Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Jeep Compass steering problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Jeep Compass have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 39,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Compass | 3 |
| 2014 Compass | 8 |
| 2015 Compass | 4 |
| 2016 Compass | 16 |
| 2017 Compass (this page) | 15 |
| 2018 Compass | 28 |
| 2019 Compass | 19 |
| 2020 Compass | 5 |
| 2021 Compass | 6 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 15 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Jeep Compass, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Steering Wheel Off Center This bulletin involves centering the steering wheel. The customer may describe the steering wheel is off center.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Steering Wheel Off Center This bulletin involves centering the steering wheel. The customer may describe the steering wheel is off center.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles report a critical pattern: the engine stalls without warning during normal driving and at traffic lights, disabling both power steering (making the wheel stiff or locked) and power brakes (making the pedal hard to press). The stall leaves the vehicle stranded in intersections and highway lanes, creating collision risk. Restart requires multiple attempts or waiting 15–20 minutes. Dashboard displays are sometimes contradictory during these events—saying the car is still running when it isn't, or claiming it's not in park when parked.
Owners cite excessive oil consumption (adding 1.5 quarts between changes), though dealership diagnostics frequently find no fault codes and cannot reproduce the problem. One owner's mechanic replaced the camshaft sensor, battery, and firmware but the stalling continued.
Additionally, steering components fail prematurely: lower control arm ball joints wear out or loosen by 24,000 to 43,000 miles (one replaced twice before 43,000 miles), and steering systems produce clicking or clunking noises. One Compass experienced driveshaft detachment at 39,000 miles after steering difficulty began. The 2018 Compass was recalled for control arm failure, but 2017 models were not included. No owner reports receiving recalls or service bulletins addressing the stalling issue.
Same Jeep Compass steering reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stall with power loss and steering lockup
Vehicle shuts down without warning while driving or at stop signs, disabling power steering and power brakes. Dashboard may show contradictory states (e.g., 'not in park' when parked). Restarts after 15-20 minutes or multiple restart attempts. Occurs during normal driving, highway travel, and at intersections.
When: No consistent pattern; narratives cite occurrences from 4,000 to 72,000 miles. Some owners report multiple incidents within months.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off without warning; Power steering disabled, steering wheel becomes stiff or locked; Power brakes inoperative, brake pedal becomes hard; Dashboard lights flashing or contradictory instrument display; Vehicle won't restart immediately, requires multiple attempts or 15-20 minute wait; Excessive oil consumption (1.5 quarts between changes reported)
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (delayed or absent initially), Lightning bolt warning light (electrical)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports independent mechanic replaced camshaft sensor and battery, updated firmware—issue persisted. Dealers unable to replicate or diagnose problem. Some dealership diagnostics revealed no fault codes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred one owner to NHTSA Hotline. No recalls or technical service bulletins mentioned in narratives.
Steering system clicking, clunking, and difficulty turning
Abnormal clicking or clunking sounds from steering system, often when turning or during normal driving. Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn or stiff. One narrative indicates rack and pinion failure at 72,000 miles.
When: Reported between 10 miles and 72,000 miles. One driveshaft detachment occurred at 39,082 miles while steering was already difficult.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clicking noise from steering wheel or underneath vehicle; Abnormal clunking sound when turning; Steering wheel difficult or impossible to turn; Steering wheel structurally unsound
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's steering wheel was replaced but failure continued. Rack and pinion failure identified by independent mechanic; parts back-ordered. No dealer or manufacturer repairs completed in narratives.
Lower control arm and ball joint premature wear
Left and both lower control arms and ball joints found to be excessively worn or loose at low mileages. One ball joint was replaced at 24,000 miles and required replacement again by 43,000 miles. 2018 models were recalled for this issue; 2017 models were not.
When: Ball joint first replacement prior to 24,000 miles; second failure by 43,000 miles. Another narrative reports control arms needed replacement at 33,906 miles on a 2017.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering pull and difficulty; Excessive looseness or wear in control arms and ball joints
Repairs/costs cited: Ball joint and control arms replaced. Owner notes 2018 models were recalled for same failure but 2017 was not.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related recall issued for 2018 Compass (NHTSA Campaign 18V-something, per narrative implication) but not extended to 2017 model year.
Stop/start system malfunction causing stall and power loss
Auto stop/start feature activates unexpectedly or fails to function properly, causing engine to stall while vehicle is in motion or at stops. Loss of steering and brakes follows. Dashboard and emergency brake may engage unexpectedly.
When: Incidents occur at traffic lights and during normal driving; one owner reports 4 stalls in 4 months.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls when auto stop/start feature engages; Complete loss of power steering and brakes during stall; Emergency brake activates on its own; Brake pedal becomes very stiff; Vehicle unable to restart immediately; Panel lights flash during events
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostics inconclusive. Midas diagnostics found no definitive answer despite battery testing normal.
Starter, ignition, or electrical module failure
Vehicle will not start despite all other electrical systems functioning. Owner reports burnt wire connecting to steering detected by dealership, followed by module replacement. Pattern of intermittent no-start conditions with no dash warning lights.
When: Incidents reported on 1/12/18, with repeat events on 2/6/18. Vehicle had just under normal mileage for age.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; No dashboard warning lights; All other systems function normally; Ignition will not turn engine over; Intermittent condition; vehicle may start after multiple attempts or delay
Repairs/costs cited: Burnt wire detected and repaired. Steering module replaced. Subsequent diagnostics revealed no fault codes despite recurring no-start events.
Driveshaft detachment
Driveshaft detached from vehicle while driving at 30 mph, resulting in crash. Preceded by abnormal clicking sound and steering difficulty.
When: At 39,082 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clicking sound underneath vehicle; Steering wheel became difficult to turn; Driveshaft visibly detached
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to body shop; diagnostic not performed within 24-48 hours reported. Vehicle not included in NHTSA Campaign 17V301000 (Powertrain).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; vehicle excluded from powertrain recall campaign.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
On 11/23/20 I was at quirk Chrysler Jeep dealer getting an oil change and I was informed that both front lower control arms needed to be replaced the vehicle has only 33,906 miles. 2018 Jeep compass vehicles were recalled for this same issue. This is a safety issue to have these parts fail prematurely.
Had steering trouble with your 2017 Jeep Compass?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2017 Jeep Compass?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 31,000 and 43,000 miles, with the median around 39,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,000; a quarter make it past 43,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Jeep/Compass.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.