NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
160 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 26, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other
Car jerks/bucks violently when accelerating, to the point of being unable to control steering and slamming me into steering wheel. This has happened numerous, numerous times. Was towed to dealership, who claimed it was a loose battery cable, charged me, and said it was good to go. The very same day I picked it up, it continues t…
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Car jerks/bucks violently when accelerating, to the point of being unable to control steering and slamming me into steering wheel. This has happened numerous, numerous times. Was towed to dealership, who claimed it was a loose battery cable, charged me, and said it was good to go. The very same day I picked it up, it continues to do this, every time I drive it. It also will die completely and not restart when in park idling. This has happened at least 20x, which was also attributed to the loose cable. However it continues to do the exact same thing as before the dealership "fixed" it. I drive in the middle of nowhere, 40 miles to work in the early morning hours, making this especially unsafe as I have been stranded on a country road alone several times, which is highly unsafe as a female. I cannot continue to drive this as it is right now as I dont know when it may just stop running or not start, or start bucking violently causing me to crash or become injured. I do have videos of this happening several times over the course of less than two hours. There has also been a couple warning lights that have come on randomly (Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light, Electronic Stability Control Active Warning Light, Service Stop/Start Warning Light) and a message (Dynamic Steering Torque). I just bought this used from a dealership July 25, 2023. It is only December 26, 2023. I dont feel safe driving this vehicle and have given the dealership an opportunity to address and fix whatever may be causing it, to no avail. I do not wish to keep this vehicle, nor do I feel safe trusting in the dealership to make it a safe vehicle for me to continue to drive.
NHTSA ODI #11561883
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2023
Engine
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY JEEP JUST CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP, IT LOCKED UP EVERYTHING. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE HEARD OF THESE PROBLEMS, THEY TESTED EVERYTHING OUT AND SAID IT WAS POSSIBLY THE BATTERY, GOT THE BATTERY REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, ONE WEEK LATER IT DID THE SAME …
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WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY JEEP JUST CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP, IT LOCKED UP EVERYTHING. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE HEARD OF THESE PROBLEMS, THEY TESTED EVERYTHING OUT AND SAID IT WAS POSSIBLY THE BATTERY, GOT THE BATTERY REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, ONE WEEK LATER IT DID THE SAME THING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND COULD NOT GET IT TO START, TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED BACK UP. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE EXPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE A ONE YR OLD CHILD THAT IS IN THE CAR WITH ME, HOW CAN I FEEL SAFE IN A CAR THAT IS GOING TO STOP SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR ON A HIGHWAY. NOONE SEEMS TO KNOW THE PROBLEM TO GET THIS FIXED SO I CAN DRIVE MY CAR SAFELY ON THE ROADS. VERY SCARY.
NHTSA ODI #11560866
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2023
Engine
As I was exiting one interstate and merging onto another one the engine stalled. A message displayed telling me the cruise had shut off (my cruise was on but not in use when the engine stalled). This is the second time this has happened - both on the highway.
NHTSA ODI #11560343
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2023
Engine
The vehicle will be shut off via auto stop start system at a traffic light, I'll let off the gas and the vehicle will sometimes take several tries to start or totally stall out and have to be manually restarted, it's dangerous.
NHTSA ODI #11556520
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
UNKNOWN Was driving while decelerating when engine stuttered and emergency brake light came on. The car then stalled and would not restart until 3rd try. This is the second time this incident has happened.
NHTSA ODI #11556519
60,000 miles · Nov 16, 2023
EnginePower Train
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle was jerking while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had since failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that there was…
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The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle was jerking while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had since failed to exceed 10 MPH while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that there was an unknown leak within the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #11555438
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
Multiple incidents over the last 5-7 weeks up to and including today 11/05/2023. When walking out and starting my Compass the engine/vehicle initially would not start. When initially pressing the start button all the dashboard lights, gauges and annunciators would illuminate but I would receive a “coolant temperature too hot” me…
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Multiple incidents over the last 5-7 weeks up to and including today 11/05/2023. When walking out and starting my Compass the engine/vehicle initially would not start. When initially pressing the start button all the dashboard lights, gauges and annunciators would illuminate but I would receive a “coolant temperature too hot” message on the dashboard and the car ultimately would not turnover and start but rather just shut down completely. Upon waiting a couple seconds I tried to start it again and this time it would start up just fine all normal without any messages on the dashboard. In other occurrences I’d receive multiple dashboard messages which included the ESS system but after turning off and trying to start again my Compass would not and I’d have to jumpstart the battery In order to successfully start the vehicle. From what I have researched and read on myjeepforums and Reddit it seems that many Compass owners going back to 2019/2020 are currently having or have gone through this same problem ultimately spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on part replacements and dealership visits only to be told that they cannot find the problem or know what may be causing the problem even though they are well aware of these issues. Some complaints have stated that this issue has happened while driving on major expressways or busy roads at random causing them to just come to a complete stop in the middle of traffic on expressways or during turns! I am taking my Compass to the dealership tomorrow morning 11/06/2023 at 7am to make them known of these issues I am having but I’m not holding out any hope. Jeep has not issued any recalls since this problem was brought to late in 2020. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle any longer and I will not spend thousands of dollars on random part replacements when dealerships or outright telling other compass owners that they can’t locate or college the problem. My next step after tomorrow may be to consult a lawyer.
NHTSA ODI #11553685
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other
Parked and turned off Jeep went into store and when I came out got in vehicle check engine light came on and it said high coolant temperature but it weren’t hot. Would not start. Flashing all kinds of stuff.
NHTSA ODI #11549078
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2023
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
The vehicle will show that it is overheating when it is not and it will power down where you are only able to go around 50. When going over mountain passes it will do this and sometimes it will totally shut down. It will do it in town and any time it is at a traffic light. Sensors, water pump have been replaced. Antifreeze do…
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The vehicle will show that it is overheating when it is not and it will power down where you are only able to go around 50. When going over mountain passes it will do this and sometimes it will totally shut down. It will do it in town and any time it is at a traffic light. Sensors, water pump have been replaced. Antifreeze does not leak stays at the same level it is not actually overheating. When you beging to drive again at about 65 the gauge immediately goes to normal. This is a hazard
NHTSA ODI #11546677
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
Car was at the gas pump. Filling up gas, then start the car. When car get started the engine suddenly turn off with the coolant temperature too high alert. The temperature on the dashboard is normal (middle). Engine wouldn't turn on after and the alert keeps popping up. Had to tow to the nearest jeep service
NHTSA ODI #11545462
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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