NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
160 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 27, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
This 2019 Jeep Compass, has mixed the coolant and oil causing a blown head gasket, according to the dealership, it needs a new engine, and something that is too common on the Jeep Compass, as mine is shy over 8k it is not covered under warranty. No warning lights came on, no lights of high temperature in the transmission, oil or…
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This 2019 Jeep Compass, has mixed the coolant and oil causing a blown head gasket, according to the dealership, it needs a new engine, and something that is too common on the Jeep Compass, as mine is shy over 8k it is not covered under warranty. No warning lights came on, no lights of high temperature in the transmission, oil or coolant. The car did stall in the middle of the road, causing risk for myself and the child I had in the car. As this is a common problem with the Jeep Compass, how is this major issue not a recall? Why is Jeep/ Chrysler waiting and endangering many of their consumers lives, and not fixing this issue??? The vehicle is available for inspection, with towing being invovled as I am terrified to drive this vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11574234
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine
A few minutes into the drive, the “Coolant Temperature Too High” warning appeared on the dashboard screen and the temperature gauge shot all the up and then immediately all the way down before correcting itself. This occurred while accelerating after a turn.
NHTSA ODI #11572758
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine
Temperature gauge spiked momentarily, the car lost power for 2 to 3 seconds, then restarted by itself. This occurred while driving at approx 10 mph. This is a very dangerous situation. I have read online that others have had similar issues, and that dealers cannot resolve it.
NHTSA ODI #11572256
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently turned off while the vehicle was idling. The contact shifted the gear shifter into park and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The…
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The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently turned off while the vehicle was idling. The contact shifted the gear shifter into park and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI #11568724
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2024
Engine
engine is over heating and now the transmission is having problems its only 5 years old. My safety is important the car could have caught fire and it slowed down while i was on the highway that could get me in an accident
NHTSA ODI #11568564
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
Complete vehicle shut down while driving. You can be driving and it shuts off on its own which is so dangerous almost caused A severe accident. Took to dealer prior nothing is wrong with any parts on my vehicle this is some malfunctioning with the design. I have a 2019 jeep compass Trailhawk. This is the 6th time doing this to …
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Complete vehicle shut down while driving. You can be driving and it shuts off on its own which is so dangerous almost caused A severe accident. Took to dealer prior nothing is wrong with any parts on my vehicle this is some malfunctioning with the design. I have a 2019 jeep compass Trailhawk. This is the 6th time doing this to me. After a few days it restarts with no issues.
NHTSA ODI #11564001
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2024
Engine
The "coolant temperature too high" error message has flashed three times, the first on 10/22/2023, the second on 12/19/2023 and the third on 12/22/2023. In one instance the "service parking brake" error message flashed as well. This instance was four days after the vehicle passed the state safety inspection and the dealer made …
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The "coolant temperature too high" error message has flashed three times, the first on 10/22/2023, the second on 12/19/2023 and the third on 12/22/2023. In one instance the "service parking brake" error message flashed as well. This instance was four days after the vehicle passed the state safety inspection and the dealer made no notes of needed repairs to the brake system. Thankfully in all instances, the vehicle was parked and not in motion which prevented the cause of a safety issue to myself or other drivers on the road. The first time this occurred was after the vehicle had been parked overnight and for most of the next day whereas the last two were after short drives. There are no stored messages in the gauge cluster and no DTC codes when checking with a code reader via the OBDII port. I also checked the coolant level after each instance and the level was good each time. No other warning lamps, messages or symptoms happened prior to this message. I have not had the vehicle diagnosed by the dealer or an independent mechanic. I have seen this issue reported multiple times on Jeep forums and in all cases, the issue was never reproduced and best efforts were used to fix the issue but FCA has not been able to provide one. I have read that batteries, sensors, etc. have been replaced but the issue still remains. I came here today to report this, knowing that there was an open investigation but found that the investigation was closed in 12/2023. I felt that I should report my instances anyway in hopes that if I do and others also come forward that the investigation may be reopened. While no crash, fire, injury or fatality have been reported yet, there is a strong possibility that any of these could occur.
NHTSA ODI #11563482
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2024
Engine
Car stalled out while idling at red light. Car had to be towed to dealer!!replaced battery !! Stalled again dealer said the cause was faulty door latches!! Car stalled again, had to be towed to dealer , kept for 5 days!! All codes cleared , incident never repeated!!!
NHTSA ODI #11563192
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
My vehicle randomly stopped on the freeway one morning. I had no warning signs or lights on at the moment. This has occurred for the second time in the past few months. I took it to the dealership, and they acted strange as if they did not want to be held responsible for diagnosing the vehicle. I took it to another mechanic, and…
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My vehicle randomly stopped on the freeway one morning. I had no warning signs or lights on at the moment. This has occurred for the second time in the past few months. I took it to the dealership, and they acted strange as if they did not want to be held responsible for diagnosing the vehicle. I took it to another mechanic, and he stated that the car has a major electrical issue. This is something extremely dangerous, not only to myself but to other drivers around me.
NHTSA ODI #11563089
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2023
Engine
Took it for regular maintenance and was told both batteries needed to be replaced. Replaced them a month later car wouldn’t start, got it to start and completely shut off while going 60 mph.
NHTSA ODI #11562795
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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