Recall 17V433 affects 12,989 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles for a reversed jump-start battery-terminal graphic. Corrected User's Guide is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
Jeep is recalling 12,989 2017 Compass vehicles because the User's Guide shows the battery terminal polarity in the jump start graphic backward. The wrong graphic can lead owners to connect jumper cables to the wrong terminals, increasing injury risk, and Jeep dealers will complete the recall fix free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The owner's guide for the 2017 Jeep Compass explains how to jump start the vehicle when the battery is discharged. That procedure depends on polarity: the positive cable belongs on the positive terminal, and the negative cable belongs on the correct ground or negative connection. The guide is supposed to help an owner or roadside technician identify those points before connecting jumper cables.
On affected Compass vehicles, the battery terminal graphic in the guide has the polarity reversed. If someone follows that graphic during a jump start, the cables are connected backward. That sends current through the electrical system the wrong way, which turns a routine roadside procedure into a repair and safety problem.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is in the printed guide, so the vehicle does not give a light, sound, or driving symptom before someone uses the wrong jump start instructions.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Jeep Compass | vehicle equipment |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 12,989 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
Not every 2017 Jeep Compass is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Incorrect battery jumper cable instructions can lead an owner to connect the cables the wrong way, which raises injury risk during jump starting. Before using jumper cables, rely on the corrected guide or ask a Jeep dealer for guidance. Repair is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Jeep Compass is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Jeep dealer to get the free corrected User's Guide that fixes the reversed jump-start battery-terminal graphic.
- Bring the recall notice if Jeep has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V433 when you call.
- Follow the corrected jump-start instructions before attaching jumper cables; do not rely on the old guide's battery-terminal graphic.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Jeep technician replaces the vehicle User's Guide with a corrected version that shows the jump start battery terminal polarity properly. The replacement guide and any related labor are free under the recall. If you already paid to correct this guide problem before the recall notice, Jeep's reimbursement process covers confirmed expenses. Send the original receipt or other proof of payment as instructed in the owner letter.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 7, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 7, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| August 21, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 21, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 22, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V433?
Recall 17V433 covers 12,989 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles with an incorrect jump start diagram in the User's Guide. The graphic reverses battery terminal polarity, which can lead an owner to connect jumper cables incorrectly and increase injury risk. Jeep will replace the guide for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Jeep Compass is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Compass is included in recall 17V433. If it is, contact a franchised Jeep dealer and ask for the corrected User's Guide. Reference recall number 17V433 or Jeep recall T46 when you call. The replacement is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost, and Jeep will replace the incorrect User's Guide with a corrected version free of charge through a franchised Jeep dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk comes from the incorrect jump start diagram. If an owner follows the reversed battery terminal graphic, the jumper cables can be connected incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a jump start. The fix is the corrected User's Guide.
What if I bought my Jeep Compass used?
The free recall remedy still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2017 Jeep Compass is included, then contact a franchised Jeep dealer and ask for the corrected User's Guide.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V433000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V433 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V433000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →