IllustrationTHIS IS MY THIRD TIME WITH AN ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE STALLING. I WAS TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR JUST STALLED LIGHTING UP EVERY NOTIFYING SIGNAL INCLUDING AN EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING LOCKED IN ALMOST CAUSING AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
2019 Jeep Compass
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Compass years
Owner complaints for the 2019 Jeep Compass are substantially higher than the model-year median of 126.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Compass years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
630–25K
2225–50K
1050–75K
375–100K
5100–150K
0150K+
103 reports with mileage · 226 unknown
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 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 143 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
329 reportsVEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY AND THE SECOND AT AN INTERSECTION.
TERRIBLE BREAKING AND POOR TRACTION CONTROL WHILE BREAKING, CAUSING THE CAR TO SLIDE ALL OVER OVER THE ROAD
THIS CAR SHUT OFF A RED LIGHT AT BUSY INTERSECTION BECAUSE OF THE START/STOP TECHNOLOGY. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED AND I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR DID NOT RESTART. IT DID NOT RESTART WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS EITHER. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PRESS THE START BUTTON TWICE TO GET IT TO COME BACK ON. THIS VERY UNSAFE AND…
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THIS CAR SHUT OFF A RED LIGHT AT BUSY INTERSECTION BECAUSE OF THE START/STOP TECHNOLOGY. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED AND I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR DID NOT RESTART. IT DID NOT RESTART WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS EITHER. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PRESS THE START BUTTON TWICE TO GET IT TO COME BACK ON. THIS VERY UNSAFE AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 400 MILES TOTAL ON IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUTTON FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUTTON FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO POSNER PARK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT (LOCATED AT 42650 US-27, DAVENPORT, FL 33837, (863) 438-3333) MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 431.
THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE IN MY CAR IS NOT RELIABLE. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE INSTANCES WHEN I'VE BEEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES START, AND THEN AS SOON AS I HIT THE GAS, MY CAR STALLS. I THEN HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF COMPLETELY, AND START IT AGAIN. THIS OBVIOUS…
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THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE IN MY CAR IS NOT RELIABLE. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE INSTANCES WHEN I'VE BEEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES START, AND THEN AS SOON AS I HIT THE GAS, MY CAR STALLS. I THEN HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF COMPLETELY, AND START IT AGAIN. THIS OBVIOUSLY STRIKES HIGH CONCERN DUE TO THE STRONG POSSIBILITY OF BEING REAR ENDED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW. I LEFT AGITATED. I JUST PURCHASED MY VEHICLE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO.
PARKED 2019 JEEP COMPASS IN NORMAL PARKING LOT WENT INSIDE FOR A FEW HOURS THEN HEARD POPPING NOISES FROM PARKING LOT. RAN OUTSIDE TO SEE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURST INTO FLAMES VIA THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGING THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER FLAMES PUT OUT, THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE HOOD OF THE CAR GOING …
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PARKED 2019 JEEP COMPASS IN NORMAL PARKING LOT WENT INSIDE FOR A FEW HOURS THEN HEARD POPPING NOISES FROM PARKING LOT. RAN OUTSIDE TO SEE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURST INTO FLAMES VIA THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGING THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER FLAMES PUT OUT, THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE HOOD OF THE CAR GOING DOWN INTO THE ENGINE THAT DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD, BUMPER, ENGINE, LIGHT, TIRES AND DOORS. OTHER CARS AROUND MINE WERE DAMAGED AS WELL AS THE FIRE SPREAD. WAS PARKED AT HOTEL PARKING LOT FOR A FEW HOURS BEFORE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
2019 JEEP COMPASS LATITUDE PURCHASE DATE: 7/14/19 MILEAGE: 26 FIRST INCIDENT: 7/16/19 MILEAGE: APPROX 75 ON WAY HOME FROM WORK APPROX 7:00PM. AUTO START/STOP FEATURE ENGAGED, STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT IN TRAFFIC. ENGINE SHUT DOWN AS NORMAL, TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN, TOOK FOOT OFF OF BRAKE TO ACCELERATE, CAR WOULD NOT ACCE…
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2019 JEEP COMPASS LATITUDE PURCHASE DATE: 7/14/19 MILEAGE: 26 FIRST INCIDENT: 7/16/19 MILEAGE: APPROX 75 ON WAY HOME FROM WORK APPROX 7:00PM. AUTO START/STOP FEATURE ENGAGED, STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT IN TRAFFIC. ENGINE SHUT DOWN AS NORMAL, TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN, TOOK FOOT OFF OF BRAKE TO ACCELERATE, CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND HAD TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND PRESS THE START/STOP ENGINE BUTTON TO GET THE CAR TO RESTART AND THEN RAN AS NORMAL SECOND INCIDENT: 7/18/19 MILEAGE: APPROX 100 ON WAY HOME FROM WORK APPROX 5:30PM. AUTO START/STOP FEATURE DISABLED, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CAR IN FRONT TURNING RIGHT, SLOWED DOWN TO ALLOW THE OTHER CAR TO TURN, COMPASS WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AGAIN AFTERWARDS. PULLED OVER AND STOPPED COMPLETELY, EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALERTED THAT IT HAD SOMEHOW BEEN ENGAGED (I DID NOT ENGAGE IT). HAD TO PUT CAR INTO PARK AND PRESS START/STOP ENGINE BUTTON TO RESTART CAR, THEN DROVE AS NORMAL. AS A RESULT OF THESE TWO INCIDENTS I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR.
CAR WON'T GO AFTER STOPPING WHEN FOOT IS OFF BREAK
AFTER GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND COMING TO A STOP AT THE LIGHT, I WENT TO TURN AND MY CAR STALLED OUT AS I WAS TURNING. I WAS ON A ONE LANE OVERPASS WITH NO WAY TO PULL OVER. IT WOULDN'T EVEN REGISTER THAT I WAS TRYING TO TURN OFF MY VEHICLE FOR A MINUTE. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR AND KEEP DRIVING.
Official recalls
220V208000 · 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.
18V523000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Aug 9, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan and Jeep Compass, 2018 Dodge Journey, and 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U86.
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
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.