IllustrationStopped at red light and coolant over heating warning came on screen and vehicle would not move. Powered vehicle down and back up and engine was revving aggressively. Turned vehicle back on after a few minutes and it was fine like nothing happened. At no point was the vehicle actually overheating.
2020 Jeep Compass
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2020 Jeep Compass do not stand out strongly from 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
Limited mileage data: 31 of 139 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.
- Engine. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
65 reportsVehicle started indicating High Coolant temperature then engine would shut down. It would restart after shut off. Radio would fade in an out . While vehicle was in motion the engine should shut down and had to pull over and restart the vehicle. This happened on several occasions before the vehicle completely shut down. Towed …
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Vehicle started indicating High Coolant temperature then engine would shut down. It would restart after shut off. Radio would fade in an out . While vehicle was in motion the engine should shut down and had to pull over and restart the vehicle. This happened on several occasions before the vehicle completely shut down. Towed vehicle to dealership with a repair of $700 to replace both batteries.
Electrical transmission problem. Car stopped working in the middle of street almost got in accident. Won’t accelerate over 20 miles. Problem turning on after turns off automatically. Seen so many people with this problem. This car needs to be investigated is not safe.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and both batteries in vehicle were replaced. On another occasion, the contact turned on the heater in the vehicle; however, there was no heat coming out of the vents. Th…
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The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and both batteries in vehicle were replaced. On another occasion, the contact turned on the heater in the vehicle; however, there was no heat coming out of the vents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 32,000.
The vehicle has 44k miles on it. Upon starting the car in my driveway today it would not start and was throwing an ECM error code along with "engine coolant temperature too hot". The vehicle fluids levels are perfect but it just will not start. I called the dealership and was advised they've seen lots of these issues but have no…
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The vehicle has 44k miles on it. Upon starting the car in my driveway today it would not start and was throwing an ECM error code along with "engine coolant temperature too hot". The vehicle fluids levels are perfect but it just will not start. I called the dealership and was advised they've seen lots of these issues but have no clue how to fix the problem. The car will automatically shut down if being driven and this occurs (we read other blogs on this issue) and it is truly a hazard.
Over the past month my car has had issues with my car not starting up and killing out my battery. Today I had was driving and my vehicle shut off at a stop light and wouldn’t turn back on. After getting the battery powered up I went to work and turned off my car and now it won’t start again. When trying to start my car it will t…
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Over the past month my car has had issues with my car not starting up and killing out my battery. Today I had was driving and my vehicle shut off at a stop light and wouldn’t turn back on. After getting the battery powered up I went to work and turned off my car and now it won’t start again. When trying to start my car it will tell me that my coolant temperature is high and then it will tell me the coolant temperature is to low and it will flash and tell me EBS system. The car has even stopped suddenly as I slowed down to make a right hand turn almost causing me to get into multiple accidents. The auto start/stop light is always on. I have already been through 2 batteries in this car so far and I am so frustrated as is my job over this issue.
Second time vehicle refuses to turn on. Purchased a "New" battery from the dealership and just a few months later the vehicle refused to turn on once again. According to the dealership the electrical wires were burnt out by the computer in my jeep. Tire pressure on my vehicle are always incorrect and I have purchased fo…
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Second time vehicle refuses to turn on. Purchased a "New" battery from the dealership and just a few months later the vehicle refused to turn on once again. According to the dealership the electrical wires were burnt out by the computer in my jeep. Tire pressure on my vehicle are always incorrect and I have purchased four sets of new tires trying to correct this error. First claim filed with Jeep case number: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
We were going about 30 no more than 40mph and the coolant gauge on the dashboard shot up to the H and went back down so quickly while this was happening the Jeep started jerking like it was gonna stop. Then it started driving normal again that was on a Friday July29,2022 I was on my way to work on a Wednesday August 3,2022 and …
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We were going about 30 no more than 40mph and the coolant gauge on the dashboard shot up to the H and went back down so quickly while this was happening the Jeep started jerking like it was gonna stop. Then it started driving normal again that was on a Friday July29,2022 I was on my way to work on a Wednesday August 3,2022 and I was going to work I had just exited the freeway go about 60-70mph I had to come to a smooth stop at a light when the light turned green the coolant gauge shot up again to the H and when I tired to press the gas pedal the vehicle was hesitant to move so I took my foot off the gas and press down again the Jeep jerked then I was able to move again. When it does shoot up to over heating it does it really fast you’re unable to catch a picture. When we open the sunroof I smell this kinda burnt smell almost like someone is burning plastic or something.
Electrical issues. Bought this vehicle late February 2022. Radio screen, which controls everything goes from dim to really bright, multiple times on its own. Been to the dealership many times for this problem, continuing to have this problem with no resolution in sight. Can not get dealership to call me back with a resolution at…
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Electrical issues. Bought this vehicle late February 2022. Radio screen, which controls everything goes from dim to really bright, multiple times on its own. Been to the dealership many times for this problem, continuing to have this problem with no resolution in sight. Can not get dealership to call me back with a resolution at this point. Vehicle is still under warrenty.
Engine shut itself off by itself at a stop light. The car flashed a “coolant temperature too high” message then immediately turned off. As i was driving I always check my dashboard. I was going 45mph reached the stop light and the engine/coolant temperature gauge was normal in between the cold and the high sign. But even then it…
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Engine shut itself off by itself at a stop light. The car flashed a “coolant temperature too high” message then immediately turned off. As i was driving I always check my dashboard. I was going 45mph reached the stop light and the engine/coolant temperature gauge was normal in between the cold and the high sign. But even then it flashed that “coolant temperature too high” message and shut itself off right when the red light changed to a green light. It was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside and inside the car without AC it was awful. I immediately turn on my four ways but cars still kept coming up behind me even though I could not move my car. The car would not turn on. I called 911 and my insurance for help moving my disabled vehicle. Even with my four ways on, drivers kept pulling up behind me even two semi gasoline trucks despite my four way lights being on. Two drivers almost rear ended me because they kept coming up behind me. I kept pressing my brakes praying cars would not hit me because the car would not come back on. I was sweating and trying not to pass out from the heat. I tried to turn my car back on multiple times and after 15 minutes it finally came back on. Out of fear, I did not continue driving the vehicle because I didn't want to keep driving knowing it would turn itself off at the next stop light. Help was on the way and the tow came to help with my disabled vehicle and the police arrived as well to help divert traffic. I was scared and almost got hit by a car, truck, and two semi gasoline trucks. This has happened multiple times every year. Happened on the driveway at my house, has happened on the freeway where I am going over 65mph and messes up with the braking system and with my steering, and most recent at a stop light driving home from work. Scariest day of my life. It is a safety hazard. Can cause accidents even death.
Official recalls
120V208000 · 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.
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.