NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
329 reports29,000 miles · Jan 22, 2021
Engine
ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS NOW THE CAR RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS ONCE IT WAS ON THE HIGHWAY- THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AND STARTS TO DECELERATE- YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND THE CAR IS HARD TO CONTROL- THE LAST INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT- HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIME…
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ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS NOW THE CAR RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS ONCE IT WAS ON THE HIGHWAY- THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AND STARTS TO DECELERATE- YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND THE CAR IS HARD TO CONTROL- THE LAST INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT- HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY ARE BASICALLY JUST THROWING DARTS AT TRYING TO FIX IT. THE FIRST FIX WAS JUST A COMPUTER UPDATE, THE SECOND FIX WAS A THERMOSTAT AND HOUSING THE THIRD FIX WAS AN AUXILIARY BATTERY?
NHTSA ODI #11389355
47,400 miles · Jan 15, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
SO MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN REALLY SLUGGISH. HALF THE TIME IT DOESN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE, AND WHEN IT DOES IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS. WHEN GETTING ON THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLE WILL GET TO THE SPEED OF 50 MPH AND MY RPM READING BETWEEN 4000-5000. I HAVE TRIED TO LET MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, MY SPEED GOES DOWN BUT RPM …
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SO MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN REALLY SLUGGISH. HALF THE TIME IT DOESN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE, AND WHEN IT DOES IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS. WHEN GETTING ON THE FREEWAY MY VEHICLE WILL GET TO THE SPEED OF 50 MPH AND MY RPM READING BETWEEN 4000-5000. I HAVE TRIED TO LET MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, MY SPEED GOES DOWN BUT RPM STAYS THE SAME. THIS IS REALLY SCARY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE TO GET ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 70, AND YOU CAN ONLY GO 50-55. I AM A FIRST RESPONDER, SOME TIMES I USE MY PERSONAL VEHICLE TO RESPOND TO INCIDENTS, DUE TO LOCATION.
NHTSA ODI #11388400
200 miles · Jan 13, 2021
Service Brakes
FROM PURCHASE DATE THE BRAKES FELT BAD. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO 2 DEALERSHIPS AND 3 TIMES TOTAL TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GRINDING AND BRAKE GRABBING AND TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG OR NO RECALLS, SO THEY DIDN'T WANT TO ADDRESS THIS ONGOING ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11387806
39,000 miles · Dec 7, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR IT WILL TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THE CAR TURNS ON AS IF IT WILL START BUT DOESN'T COMPLETELY CRANK. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME SINCE I'VE HAD THIS CAR THAT IT HAS NOT CRANK. IT HAS ALSO TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AND DID NOT TURN BACK ON. THIS IS A…
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WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR IT WILL TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THE CAR TURNS ON AS IF IT WILL START BUT DOESN'T COMPLETELY CRANK. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME SINCE I'VE HAD THIS CAR THAT IT HAS NOT CRANK. IT HAS ALSO TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AND DID NOT TURN BACK ON. THIS IS A PROBLEM I SEE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THIS SIMILAR VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11378257
37,000 miles · Nov 26, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringWheels
MAKING A TURN AROUND AND THE CAR WENT OVER THE CURB BARELY AT 20 MPH OR SLOWER AND THEN THE CAR BECAME IN DRIVABLE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE RACK AND PINION IS BROKEN AND THAT JEEP HAS A 700+ PEOPLE WAITING LIST FOR THE PART BECAUSE THERE IS A BUG IN THE PART AND THEY REFUSED TO RELEASE IT TO THE PEOPLE SO NOW I DON'T HAVE A CAR TO …
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MAKING A TURN AROUND AND THE CAR WENT OVER THE CURB BARELY AT 20 MPH OR SLOWER AND THEN THE CAR BECAME IN DRIVABLE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE RACK AND PINION IS BROKEN AND THAT JEEP HAS A 700+ PEOPLE WAITING LIST FOR THE PART BECAUSE THERE IS A BUG IN THE PART AND THEY REFUSED TO RELEASE IT TO THE PEOPLE SO NOW I DON'T HAVE A CAR TO DRIVE ALL BECAUSE I RAN OVER A CURB GOING LESS THAN 20 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11376464
40,000 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
I BOUGHT MY JEEP MARCH 2019 AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER THE RADIO STARTS PRESSING BUTTONS BY ITSELF. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DODGE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE NEXT THING TO GO WRONG IS THE AUTO START STOPS WORKING. I GOT STUCK AT SEVERAL RED LIGHTS AND ALMOST REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES…
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I BOUGHT MY JEEP MARCH 2019 AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER THE RADIO STARTS PRESSING BUTTONS BY ITSELF. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DODGE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE NEXT THING TO GO WRONG IS THE AUTO START STOPS WORKING. I GOT STUCK AT SEVERAL RED LIGHTS AND ALMOST REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES. I TOOK IT BACK TO DODGE AND THEY STILL SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IT DIDNT THROW ANY CODES AT ADVANCED AUTO. THEN LASTLY, IT FINALLY GOES OUT. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF ON MY IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT JUST STOPS. BREAKS SEIZED. LIGHTS FLICKERING OFF AND ON. CAR IS REGISTERED AS ON BUT WONT GO ANYWHERE. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS NOW AND IT STILL WONT START NOR EVEN SHOW A LIGHT ON THE DASH. NOW THAT I ONLY HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY LEFT THEY ARE NKW SAYING I HAVE TO PAY 3I FOR A NEW ECU OUT OF POCKET. HOW IS THIS FAIR. I BOUGHT A NEW VEHICLE SO I WOULDNT HAVE THESE ISSUES. I STILL OWE 29K ON SOMETHING I CANT AMUSE EVER AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11373080
22,000 miles · Oct 14, 2020
Parking Brake
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE PARKING BRAKE INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARRIGO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF SAWGRASS (5901 MADI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE PARKING BRAKE INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARRIGO CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF SAWGRASS (5901 MADISON AVE, TAMARAC, FL 33321) HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAILURE CODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS AND THAT THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000.
NHTSA ODI #11364287
8,000 miles · Sep 16, 2020
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY, RATTLED, AND BECAME UNSTABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
NHTSA ODI #11355365
39,600 miles · Sep 13, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
I CAME TO A RED LIGHT; MY CAR CUT OFF LIKE NORMAL; WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I HAD TO CUT MY HAZARDS ON. I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND TRIED TO TURN MY VEHICLE ON. I TRIED 3 TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED. MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING WEIRD NOISES; ON MY CONTROL PANEL IT SAID START/STOP NOT READY BA…
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I CAME TO A RED LIGHT; MY CAR CUT OFF LIKE NORMAL; WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I HAD TO CUT MY HAZARDS ON. I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND TRIED TO TURN MY VEHICLE ON. I TRIED 3 TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED. MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING WEIRD NOISES; ON MY CONTROL PANEL IT SAID START/STOP NOT READY BATTERY PROTECTION MODE. I PARKED MY CAR AND LET IT COOL OF FOR 2 HOURS. I GOT IN MY VEHICLE, STARTED, LEFT MY HOUSE, WHEN I GOT TO THE STOP SIGN. IT DID THE SAME THING. IM HONESTLY SCARED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11354784
12,000 miles · Sep 9, 2020
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING FOR A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE PARKING BRAKE ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING FOR A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE PARKING BRAKE ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT CALLED HERTRICH DODGE (1147 E PULASKI HWY, ELKTON, MD 21921, (443) 907-1500) AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO ACTIONS COULD BE TAKEN UNLESS THE FAILURE WAS PRESENT BEFORE A ROAD TEST COULD BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11353969
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.