Is the 2020 Jeep COMPASS reliable?

The 2020 Jeep COMPASS has 248 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Jeep COMPASS?

Top problems: ENGINE (82 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (62 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (30 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Jeep COMPASS?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES. Contact any Jeep dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Jeep COMPASS?

The 2020 Jeep COMPASS gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Jeep COMPASS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Jeep COMPASS is approximately $1,723/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Jeep COMPASS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Jeep COMPASS has 248 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 261. The most common issue is engine problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: purchased a 2020 compass on may 28th, 2020 within the first week it shut down or stalled completely at a stop street, had to put the car in park and hit the restart button. i was not sure if this had something to do with the auto stop/start so i switched this function off and in the following weeks . There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 3 crash reports

248

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

82 complaints

33%

• PURCHASED A 2020 COMPASS ON MAY 28TH, 2020 WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK IT SHUT DOWN OR STALLED COMPLETELY AT A STOP STREET, HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND HIT THE RESTART BUTTON. I WAS NOT SURE IF THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AUTO STOP/START SO I SWITCHED THIS FUNCTION OFF AND IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS
• TWICE NOW, THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED AT A RED LIGHT. THIS VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC ENGINE SHUT OFF WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE IS SUPPOSED TO COME BACK ON. WHEN I WAS AT THE RED LIGHT, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT O
• VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES I HAD SLOWED TO A STOP AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS TO REACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE INFOTAINMENT SCREENS REMAINED ON AND THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFT KNOB STARTED TO BLINK. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, TURN IT OFF AND RES

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“PURCHASED A 2020 COMPASS ON MAY 28TH, 2020 WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK IT SHUT DOWN OR STALLED COMPLETELY AT A STOP STREET, HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND HIT THE RESTART BUTTON. I WAS NOT SURE IF THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AUTO STOP/START SO I SWITCHED THIS FUNCTION OFF AND IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Jeep COMPASS

Based on 50 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 16K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 33K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES09/04/2020

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Jeep COMPASS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Jeep COMPASS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,723

Full coverage / month

$144

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1723

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Jeep COMPASS Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

20K mi

4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2020 COMPASS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 248 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: PURCHASED A 2020 COMPASS ON MAY 28TH, 2020 WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK IT SHUT DOWN OR STALLED COMPLETELY AT A STOP STREET, HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND HIT THE RESTART BUTTON. I WAS NOT SURE IF THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AUTO STOP/START SO I SWITCHED THIS FUNCTION OFF AND IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES I HAD SLOWED TO A STOP AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS TO REACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE INFOTAINMENT SCREENS REMAINED ON AND THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFT KNOB STARTED TO BLINK. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, TURN IT OFF AND RES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES I HAD SLOWED TO A STOP AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS TO REACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE INFOTAINMENT SCREENS REMAINED ON AND THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFT KNOB STARTED TO BLINK. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, TURN IT OFF AND RES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I WAS FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, THE AUTOMATIC STOP ON THE GAS PUMP NEVER SHUT OFF. GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF MY CAR ONTO THE GROUND. I PLACED THE GAS PUMP BACK AND ATTEMPT ED TO START MY CAR, MY CAR STARTED BUT SHUT OFF RIGHT AFTER SIGNALING MY OIL WAS LOW. I JUST GOT MY OIL CHANGED A WEEK BEFORE. MY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)