Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
630–25K
2225–50K
1050–75K
375–100K
5100–150K
0150K+
103 reports with mileage · 226 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 143 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
329 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine
I had just got back from a trip where my Jeep Compass ran perfectly fine. I had to go to work the next morning and my Jeep would not start. A warning came on that said "coolant temperature to high" and would not let me start my car. Keep in mind that the car had not even been running to have a high temperature. The engine would …
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I had just got back from a trip where my Jeep Compass ran perfectly fine. I had to go to work the next morning and my Jeep would not start. A warning came on that said "coolant temperature to high" and would not let me start my car. Keep in mind that the car had not even been running to have a high temperature. The engine would not turn over and the power steering locked up. This came without warning and I had no signs that something was about to happen. I have read that this has been occurring since 2021 and I wanted to add to the complaints of how dangerous this could be if my engine would have locked up and shutdown while driving on the highway like others have reported. The battery and auxiliary battery are not even two years old. This issue seems like it needs to be investigated more even though a investigation was opened up in 2022 and it is now 2023 and I have note seen anything from it.
NHTSA ODI #11535667
40,000 miles · Jul 28, 2023
Engine
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil consumption failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had bee…
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The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil consumption failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #11534984
33,167 miles · Jul 25, 2023
Electrical System
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2019 Jeep Compass. The owner was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The owner was able to start the vehicle after a jumpstart. The owner took the vehicle to the location where she purchased the vehicle, where it was diagnosed and determ…
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The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2019 Jeep Compass. The owner was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The owner was able to start the vehicle after a jumpstart. The owner took the vehicle to the location where she purchased the vehicle, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, on May 1, 2023, the vehicle continued to experience the failure. The owner took the vehicle back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the auxiliary battery and starter to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, on June 24, 2023, the vehicle continued to experience failure. The contact stated that while the owner was driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The owner towed the vehicle back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the spark plugs and coils to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,167.
NHTSA ODI #11534335
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other
This situation has now happened twice in the past three months. In the first incident, I was driving around midnight (had only been in the car for about twenty minutes) and my car showed an "engine overheating" warning on my dash and immediately went into limp mode for approximately 5 seconds. After those few seconds, it resumed…
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This situation has now happened twice in the past three months. In the first incident, I was driving around midnight (had only been in the car for about twenty minutes) and my car showed an "engine overheating" warning on my dash and immediately went into limp mode for approximately 5 seconds. After those few seconds, it resumed driving normally and the warning went away. I made it about 1000 feet to the next intersection to turn off into a parking lot, and my vehicle shut itself down entirely (in the middle of the intersection). I was unable to turn on my hazard lights, dome lights, or restart my car for about 3 minutes. Both my safety and the safety of others was put at risk due to the fact that it was midnight, I had no way of showing others that my vehicle was immobile in the intersection, and could have well caused an accident. After restarting my car, I was able to move it out of the intersection and look at the coolant level. The level was at the full line and my vehicle behaved normally the rest of the way home. After this incident, I took the vehicle to an auto-shop and they diagnosed the issue as a faulty thermostat. Therefore, the entire thermostat housing was replaced and the coolant system was pressure-tested to ensure everything was properly done and working. Ultimately, though, this did not resolve the issue as this morning on my way to work (about 1 month after replacing the thermostat housing and about 10 minutes into my commute), my car again flashed an overheating warning and immediately went into limp mode - shutting itself off at the next intersection (approximately 1200 feet). This time, though, it was during everyone's morning commute and I narrowly avoided being rear-ended multiple times. I took my vehicle to the auto-shop and they have been unable to recreate the issue thus far. When they had replaced my thermostat housing originally, they were unable to see an issue with it to begin with (not staying closed or staying open).
NHTSA ODI #11533386
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2023
Electrical System
Auto stop feature will not consistently work. My daughter has been in an intersection on several occasions when the vehicle would not re start. This happened in October of 2022 and a battery and a battery and sensor were replaced. This is now happening again putting her in danger in the middle of roadways.
NHTSA ODI #11530970
Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2023
Electrical System
The uconnect touch screen is ghost touching and glitching out causing it to mess with my cars functions and distracting me while driving.
NHTSA ODI #11530289
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2023
Engine
High Coolant temperature warning came up on dashboard and engine shut off while I was driving my vehicle through an intersection. Car had plenty of coolant and other fluids, car was not overheating. About 5 minutes later the car turned back on.
NHTSA ODI #11529193
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance
My emergency brake engages while my vehicle is in drive during auto assist feature is on. My vehicle stalls. I have to put my vehicle in park, then shut my car off and restart it while in traffic. I have been in several near collisions. I have been a victim of road rage. My 2019 Compass has been experiencing this issue since Jul…
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My emergency brake engages while my vehicle is in drive during auto assist feature is on. My vehicle stalls. I have to put my vehicle in park, then shut my car off and restart it while in traffic. I have been in several near collisions. I have been a victim of road rage. My 2019 Compass has been experiencing this issue since July 2020. After 11 service visits, my vehicle is still not fixed and the dealership is no longer willing to help. They say there is nothing that can be done. I have copies of all service repair orders from 2020-June 2023
NHTSA ODI #11528786
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine
Multiple times while driving, the vehicle's high coolant temperature will instantaneously spike and shut the car down while driving. The problem so far has resolved itself within a couple seconds every time but we fear what will happen when this happens on the highway. The engine temperature is never close to too hot so I believ…
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Multiple times while driving, the vehicle's high coolant temperature will instantaneously spike and shut the car down while driving. The problem so far has resolved itself within a couple seconds every time but we fear what will happen when this happens on the highway. The engine temperature is never close to too hot so I believe this to be an electrical issue.
NHTSA ODI #11527173
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2023
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
Occasionally the knob that dims the dash and infotainment screen does not work. The lights stay at full illumination. This creates a blindingly bright situation in the dark of night.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W25.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE22013 · 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.
2019 Jeep Compass Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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