020 Jeep Compass still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 24 new complaints were filed, versus 21 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2020 Jeep Compass compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 138 owner complaints about the 2020 Jeep Compass, or 20.7 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.49, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #38 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Jeep models its rate is 72% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 67% lower.