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2020 Jeep Compass

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Jeep Compass do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 126.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 31 of 139 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Forward Collision Avoidance complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision Avoidance

The vehicle was in motion going 40 MPH when the dashboard displayed high coolant temp. The dashboard continued to flash other warnings such as check engine and oil change required. Then, the emergency brake light was on, engine light, and oil light. This caused the vehicle to lose total power in the accelerator and partial power…

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The vehicle was in motion going 40 MPH when the dashboard displayed high coolant temp. The dashboard continued to flash other warnings such as check engine and oil change required. Then, the emergency brake light was on, engine light, and oil light. This caused the vehicle to lose total power in the accelerator and partial power in the brakes. The event led my vehicle to cause a complete stop in the middle of a highway. To the resolve the issue, I powered off the engine and restarted the vehicle. After powering the vehicle back on, all was normal other than the check engine light was still on, but it did run perfectly fine. Coolant level in reservoir is normal. This instance has taken place on multiple occasions.

NHTSA ODI #11519182

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash

8/30/2022 Started the vehicle in the drive way foot still engaged on break and the vehicle accelerated forward with my foot on break and damaged my home and vehicle. 8/28/22 Emergency Break engaged on its own and we couldn’t move the vehicle it was turned off and restarted. 8/27/22 vehicle information screen was blank and black …

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8/30/2022 Started the vehicle in the drive way foot still engaged on break and the vehicle accelerated forward with my foot on break and damaged my home and vehicle. 8/28/22 Emergency Break engaged on its own and we couldn’t move the vehicle it was turned off and restarted. 8/27/22 vehicle information screen was blank and black after starting the vehicle..this happened at least three times.

NHTSA ODI #11482006

4,000 miles · Mar 8, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH WITH NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THE CAR STARTED DINGING AND THE WORD BRAKE! CAME UP ON THE DASH - AGAIN, NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED THE BRAKE AND IT WENT AWAY - TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE FRONT CAMERA WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH- N…

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WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH WITH NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THE CAR STARTED DINGING AND THE WORD BRAKE! CAME UP ON THE DASH - AGAIN, NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED THE BRAKE AND IT WENT AWAY - TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE FRONT CAMERA WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. ABOUT A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH- NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME - THE SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY THIS TIME THE CAR SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON ON IT'S OWN AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY CANT' DIAGNOSE WHAT'S HAPPENING BECAUSE THERE'S NO CODES.

NHTSA ODI #11399701

600 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Forward Collision Avoidance

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FAILED FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED WAS NOT REDUCED NEITHER WAS THERE A WARNING OF STOPPED VEHICLES AHEAD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE FORWARD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FAILED FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED WAS NOT REDUCED NEITHER WAS THERE A WARNING OF STOPPED VEHICLES AHEAD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROWN'S JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM LOCATED AT (483 NY-112, PATCHOGUE, NY 11772) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FRONT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.

NHTSA ODI #11319222

Official recalls

1

20V208000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Apr 9, 2020

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.

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.