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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 →

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

What owners actually said

139 reports
5,000 miles · Nov 3, 2020
Engine

WHEN AC IS LEFT IN THE ON POSITION AND THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON THERE IS AN AUDIBLE SQUEAK NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE, THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE STOP START SYSTEM ENGAGES AT STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. THIS SQUEAK SOUNDS MUCH LIKE A BELT SLIPPING OR A PULLEY TENSIONER NEEDING TO BE LUBERCATED. THIS IS…

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WHEN AC IS LEFT IN THE ON POSITION AND THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON THERE IS AN AUDIBLE SQUEAK NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE, THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE STOP START SYSTEM ENGAGES AT STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. THIS SQUEAK SOUNDS MUCH LIKE A BELT SLIPPING OR A PULLEY TENSIONER NEEDING TO BE LUBERCATED. THIS ISSUE OCCURS CONSISTENTLY REGARDLESS OF AMBIENT TEMPS OR CAR TEMPS. THIS SQUEAK ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE AC IS RUNNING AND YOU ACCELERATE QUICKLY FROM A DEAD STOP, AT AROUND 3,000 RPMS YOU CAN HEAR THE SQUEAK.

NHTSA ODI #11372823

10,200 miles · Sep 20, 2020
Engine

MY 2020 COMPASS STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AND FREEWAY AND WHILE TURNING. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 6 OR 7 TIMES AND ONE TIME A GUY SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES AND SWERVED AROUND ME SO HE DIDN'T HIT ME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES AND ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 25 DAYS AND I PROVIDED VIDEO PROOF OF THE ISSUE AND THE DEALER SAID…

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MY 2020 COMPASS STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AND FREEWAY AND WHILE TURNING. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 6 OR 7 TIMES AND ONE TIME A GUY SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES AND SWERVED AROUND ME SO HE DIDN'T HIT ME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES AND ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 25 DAYS AND I PROVIDED VIDEO PROOF OF THE ISSUE AND THE DEALER SAID IF THEY DON'T SEE IT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING. THE CAR KEEPS GETTING DIFFERENT CHECK ENGINE CODES AND THEY JUST CLEAR THEM. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AND ISSUE THE DEALER WON'T VERIFY DRIVING THE CAR TWO MILES. THERE IS CLEARLY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11360035

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I BOUGHT MY JEEP COMPASS IN FEBRUARY. LAST MONTH WHEN COMING HOME MY SERVICE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND SERVICE AUTO SHUT OFF SYSTEM LIGHT BOTH CAME ON. WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS LIKE THAT'S ODD AND CALLED THE DEALER. THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IF I BROUGHT IT TO THEM. I GOT READY FOR WORK, WENT TO LEAVE AND MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. TH…

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I BOUGHT MY JEEP COMPASS IN FEBRUARY. LAST MONTH WHEN COMING HOME MY SERVICE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND SERVICE AUTO SHUT OFF SYSTEM LIGHT BOTH CAME ON. WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS LIKE THAT'S ODD AND CALLED THE DEALER. THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IF I BROUGHT IT TO THEM. I GOT READY FOR WORK, WENT TO LEAVE AND MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS STUCK ON. I WAS FURIOUS AND CALLED THE DEALER AND SAID THEY NEEDED TO HAVE IT TOWED AND THEY REFUSED. MY MOM ENDING UP TAKING ME TO WORK, THEN THE NEXT DAY THE LIGHTS MYSTERIOUSLY WENT OFF. NOW YESTERDAY BOTH LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I PLAN ON TAKING IT TO A DEALER ON THURSDAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT & HOPEFULLY FIXED. I JUST HAVE READ A COUPLE COMPLAINTS SAYING THEY HAVE BEEN STUCK AT RED LIGHTS AND NEARLY HIT DUE TO SIMILAR ISSUES SO I MIGHT BE TRADING THIS VEHICLE IN.

NHTSA ODI #11353670

1,072 miles · Sep 2, 2020
Engine

I PURCHASED MY CAR ON JULY 22ND 2020. THE VERY FIRST DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THAT THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS STOPPING. I THOUGHT PERHAPS THAT IT WAS THE AUTO OFF THAT TRIGGERED A LITTLE TOO EARLY. SINCE THEN IT HAPPENED TWICE AND MOST RECENTLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THE ONLY…

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I PURCHASED MY CAR ON JULY 22ND 2020. THE VERY FIRST DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THAT THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS STOPPING. I THOUGHT PERHAPS THAT IT WAS THE AUTO OFF THAT TRIGGERED A LITTLE TOO EARLY. SINCE THEN IT HAPPENED TWICE AND MOST RECENTLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR GOING WEST FOR ME TOO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND START THE CAR AGAIN. ALSO, A GOOGLE SEARCH OF THE TIGER SHARK ENGINE ISSUES POINTS OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS AFFECTING SO MANY VEHICLES. THERE'S ALSO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ABOUT THIS..

NHTSA ODI #11352760

1,742 miles · Aug 24, 2020
EngineService Brakes

I HAVE HAD MY 2020 JEEP COMPASS 4.5 MONTHS AND IT HAS STALLED TWICE. BOTH TIMES AS I WAS APPROACHING A LIGHT TO STOP. MY LIFE HAS BEEN ENDANGERED BOTH TIMES AS I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED NOR DO THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME. I ONLY REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING WHEN I ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE. BOTH TIMES I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND.…

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I HAVE HAD MY 2020 JEEP COMPASS 4.5 MONTHS AND IT HAS STALLED TWICE. BOTH TIMES AS I WAS APPROACHING A LIGHT TO STOP. MY LIFE HAS BEEN ENDANGERED BOTH TIMES AS I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED NOR DO THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME. I ONLY REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING WHEN I ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE. BOTH TIMES I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND. THE FIRST TIME AT APPROX AT 1624 MILES AND THE SECOND TIME AT APPROX 1742 MILES. THERE IS NO WARNING OR DIRECTION FROM THE VEHICLE, BUT WHILE PANICKING IN TRAFFIC I SEE THAT MY EMERGENCY BAKE IS ON!!!!! SUDDENLY AND FOR NO REASON!! I HAVE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE FIRST MONTH WITH THE AUTO STOP-START. THIS FUNCTION HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND SHUTS DOWN ALL.THE.TIME. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS MY FAULT FOR NOT DRIVING MY VEHICLE ENOUGH. NOT DRIVING MY VEHICLE ENOUGH DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC. I'M TO BLAME. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11350896

700 miles · Aug 10, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES I HAD SLOWED TO A STOP AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS TO REACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE INFOTAINMENT SCREENS REMAINED ON AND THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFT KNOB STARTED TO BLINK. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT ALL WHILE SITTING AT A…

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VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON TWO OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES I HAD SLOWED TO A STOP AND WHEN I HIT THE GAS TO REACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE INFOTAINMENT SCREENS REMAINED ON AND THE LIGHTS ON THE SHIFT KNOB STARTED TO BLINK. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT ALL WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION. IT WAS NOT A QUICK PROCESS. THE CAR HAS AN IDLE FEATURE TO SAVE ON GAS HOWEVER THIS WAS NOT THE FEATURE IN ACTION THE CAR WAS OFF COMPLETELY.

NHTSA ODI #11348490

2,600 miles · Jul 12, 2020
Engine

TWICE NOW, THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED AT A RED LIGHT. THIS VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC ENGINE SHUT OFF WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE IS SUPPOSED TO COME BACK ON. WHEN I WAS AT THE RED LIGHT, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND I NEEDED TO PUT THE CAR…

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TWICE NOW, THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED AT A RED LIGHT. THIS VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC ENGINE SHUT OFF WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE, BUT WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE IS SUPPOSED TO COME BACK ON. WHEN I WAS AT THE RED LIGHT, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND I NEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS MAKING A U TURN A FEW WEEKS LATER. AS I WAS TURNING THE CAR, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND I LUCKILY ROLLED TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON.

NHTSA ODI #11338949

150 miles · Jun 29, 2020
Engine

PURCHASED A 2020 COMPASS ON MAY 28TH, 2020 WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK IT SHUT DOWN OR STALLED COMPLETELY AT A STOP STREET, HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND HIT THE RESTART BUTTON. I WAS NOT SURE IF THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AUTO STOP/START SO I SWITCHED THIS FUNCTION OFF AND IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS IT DIED 2 MORE TIMES ONCE WHEN…

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PURCHASED A 2020 COMPASS ON MAY 28TH, 2020 WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK IT SHUT DOWN OR STALLED COMPLETELY AT A STOP STREET, HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND HIT THE RESTART BUTTON. I WAS NOT SURE IF THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AUTO STOP/START SO I SWITCHED THIS FUNCTION OFF AND IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS IT DIED 2 MORE TIMES ONCE WHEN DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THE NEXT TIME WHEN I WAS STARTING OFF AT A STREET LIGHT, THIS IS NOT NORMAL SO ON JUNE 26TH I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FILLED A CLAIM WITH JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PHONED AND SAID THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUEL. IN THE INTERIM I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE FROM 2018-2020 COMPASS AND CHEROKEE LATITUDE OWNERS, ALL COMPLAINING ABOUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION, STALLING, DANGERS OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT ETC. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD 37 MILES I RETURNED IT IN LESS THAN 1 MONTH AND IT ONLY HAD 240 MILES AS WE HARDLY DROVE IT DUE TO LOCKDOWN AND WORKING FROM HOME. IF CHRYSLER/JEEP DOES NOT ACCEPT THE CAR BACK AND REFUND MY DEPOSIT I WILL HAVE A LEMON LAW LAWYER GET INVOLVED. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN DRIVING THE CAR AND GET ANXIETY ATTACKS JUST THINKING ABOUT DRIVING THIS SUV AGAIN, I CANNOT HAVE IT STALL WHILE IN MOTION DUE TO THE DANGER IT POSES TO MY SAFETY AND OTHER DRIVERS SAFETY. PLEASE REVIEW THIS WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. WE WERE ALWAYS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS WHEN THESE HAPPENED BUT IT STALLED AND WE HAD TO RESTART IT EACH TIME EVEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO TRIED TO FIGURE IT OUT SAID IT STALLED WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT, THIS COMPASS IS FLAWED AND DANGEROUS IT SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY SINCE CHRYSLER/JEEP KNEW OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPASS SINCE 2018, THEY ARE PUTTING PROFITS OVER SAFETY AND ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN AND LIVES WILL BE LOST DUE TO THE STALLING ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11331626

600 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Forward Collision Avoidance

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FAILED FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED WAS NOT REDUCED NEITHER WAS THERE A WARNING OF STOPPED VEHICLES AHEAD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE FORWARD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FAILED FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED WAS NOT REDUCED NEITHER WAS THERE A WARNING OF STOPPED VEHICLES AHEAD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROWN'S JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM LOCATED AT (483 NY-112, PATCHOGUE, NY 11772) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FRONT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.

NHTSA ODI #11319222

Official recalls

1

20V208000 · 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

1

PE22013 · 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.