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2021 Jeep Compass

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 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: 13 of 80 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

34 reports
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86,000 miles · Sep 14, 2026
Electrical SystemPower Train

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled in the middle of the highway. The vehicle lost power, but was able to be restarted, and the vehicle drove in LIMP Mode to the dealer. The "D" on the instrument panel was flashing during failure, and there was an e…

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The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled in the middle of the highway. The vehicle lost power, but was able to be restarted, and the vehicle drove in LIMP Mode to the dealer. The "D" on the instrument panel was flashing during failure, and there was an electrical odor inside the vehicle. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was unable to reproduce failure but serviced the auxiliary battery and reprogrammed the transmission; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #11764065

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2026
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Screen glitching can’t use touch screen and rear view camera not available when screen is glitching.

NHTSA ODI #11762302

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding my 2021 Jeep Compass, particularly concerning recurring mechanical, electrical, and safety-related problems that have created serious concerns about the vehicle's reliability and safe operation. The most concerning issue is the vehicle's unexpected s…

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To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding my 2021 Jeep Compass, particularly concerning recurring mechanical, electrical, and safety-related problems that have created serious concerns about the vehicle's reliability and safe operation. The most concerning issue is the vehicle's unexpected stalling at low speeds, particularly associated with the 2.4L engine. Unexpected loss of power while driving at low speeds creates a significant safety concern because it can occur when entering intersections, turning, maneuvering through traffic, or attempting to accelerate from a stopped or slow-moving position. In addition to the stalling issue, I have experienced or am concerned about the following problems: 1. Transmission Problems The vehicle has demonstrated concerning transmission behavior, including: Rough or abnormal shifting Delayed acceleration Delayed engagement Unresponsive or delayed gear changes Hesitation when attempting to accelerate Behavior that may contribute to the vehicle unexpectedly losing power or momentum These symptoms raise concerns regarding the transmission's proper operation and the possibility that transmission performance may be contributing to the vehicle's stalling and delayed acceleration. 2. Electrical System Problems The vehicle has also experienced significant electrical concerns, including: Infotainment screen freezing or becoming unresponsive Battery becoming completely or significantly discharged after sitting overnight Suspected parasitic battery drain Random or unexplained dashboard warning lights Electrical/electronic systems intermittently malfunctioning These issues are particularly concerning because intermittent electrical problems can be difficult to diagnose and may affect other vehicle systems, including safety-related components. 3. Backup Camera and Safety Concerns I am also concerned about failures involving the vehicle's backup camera and safety-related wiring, including poten

NHTSA ODI #11759991

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

The engine will shut off completely while traveling a a normal rate of speed. The temperature gauge will malfunction and report high temperature (when there is none) and the engine will shut off. It cannot be restarted without putting the car in park and pressing the brake while in the midst of moving traffic. This has happen…

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The engine will shut off completely while traveling a a normal rate of speed. The temperature gauge will malfunction and report high temperature (when there is none) and the engine will shut off. It cannot be restarted without putting the car in park and pressing the brake while in the midst of moving traffic. This has happened to me multiple times. At first, turning off the auto stop/start feature would prevent this form happening but turning it off no longer prevents this. This happens randomly and cannot be reproduced manually. It is also extremely dangerous and upsetting when this happens in highway traffic at speed. The Jeep also seems to have a parasitic drain on the battery and both batteries had to be replaced by the dealer. My research shows that there have been alt least 15 similar complaints filed.

NHTSA ODI #11738824

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2026
Electrical System

The infotainment screen in my 2021 Jeep Compass has developed a display failure where the screen is glitching and unusable. The issue persists after restarting the vehicle and appears to be a hardware malfunction. This affects visibility of navigation, backup camera, and vehicle settings, which creates a potential safety concern…

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The infotainment screen in my 2021 Jeep Compass has developed a display failure where the screen is glitching and unusable. The issue persists after restarting the vehicle and appears to be a hardware malfunction. This affects visibility of navigation, backup camera, and vehicle settings, which creates a potential safety concern while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11726595

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2026
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

[XXX] nearly three minutes after dropping my kids off to school, driving near the [XXX] ! My jeep begin to accelerate, I couldn’t control the brakes or steering wheel! I became very scared as I approached a curve upon me reaching the curve, the dashboard and radio screen completely blacked out! I lose complete control of the veh…

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[XXX] nearly three minutes after dropping my kids off to school, driving near the [XXX] ! My jeep begin to accelerate, I couldn’t control the brakes or steering wheel! I became very scared as I approached a curve upon me reaching the curve, the dashboard and radio screen completely blacked out! I lose complete control of the vehicle, hit and embankment and tree! Cause injuries to my left wrist! I’m still in a splint and have a 5lbs restriction in place, with abrasions to my face as well! Found out from the adjuster yesterday they can’t even get the vehicle to start to retrieve any needed information! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11722645

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2026
Electrical System

While driving, the 2021 Jeep Compass displays "Coolant Temperature High: Shutting Down" even though the car temperature gauge indicates normal engine temperature. Following the warning notification, the vehicle came to a complete stop. Fortunately, I was not going fast and was able to drift into a parking lot space. After sev…

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While driving, the 2021 Jeep Compass displays "Coolant Temperature High: Shutting Down" even though the car temperature gauge indicates normal engine temperature. Following the warning notification, the vehicle came to a complete stop. Fortunately, I was not going fast and was able to drift into a parking lot space. After several minutes, the vehicle started again and drove normally. If this was to happen at high speed or on a congested highway, someone could be seriously injured or killed. I have seen on other online forums that this is a somewhat common issue with the Jeep Compass. However, after many different service procedures have been attempted from reports online, it appears that no solution has been determined or suggested by the manufacturer.

NHTSA ODI #11714001

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

The high coolant temperature light cut on and turned my vehicle off while driving. This problem has been reported on older model Jeep compasses. The car never turned back on and I had to get my vehicle towed home.

NHTSA ODI #11713673

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2026
Electrical SystemEngine

Multiple times now at random, car will go from normal temp to overheating on the gauge for a moment. Shuts down in doing so regardless of being driven. Then will instantly think its cooling back down to normal. When it reaches normal it resumes normal driving abilities. While the temp is going up and down on the gauge the center…

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Multiple times now at random, car will go from normal temp to overheating on the gauge for a moment. Shuts down in doing so regardless of being driven. Then will instantly think its cooling back down to normal. When it reaches normal it resumes normal driving abilities. While the temp is going up and down on the gauge the center of the cluster tells you "high coolant temperature". No codes or pending codes can be found. Thermostat housing and sensor have been replaced and still occurring at random. Researching online forms, lots of complaints of same issues with no resolve, spending thousands of dollars and trips to dealers and shops to not be resolved. This is a huge safety hazard as you can not move out of the way of others when it happens and occurs both when driving and stopped situations.

NHTSA ODI #11708664

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2025
Electrical System

On November 1, 2025, while backing my 2021 Jeep Compass out of the driveway, I noticed the rearview camera started 'jumping' and displaying colored lines. I pulled the vehicle in front of my home, and suddenly there was loud banging and the engine light started flashing. I immediately turned the vehicle off, and it would not s…

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On November 1, 2025, while backing my 2021 Jeep Compass out of the driveway, I noticed the rearview camera started 'jumping' and displaying colored lines. I pulled the vehicle in front of my home, and suddenly there was loud banging and the engine light started flashing. I immediately turned the vehicle off, and it would not start again. I contacted the Jeep dealership Monday morning, November 3, 2025 to advise the vehicle started making loud noises, engine light flashing, rearview camera not displaying properly. The Jeep was subsequently towed to the dealer. I was advised by service tech that there was a fluid leak in the trans pump area. I was also told the vehicle did not pass a battery check, and gave authorization to replace the main battery. The service tech advised the radio needed to be replaced, I told him the radio played fine, but the rearview camera malfunctioned while backing the car out. He said the rearview signal is from the radio, I declined to replaced the radio. I have had several issues with the 2021 Jeep, included oil leakage, and now transmission leakage. I also note certain 2021 Jeep Compass models have rearview camera issues, and upon calling Stellantis November 24, 2025, they advise my particular vehicle is not affected. I disagree. The vehicle has regular maintenance (oil changes) and has 24,200 original miles. I believe this to be a defect and also a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI #11701512

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.