2020 Jeep Compass: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
138 NHTSA owner complaints · 1 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The second-generation Compass launched for 2018 with the nine-speed automatic and the 2.4-litre Tigershark engine, and that year carries 933 complaints — the transmission, the engine stalling and consuming oil, and the electrical system. Jeep revised the transmission software and, in 2022, the engine-control calibration; the 2020–2021 years score in the 80s and 90s. Read the full note on the model page. 2020 specifically: a year the record favours — 138 complaints, score 85/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Jeep Cherokee 2014 to 2023: the nine-speed years and the years that fixed it, including 2020 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 138 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 23.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
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.
Vehicle shuts off randomly. Restarts after stopping but it’s consistent as if the car over heated yet the coolant temperature reads 194-200
The transmission cooling system failed causing immediate failure of the transmission. The vehicle has less than 60k miles and is still covered by the manufacturer powertrain warranty. Dash lights for service engine and service transmission only came on at the immediate time of failure (10 min prior to full transmission failure). No issues were noted in the vehicles prior service 7 months prior to failure. The dealer …
Recalls: 1 campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 20V208000 | Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 25 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,450
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine79 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Electrical System64 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other29 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Power Train27 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Vehicle Speed Control7 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
- Steering6 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
Other Jeep Compass years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Jeep Compass?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (79 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2020 Jeep Compass a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 85/100, computed from 138 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2020 Jeep Compass's most common problem?
79 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2020 Jeep Compass sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2020 Jeep Compass cost to run per year?
About $4,397 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $21,985 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2020 Jeep Compass have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for the 2020 Jeep Compass, 0 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 09/04/2020. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2020 Jeep Compass really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 138 complaints, 1 recalls on record
- 138 NHTSA complaints on record (23.0/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (25.3/yr)
- 1 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems