Last updated: 2026-10-10

2023 Jeep Compass
RELIABILITY SCORE: 78/100 (GOOD)

2023 Jeep Compass Reliability Report

The 2023 Jeep Compass has good reliability, but owners report engine stalling and sudden power loss that dealers often cannot trace.

Recalls

2

Complaints

43

Complaint Rate

4.5per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$526

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,200

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity74/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact80/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity83/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Sits mid-pack among Compass years, with far fewer complaints than 2022 but recurring reports of stalling and sudden power loss.

Top Issues to Watch

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10)
  • POWER TRAIN (6)
  • STEERING (5)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2023 is 1 year after the 2021 facelift refresh.

  • Year 7 in the Second generation (MP) (2017–2026).
  • Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
  • 2nd generation Compass (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2017: Second generation (MP) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2023: This Model Year

2023 is 1 year after the 2021 facelift refresh.

Should You Buy the 2023 Jeep Compass?

Buy with care, but this is a solid year. Reliability is good, well above average among 2023 SUVs, and in the middle of the eight Compass years we score. Owners filed 43 complaints, about 4.5 per 10,000 sold. The 2022 rates worse, with 204 complaints and 4 recalls. The 2024 rates better, with 34 complaints and no recalls. Yearly repair costs are close to the class norm.

The serious reports involve power loss. Owners describe the engine shutting off while driving or slowing for a turn, and auto start/stop failing to restart the car. Jerking and hesitation from a stop show up in power train complaints, in one case around 5,600 miles. One steering complaint describes a rollover with an injury after the steering and brakes locked. Two recalls cover back over prevention and the electrical system.

Ask for proof that both recalls were completed. Request repair records for any stalling or hesitation, since dealers often could not find the cause. A 2024 is worth pricing as an alternative.

Compared to the 2024 Jeep Compass, which scored 6 points higher. See also the 2022 Jeep Compass for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Acceptable reliability score
  • +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • +Low major repair risk (11%)
  • +Low recall count

Cons

  • −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Engine stalling is the most serious pattern (10 complaints)
  • −POWER TRAIN: Jerking, shaking and hesitation when accelerating, especially from a stop or at... (6 complaints)

Compare 2023 Jeep Compass With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK
  • 2 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10)
  • POWER TRAIN (6)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

2

recalls on record

The 2023 Jeep Compass carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

4.5

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 11.3

LowAvgHigh
Low

Safety Incidents

2

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2023 Jeep Compass Recall Details

2 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Jeep Compass. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

24V4360002024-06-13

BACK OVER PREVENTION

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."

Consequence

A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.

23V5760002023-08-14

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 29, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 88A.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2023 Jeep Compass? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Jeep Compass, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2023 Jeep Compass NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 20.6%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (None)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Not Available)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Jeep CompassRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$526

vs $521 avg for compact SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.2

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

11%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Compass
$526
Category Avg
$521
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Jeep Compass Resale Value

The Jeep Compass is estimated to retain about 63.1% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Jeep Compass model overall and is not specific to the 2023 model year.

Value Retained
63.1%

after 5 years

Depreciation
36.9%

over the same period

Listings Analyzed
231

U.S. used-car listings

Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore Jeep Compass depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

27 MPG

Running cost: $2,750/yr

Fuel + repair

24 city / 32 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Compass 4WD 2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic 8-spd243227$2,200

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Jeep Compass.

  • Drive at night under streetlights and watch whether the cluster and center screen flash between dark and bright.

  • Make several stops in traffic and confirm start/stop shuts off and restarts the engine smoothly every time.

  • Accelerate from a full stop repeatedly and reject any hesitation, jerking, hard gear engagement, or whine during shifts.

  • On a highway drive, watch for sudden power loss, a check engine light, or a Start/Stop Unavailable message.

  • Confirm forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking show active, with no service or signal-lost messages.

  • Check the backup camera image at dusk or in a dark garage.

  • Look for power steering fluid leaks and listen for clicking while turning the wheel fully each way.

  • Ask for service records showing visits for stalling, battery failures, body control module faults, or warning lights.

2023 Jeep Compass Common Problems by Component

43 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

10
6
5
10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (10)POWER TRAIN (6)STEERING (5)ENGINE (4)EXTERIOR LIGHTING (3)SERVICE BRAKES (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)SEAT BELTS (1)Other (10)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 complaints

Compass electrical problems across all model years

Engine stalling is the most serious pattern. Owners describe the engine shutting off while driving or slowing for a turn, and the auto start/stop system cutting the engine before the car fully stops or failing to restart it. Hesitation, jerking and vibration under acceleration often come with it, sometimes within the first few thousand miles. Other reports describe dim or flickering instrument clusters, a body control module fault that made wipers, lights and screens act on their own and disabled emergency braking, and dead batteries that came back after repair. Dealers often cannot find the cause, and one report cites parts on backorder.

10 complaints total

POWER TRAIN

6 complaints

Jerking, shaking and hesitation when accelerating, especially from a stop or at low speed, run through most reports. Owners also describe hard jerks when shifting into gear, a whine during shifts, and sudden loss of power that nearly caused collisions. One report describes the power take-off unit failing at highway speed and leaving the car unable to drive. Auto start/stop sometimes fails to restart the engine at lights. Problems can start early, around 5,600 miles in one case, and dealers frequently cannot reproduce or fix them.

6 complaints total

STEERING

5 complaintsSafety-related

Sudden loss of control is the gravest concern here. Among 5 complaints, one crash with an injury describes the steering and brakes locking while warning lights filled the dash, followed by a rollover. Another describes a hard, unresponsive brake pedal at highway speed with stability control, park brake and start/stop warnings, at about 5,207 miles. Less severe reports cover a shaking steering wheel and swaying, a leaking rack and pinion that needed replacement, clicking during turns, and sharp plastic edges on the wheel trim.

5 complaints total1 crash1 injury
ENGINE (4 complaints)

ENGINE

4 complaints

Sudden loss of power while driving is the main pattern, at speeds from city traffic up to about 70 mph. Owners describe a jolt like hitting a wall, a check engine or service transmission warning, little response from the gas pedal, and in some cases the car stopping in the road. Restarting can temporarily restore normal driving, but the problem returns. Dealers often find nothing, and a software update did not fix it in one report. One owner reports an exhaust valve fragment damaging a piston, requiring a new engine within months of purchase.

4 complaints total
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (3 complaints)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 complaints

Screens flash at night. Both the instrument panel and the center display jump between dark and bright white when the car passes under street or freeway lights, causing glare and distraction regardless of speed or display settings. Owners report repeated dealer visits with no fix and little acknowledgment from Jeep customer care. A separate complaint describes the hazard light button sticking, a problem the owner and dealer reproduced on another 2023 Compass.

3 complaints total
SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

False automatic braking is the main hazard. The forward collision system can trigger hard braking on an open highway with no traffic ahead, nearly causing a rear-end crash from the car behind. Dealers report they cannot replicate the problem. Another failure leaves the forward collision system showing service and signal-lost messages. The dealer fix in that case calls for replacing a sensor, which requires removing the front bumper and grille and takes about 5 hours.

2 complaints total
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

Total power loss while driving appears here too. The car dies in drive, then restarts with the check engine light on and the pedestrian emergency braking system switched off, and the problem can repeat within days. A separate complaint describes a backup camera image so dark at night or in low light that the owner considers it unusable for seeing people or objects behind the car.

2 complaints total
SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint
2026-01-28

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 system (seat belts). Parts were ordered under warranty specifically to address this safety risk. 2. Failure to Perform and Misrepresentation: On January 27, 2026, I dropped my vehicle off for the scheduled installation of these safety components. The dealership held my vehicle for 48 hours. During this time, Service Advisor Josh Kortkamp falsely stated via text that the vehicle was "disassembled" and the technician was working on it. Upon my arrival to retrieve the vehicle, I discovered it had never been touched, and my dash cam had been unplugged without my consent. 3. Falsification of Legal Documents (Fraud): After I terminated the service for non-performance, the dealership manually entered a status of "Customer Declined Repairs" into the official service record and the Stellantis national database. I have a timestamped Multi-Point Inspection (MPI) PDF showing the work was "Approved" by me. The "Declined" status is a fraudulent fabrication intended to: Mask the shop’s failure to perform authorized work. Shift legal liability for a known safety defect from the dealership/manufacturer to me. Create a false record of owner negligence that jeopardizes my Stellantis/Mopar Warranty standing. Desired Resolution: I request that the Attorney General’s office investigate these deceptive practices. I demand that the dealership be compelled to formally amend my vehicle's national service history to accurately reflect "Shop Non-Performance" rather than a "Customer Decline," and to provide written confirmation that my warranty standing remains intact despite their fraudulent reporting.

FUEL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaint
2026-01-03

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 independent mechanic from the auto shop inspected the vehicle and noticed that a fuel clip was needed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the contact was waiting to hear from the dealer about a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,023.

SUSPENSION (1 complaints)

SUSPENSION

1 complaint
2025-04-25

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 serviced for the first broken bolt.

Best & Worst Jeep Compass Years

Best Jeep Compass Years to Buy

Jeep Compass Years to Avoid

Jeep Compass Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Jeep Compass reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201861/100Good
201970/100Good
202076/100Good
202180/100Excellent
202270/100Good
202378/100Good
202484/100Excellent
202583/100Excellent

Jeep Compass Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202583/100-1Excellent013
202484/100+6Excellent034
2023(selected)78/100+8Good243
202270/100-10Good4204
202180/100+4Excellent070
202076/100+6Good1129
201970/100+9Good2305
201861/100—Good6912

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2023 Jeep Compass reliable?
Yes, it rates good overall and well above average against other 2023 SUVs. Within the Compass lineup it lands in the middle of eight scored years. Owners filed 43 complaints, far fewer than the 2022 model year, though stalling and power-loss reports keep it from being trouble-free.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Jeep Compass?
Electrical system complaints lead, with 10 reports, mostly engine stalling and auto start/stop faults. Power train follows with 6, mainly jerking and hesitation when accelerating. Steering has 5 complaints and engine has 4, the latter centered on sudden loss of power while driving.
Does the 2023 Jeep Compass have engine stalling problems?
Some owners report it. They describe the engine shutting off while driving or slowing for a turn, and start/stop cutting the engine early or not restarting it. Dealers often could not find a cause. Restarting sometimes restores normal driving, but in some reports the problem came back.
Has the 2023 Jeep Compass been recalled?
Yes, federal recall records list two recalls for this model year. They cover back over prevention and the electrical system. Check the VIN with a dealer or the federal recall lookup to confirm both repairs were done before you buy.
Is the 2023 Jeep Compass better than the 2022 or 2024?
It beats the 2022, which rates worse and has 204 complaints and 4 recalls. The 2024 rates better, with 34 complaints and no recalls. If prices are close, the 2024 looks like the safer pick on the record so far.

Don’t buy a 2023 Jeep Compass without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2023 Jeep Compass

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Jeep Compass does best on how many systems draw complaints (83/100) and worst on complaint severity (74/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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