A much better Compass, with one cooling quirk
The 2020 Compass drew about half the model's average complaint rate. Some owners report the engine shutting off with a false high coolant temperature warning.
Updated November 2026 · based on 143 owner complaints and 1 recalls
132 54% below the Compass average
1 free to fix at a dealer
Every Compass year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2020 Compass
Top problems and what they cost
High coolant temperature shutoff
The engine shuts off with a high coolant warning, often a sensor fault.
Fix: Sensor or thermostat $200 to $500
Engine
Wiper linkage recall
Recall 20V208 covers the wiper linkage.
Fix: Free under recall
Visibility and wipers
Recalls
Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2020 Jeep Compass
- Watch the temperature gauge on a longer drive.Coolant keeps the engine from overheating. A dropping level, drips, white smoke or residue can mean leaks or a failing head gasket, which can ruin the engine.83 of the 143 owner complaints about the 2020 Compass involve the engine and cooling system (58%).
- Confirm recall 20V208 shows as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2020 Compass has 1 recall on record, listed below.
- Ask for coolant service records.Coolant keeps the engine from overheating. A dropping level, drips, white smoke or residue can mean leaks or a failing head gasket, which can ruin the engine.83 of the 143 owner complaints about the 2020 Compass involve the engine and cooling system (58%).
Questions
Is the 2020 Jeep Compass reliable?
A much better Compass, with one cooling quirk. The 2020 Compass drew about half the model's average complaint rate. Some owners report the engine shutting off with a false high coolant temperature warning.
How many recalls does the 2020 Jeep Compass have?
1 recall. Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2020 Jeep Compass problems?
High coolant temperature shutoff; Wiper linkage recall.
Crash rating shown for the 2020 Jeep Compass SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.