NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
37 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 19, 2022
Electrical SystemService Brakes
2019 Jeep Compass Limited - around May 2021 brake light comes on stays on for awhile then turns off and on at random while driving and while stopped. Then the brake fluid low light comes on randomly while driving or stopped. Then has to go away since it’s where speedometer is then the brake light stays on. Then the auto start/s…
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2019 Jeep Compass Limited - around May 2021 brake light comes on stays on for awhile then turns off and on at random while driving and while stopped. Then the brake fluid low light comes on randomly while driving or stopped. Then has to go away since it’s where speedometer is then the brake light stays on. Then the auto start/stop light said unavailable. Then the 4 wheel drive unavailable light randomly pops up not as often as the brake lights which are daily actually like 15+ times a trip which also means it is dinging every time a light goes off. I have been to the dealer several times and nothing is ever fixed. This is a safety hazard I can not have my family in this Jeep if I have a faulty brake and electrical system !!! There are lots of issues posted online about this faulty electrical system. How can Jeep excpect me to drive around with possible faulty brakes?? seems a recall needs to happen as this is a safety hazard!!! I will not even be able to pass emissions and get it registered if I have error messages! Almost 10 months and still having this ONGOING daily error message issue and dealer is of NO help as well it is reported to Jeep customer care. Which they don’t care either. Seems everyone knows about this electrical issue and from what I read it just gets worse !! How can brakes and faulty electrical system not be a hazard??!! I do not feel safe and don’t even want this Jeep at all. Come on Jeep Do you want your children/spouses/parents driving such a death trap?
NHTSA ODI #11448126
31,000 miles · Feb 19, 2021
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes
TODAY MY CAR STOPPED (AGAIN) IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS I WAS DRIVING AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND I AM LITERALLY SCARED OUT OF MIND TO DRIVE THIS CAR THAT I PURCHASED FOR MY BIRTHDAY. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS AND THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI #11396951
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesSuspension
I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVE LASTNIGHT JUST LIKE EVERY NIGHT; AND I WALKED OUT THIS MORNING AND THE BACK END OF MY CAR WAS IN THE STREET! IT ROLLED BACK MORE THAN HALF OF MY DRIVEWAY! PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT YES IT SNOWED HERE IN NJ HOWEVER THERE WAS ROCK SALT (A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT ON MY DRIVEWAY - TOWNSHIP GRADE) THERE WAS A VERY…
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I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVE LASTNIGHT JUST LIKE EVERY NIGHT; AND I WALKED OUT THIS MORNING AND THE BACK END OF MY CAR WAS IN THE STREET! IT ROLLED BACK MORE THAN HALF OF MY DRIVEWAY! PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT YES IT SNOWED HERE IN NJ HOWEVER THERE WAS ROCK SALT (A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT ON MY DRIVEWAY - TOWNSHIP GRADE) THERE WAS A VERY LIGHT AMOUNT OF SNOW NOTHING CRAZY THAT WOULD'VE CAUSED THIS. MY DRIVEWAY IS NOT A HILL OR HARSH SLOPPING AT ALL. I'M CONCERNED FOR NOT ONLY MY SAFETY AND OF COURSE FOR MY CAR, BUT WHAT IF THAT ROLLED FURTHER?... WHAT IF IT HIT SOMEONE WALKING THEIR DOG.. OR ANOTHER VEHICLE PASSING BY?
NHTSA ODI #11394598
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
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
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
54,000 miles · Aug 27, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
THE VEHICLE WONT START OCCASIONALLY. YOU CAN PRESS THE IGNITION, AND IT SAYS ITS ON, BUT THE ENGINE DOESNT TURN OVER. I HAVE NOTICED IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IF YOU 3NGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE. TO "CORRECT" YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, PRESS THE IGNITION BUTTON AGAIN UNTIL IT SHUT…
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THE VEHICLE WONT START OCCASIONALLY. YOU CAN PRESS THE IGNITION, AND IT SAYS ITS ON, BUT THE ENGINE DOESNT TURN OVER. I HAVE NOTICED IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IF YOU 3NGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE. TO "CORRECT" YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, PRESS THE IGNITION BUTTON AGAIN UNTIL IT SHUTS OFF, AND THEN REAPPLY YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE DEPRESSING IT AS FAR AS YOU CAN PRESS IT AND THEN PRESS THE IGNITION BUTTON AGAIN. THERE IS A MOMENT OF HESITATION AND THEN IT STARTS UP. ADDITIONALLY THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF ON ME AT AN INTERSECTION WITH THE AUTO START FEATURE ON, AND WOULDNT RESTART WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. I HAD TO FOLLOW THE SAME PROCEDURE DESCRIBE ABOVE TO "CORRECT" THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF THIS, I NO LONGER RUN THE CAR WITH THE AUTO START FEATURE BECAUSE ITS UNRELIABLE. ITS ALWAYS BEEN A BIT OF A ROUGH START WHENEVER I HAVE LEFT IT ON, CAUSING ME TO WONDER IF ITS ACTUALLY GOING TO START.
NHTSA ODI #11351488
10,000 miles · May 10, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
I COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE TAPPING SOON AFTER BUYING THE BRAND NEW CAR IN AUGUST 2019 NOTHING WAS DONE. 5/9/20 I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND AS I GOT READY TO PULL INTO A BUSY STREET THE TRUCK CUT OFF AND THE PARKING BREAK ENGAGED. IT TOOK ME 5 MINS TO GET IT RESTARTED AND ATTEMPTED TO BACK UP AND IT CUT OFF AGAIN. MY BREAKS H…
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I COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE TAPPING SOON AFTER BUYING THE BRAND NEW CAR IN AUGUST 2019 NOTHING WAS DONE. 5/9/20 I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND AS I GOT READY TO PULL INTO A BUSY STREET THE TRUCK CUT OFF AND THE PARKING BREAK ENGAGED. IT TOOK ME 5 MINS TO GET IT RESTARTED AND ATTEMPTED TO BACK UP AND IT CUT OFF AGAIN. MY BREAKS HAVE BEEN FEELING AS THOUGH THEY ARE GRINDING. MY CLOCK HAS CHANGED TIME ON THE TRUCK FROM REGULAR TIME TO MILITARY TIME. WHEN MOVING MY CAR INTO DRIVE MY CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324019
5,000 miles · Jan 14, 2020
Service Brakes
MY BRAKES STARTED GRINDING AT 5,000 MILES BUT IT IS INCONSISTENT, MAINLY FROM COLD TO START AND ANOTHER TIME IT DID IT FREQUENTLY DURING THE DAY.
NHTSA ODI #11299426
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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