NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
160 reportsClear category filter250 miles · Oct 2, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
LEASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW. AT 60 MILES ON ODOMETER, WENT TO START CAR, CAR TURNED STARTED BUT THEN STALLED/TURNED OFF INSTANTLY. HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO START AGAIN. AT 250 MILES CAR CAME TO BRIEF STOP ON SLIGHT INCLINE WHILE WAITING FOR A PARKING GATE TO OPEN, PARKING GATE OPENED AND VEHICLE WAS STARTING TO ROLL WITH THE …
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LEASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW. AT 60 MILES ON ODOMETER, WENT TO START CAR, CAR TURNED STARTED BUT THEN STALLED/TURNED OFF INSTANTLY. HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO START AGAIN. AT 250 MILES CAR CAME TO BRIEF STOP ON SLIGHT INCLINE WHILE WAITING FOR A PARKING GATE TO OPEN, PARKING GATE OPENED AND VEHICLE WAS STARTING TO ROLL WITH THE CAR OFF, I RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T START IT STALLED. I PUSHED THE BRAKES BACK TO STOP MY CAR. CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE, I TRIED TO RE-START MY CAR BY HITTING THE PUSH BUTTON , CAR WOULDN'T TURN OVER. EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER 60 MINUTES. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD, I AM LUCKY THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION.
NHTSA ODI #11265665
8,522 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
THIS IS MY 5TH TIME REPORTING THIS ISSUE TO THE MANUFACTURER THEY HAVE ALSO HAD A FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT AND DECLARED NO ISSUE EVEN THOUGH AS I WRITE THIS THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I WAS PARKED FOR AN HOUR AT A STORE I COME OUT TURN ON THE VEHICLE PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE CAR FREEZES UP WON'T MOVE FROM ON OR RUN AND CANNOT CHANGE …
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THIS IS MY 5TH TIME REPORTING THIS ISSUE TO THE MANUFACTURER THEY HAVE ALSO HAD A FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT AND DECLARED NO ISSUE EVEN THOUGH AS I WRITE THIS THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I WAS PARKED FOR AN HOUR AT A STORE I COME OUT TURN ON THE VEHICLE PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE CAR FREEZES UP WON'T MOVE FROM ON OR RUN AND CANNOT CHANGE TO DRIVE OR ANYTHING ELSE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REVERSE SYMBOL CONTINUES TO BLINK CAR HAD TO BE RESTARTED TWICE AFTER THIS TO GET IT TO DRIVE TO GO HOME.
NHTSA ODI #11265480
25 miles · Sep 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE AND COME TO A STOP THE CAR RUMBLES, THEN WHEN COMPLETLY STOPPED THE CAR SHUTS OFF, THEN WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDDLE THE STARTER KICKS IN AND STARTS THE CAR IN GEAR WITH A RUMBLE AND THEN I CAN GO? IT DOES'NT MATTER IF ON THE HIGH WAY OR AT A STOP SIGN IT RUMBLES, SHUTS OFF AND RESTARTS IN GEAR.…
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WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE AND COME TO A STOP THE CAR RUMBLES, THEN WHEN COMPLETLY STOPPED THE CAR SHUTS OFF, THEN WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDDLE THE STARTER KICKS IN AND STARTS THE CAR IN GEAR WITH A RUMBLE AND THEN I CAN GO? IT DOES'NT MATTER IF ON THE HIGH WAY OR AT A STOP SIGN IT RUMBLES, SHUTS OFF AND RESTARTS IN GEAR. THE CAR IS (2) DAYS OLD WITH 35 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11253775
2,700 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
ON 2/28/19 I LEASED A 2019 JEEP COMPASS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING MINOR ISSUES WITH IT WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESNT START. AS I WRITE THIS ON 9/3/19 I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEASE I HAVE AND THEREFORE WHY I AM DOCUMENTING MY EXPERIENCE. LAST WEEK, TUESDAY, 8/27/19 WHILE IN AN INTERSECTION, MY CAR…
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ON 2/28/19 I LEASED A 2019 JEEP COMPASS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING MINOR ISSUES WITH IT WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR, SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESNT START. AS I WRITE THIS ON 9/3/19 I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEASE I HAVE AND THEREFORE WHY I AM DOCUMENTING MY EXPERIENCE. LAST WEEK, TUESDAY, 8/27/19 WHILE IN AN INTERSECTION, MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I REACHED OUT TO MIAMI LAKES AUTO MALL ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, THIS WAS A TOTAL DISASTER, I KEPT BEING TRANSFERRED TO VOICEMAILS AND COULD NOT GET ANYONE ON THE PHONE WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS INTERSECTION. I CALLED CHRYSLER ROADSIDE (ANOTHER MESS) AND ENDED UP HAVING TO WAIT 4 HOURS UNTIL A TOW TRUCK COULD COME AND GET MY CAR, STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, HAD TO CALL 911 SO A POLICE CAR COULD PARK BEHIND ME AS OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER FINALLY GETTING THE CAR TOWED, POLICE, RAIN AND BEING STUCK IN AN INTERSECTION AND ALL, FINALLY MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE EXCEPT FOR A SERVICE MANAGER CALLED JONATHAN, HE WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT SPOKE WITH ME DURING THIS TIME, OF COURSE AFTER I ARRIVED TO THE DEALERSHIP, ENTERPRISE WAS CLOSED SO I HAD TO TAKE AN UBER HOME. I HAD TO LEAVE TO TAMPA FOR WORK SO I HAD TO GO GET A RENTAL AT NATIONAL THAT MORNING AND HEAD OUT, ON THURSDAY THE 29TH I SPOKE WITH JONATHAN AND HE TOLD ME THE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE WAS A SOFTWARE FAILURE AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS WORKING PROPERLY NOW. WITH HURRICANE DORIAN COMING AND IF I HAD TO EVACUATE, OF COURSE, I WAS NOT FEELING CONFIDENT THAT I WASN'T GOING TO GET STRANDED WITH MY FAMILY WITH A FAULTY VEHICLE SO I HAD TO KEEP THE RENTAL FOR A FEW MORE DAYS. I AM VERY NERVOUS OF TAKING THIS VEHICLE HOME AS NOW I DONT KNOW IF IT WILL LEAVE ME STALLED, I HAVE READ THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPASS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH JEEP AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #11252981
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2019
Engine
2019 JEEP COMPASS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STOPPING SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN LOW ON OIL WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE RESTARTED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11245744
6,673 miles · Aug 23, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT ON THIS 2019 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND OTHER LIGHTS COME ON. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND HAS TO BE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS UPDATED SOFTWARE, AND NOW HAS SAID THAT THE CAR IS LOW ON OIL EVERY THREE WEEKS AND THAT'S WHY IT STALLS IN THE MID…
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THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT ON THIS 2019 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND OTHER LIGHTS COME ON. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND HAS TO BE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS UPDATED SOFTWARE, AND NOW HAS SAID THAT THE CAR IS LOW ON OIL EVERY THREE WEEKS AND THAT'S WHY IT STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE A BABY ON THE WAY!. THE OIL CHANGE INDICATOR DOESN'T EVER SHOW UP AND THE MANUFACTURER JUST GIVES THE RUN AROUND.
NHTSA ODI #11246057
6,673 miles · Aug 22, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
THIS IS MY THIRD TIME WITH AN ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE STALLING. I WAS TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR JUST STALLED LIGHTING UP EVERY NOTIFYING SIGNAL INCLUDING AN EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING LOCKED IN ALMOST CAUSING AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11245785
4,000 miles · Aug 5, 2019
Engine
THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE IN MY CAR IS NOT RELIABLE. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE INSTANCES WHEN I'VE BEEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES START, AND THEN AS SOON AS I HIT THE GAS, MY CAR STALLS. I THEN HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF COMPLETELY, AND START IT AGAIN. THIS OBVIOUS…
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THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE IN MY CAR IS NOT RELIABLE. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE INSTANCES WHEN I'VE BEEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES START, AND THEN AS SOON AS I HIT THE GAS, MY CAR STALLS. I THEN HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF COMPLETELY, AND START IT AGAIN. THIS OBVIOUSLY STRIKES HIGH CONCERN DUE TO THE STRONG POSSIBILITY OF BEING REAR ENDED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW. I LEFT AGITATED. I JUST PURCHASED MY VEHICLE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO.
NHTSA ODI #11241878
3,500 miles · Jul 22, 2019
EngineExterior LightingStructureFire
PARKED 2019 JEEP COMPASS IN NORMAL PARKING LOT WENT INSIDE FOR A FEW HOURS THEN HEARD POPPING NOISES FROM PARKING LOT. RAN OUTSIDE TO SEE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURST INTO FLAMES VIA THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGING THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER FLAMES PUT OUT, THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE HOOD OF THE CAR GOING …
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PARKED 2019 JEEP COMPASS IN NORMAL PARKING LOT WENT INSIDE FOR A FEW HOURS THEN HEARD POPPING NOISES FROM PARKING LOT. RAN OUTSIDE TO SEE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURST INTO FLAMES VIA THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGING THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER FLAMES PUT OUT, THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE HOOD OF THE CAR GOING DOWN INTO THE ENGINE THAT DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD, BUMPER, ENGINE, LIGHT, TIRES AND DOORS. OTHER CARS AROUND MINE WERE DAMAGED AS WELL AS THE FIRE SPREAD. WAS PARKED AT HOTEL PARKING LOT FOR A FEW HOURS BEFORE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #11233740
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
CAR WON'T GO AFTER STOPPING WHEN FOOT IS OFF BREAK
NHTSA ODI #11232494
NHTSA investigations
1PE22013 · False Overheat Leading To Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Dec 2, 2022 · Closed Dec 10, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine; Engine And Engine Cooling
On December 2, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22-013 to investigate allegations of loss of motive power accompanied by high coolant temperature messages on the dashboard of Model Year 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. At the time this investigation was opened, ODI was aware of fifteen Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for Model Year (MY) 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles alleging a loss of motive power (LOMP) while driving. The LOMP events were often accompanied by a high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high message appearing on the dashboard of the vehicle. In most incidents, the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high dashboard messages spontaneously self-corrected or were corrected after the vehicle was stopped and restarted. One complainant alleged no immediate restart, and the vehicle was towed. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) was opened to assess the frequency and potential safety consequences of these engine shut down events. On January 19th, 2023, ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler US LLC (FCA) requesting pertinent information on the subject 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. FCA provided its full response on March 2nd, 2023. ODI has reviewed the information FCA provided as well as new reports submitted to NHTSA’s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire database. Based on a review of available information, ODI has identified 173 subject vehicles that likely experienced a shutdown event associated with the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high dashboard messages. ODI found the 2019 Model Year (MY) Jeep Compass as having the highest failure rate while also being the oldest group of vehicles in this investigation. The 2019 Jeep Compass vehicles that experienced a failure represent an incident rate of about 0.09%. The 2020 Jeep compass vehicles that experienced a failure represent an incident rate of about 0.04%. After reviewing the information available at this time, ODI identified one allegation of a crash and no allegations of injury, fire, or fatality. The alleged crash occurred at a stop light and was able to be restarted immediately. In its response to ODI, FCA provided its assessment of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. FCA believes the alleged defect does not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. FCA stated that allegations related to this investigation involve the vehicle notifying the driver of an overheat condition, via a message and telltale lights, followed by an engine shutdown. FCA goes on to say that once the engine shuts down, the driver is instructed via an instrument cluster message to place the vehicle in park. After the vehicle is placed in park, it can then be restarted and immediately driven with no issues. This is consistent with ODI’s observations. Based on the analysis conducted by ODI indicating a low failure rate and given that the vehicles normally can be re-started immediately after the shutdown event, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. NHTSA reserves the right take additional actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
On December 2, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22-013 to investigate allegations of loss of motive power accompanied by high coolant temperature messages on the dashboard of Model Year 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. At the time this investigation was opened, ODI was aware of fifteen Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for Model Year (MY) 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles alleging a loss of motive power (LOMP) while driving. The LOMP events were often accompanied by a high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high message appearing on the dashboard of the vehicle. In most incidents, the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high dashboard messages spontaneously self-corrected or were corrected after the vehicle was stopped and restarted. One complainant alleged no immediate restart, and the vehicle was towed. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) was opened to assess the frequency and potential safety consequences of these engine shut down events. On January 19th, 2023, ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler US LLC (FCA) requesting pertinent information on the subject 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. FCA provided its full response on March 2nd, 2023. ODI has reviewed the information FCA provided as well as new reports submitted to NHTSA’s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire database. Based on a review of available information, ODI has identified 173 subject vehicles that likely experienced a shutdown event associated with the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high dashboard messages. ODI found the 2019 Model Year (MY) Jeep Compass as having the highest failure rate while also being the oldest group of vehicles in this investigation. The 2019 Jeep Compass vehicles that experienced a failure represent an incident rate of about 0.09%. The 2020 Jeep compass vehicles that experienced a failure represent an incident rate of about 0.04%. After reviewing the information available at this time, ODI identified one allegation of a crash and no allegations of injury, fire, or fatality. The alleged crash occurred at a stop light and was able to be restarted immediately. In its response to ODI, FCA provided its assessment of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. FCA believes the alleged defect does not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. FCA stated that allegations related to this investigation involve the vehicle notifying the driver of an overheat condition, via a message and telltale lights, followed by an engine shutdown. FCA goes on to say that once the engine shuts down, the driver is instructed via an instrument cluster message to place the vehicle in park. After the vehicle is placed in park, it can then be restarted and immediately driven with no issues. This is consistent with ODI’s observations. Based on the analysis conducted by ODI indicating a low failure rate and given that the vehicles normally can be re-started immediately after the shutdown event, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. NHTSA reserves the right take additional actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Engine
On December 2, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22-013 to investigate allegations of loss of motive power accompanied by high coolant temperature messages on the dashboard of Model Year 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. At the time this investigation was opened, ODI was aware of fifteen Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for Model Year (MY) 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles alleging a loss of motive power (LOMP) while driving. The LOMP events were often accompanied by a high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high message appearing on the dashboard of the vehicle. In most incidents, the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high dashboard messages spontaneously self-corrected or were corrected after the vehicle was stopped and restarted. One complainant alleged no immediate restart, and the vehicle was towed. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) was opened to assess the frequency and potential safety consequences of these engine shut down events. On January 19th, 2023, ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler US LLC (FCA) requesting pertinent information on the subject 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. FCA provided its full response on March 2nd, 2023. ODI has reviewed the information FCA provided as well as new reports submitted to NHTSA’s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire database. Based on a review of available information, ODI has identified 173 subject vehicles that likely experienced a shutdown event associated with the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high dashboard messages. ODI found the 2019 Model Year (MY) Jeep Compass as having the highest failure rate while also being the oldest group of vehicles in this investigation. The 2019 Jeep Compass vehicles that experienced a failure represent an incident rate of about 0.09%. The 2020 Jeep compass vehicles that experienced a failure represent an incident rate of about 0.04%. After reviewing the information available at this time, ODI identified one allegation of a crash and no allegations of injury, fire, or fatality. The alleged crash occurred at a stop light and was able to be restarted immediately. In its response to ODI, FCA provided its assessment of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. FCA believes the alleged defect does not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. FCA stated that allegations related to this investigation involve the vehicle notifying the driver of an overheat condition, via a message and telltale lights, followed by an engine shutdown. FCA goes on to say that once the engine shuts down, the driver is instructed via an instrument cluster message to place the vehicle in park. After the vehicle is placed in park, it can then be restarted and immediately driven with no issues. This is consistent with ODI’s observations. Based on the analysis conducted by ODI indicating a low failure rate and given that the vehicles normally can be re-started immediately after the shutdown event, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. NHTSA reserves the right take additional actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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