1,060 of the
6,123 complaints filed about the Jeep Compass
are about the electrical system —
17% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
I have had this car for a little over a year and it has given me nothing but problems they won’t let me out of my contract. It’s a 2018 Jeep compass and I’ve already had to replace the thermostat. My service transmission light is coming on all of a sudden, I’m having to put the oil in all the time it has completely shut down on the highway. Just stopped moving turned off on is own! So dangerous and I
NHTSA complaint #11758044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Component: Engine / Electrical System / Power Train VIN [XXX] Description of Safety Defect: The vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of engine power and completely shut off while traveling at highway speeds. This total engine failure disabled the vehicle on an active highway, forcing an emergency maneuver to reach the shoulder. This incident occurred less than four months after an authorized manufacturer dealership charged over $3,400 to repair the engine's air-induction vacuum and fuel systems. The sudden stalling on a high-speed roadway directly endangered the driver and a [XXX] passenger who were left stranded on the highway shoulder in extreme weather conditions. The vehicle was completely inoperable and required an emergency flatbed tow from the highway back to the repair facility. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11757293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My odometer flashes since buying. Bluetooth connection causing screen to glitch and jump between settings. Screen turns blue and back up camera doesn’t work randomly. Overheating issue came out of nowhere. No check engine lights. The jerking is a hazard while driving. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by multiple shops. All these issues have been hazardous to me and my family.
NHTSA complaint #11756084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
automatic start-stop system causing actual engine stalls instead of a smooth restart is commonly triggered by failing auxiliary/main batteries, a dirty throttle body, or faulty charging sensors It has stalled on highway in stand still traffic. Issues with getting it to go. Have to turn off the car and restart. Has occurred 3 times - downtown of a major city in traffic, on a busy highway and at an exit of a highway. Due to its nature we are stand still as traffic is moving Problem has been confirmed by dealer and has occurred to other compass owners Not inspected by insurance There is an error that appears on the dash right before it stalls.
NHTSA complaint #11753185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving through a tunnel in Boston, MA, the vehicle shut off completely without warning and could not be restarted. The dashboard displayed multiple warning lights and the engine would not crank (clicking sound only). I was stranded inside an active tunnel in live traffic, requiring a Massachusetts State Police response and a tow. The dealer diagnosed a shorted starter, and during the same repair found the radiator leaking from its lower corner seam with no coolant remaining in the system (dealer repair order 316800, at 66,453 miles). An independent repair shop had documented dried coolant residue under the radiator three months earlier at 63,656 miles, indicating the leak had been developing. This vehicle also has a history of auxiliary battery failures affecting the stop/start system: the auxiliary battery failed at 22,517 miles and was replaced under warranty, and failed again at 58,094 miles. A sudden engine shutdown in a tunnel with no ability to restart is a serious safety hazard, and I am filing this complaint to document the failure. Repair invoices are available and can be uploaded.
NHTSA complaint #11751519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Stop/Start function malfunctions frequently. On multiple ocassions, the computer system glitches causing the automatic parking brake to engage, the gear shift to lock, and the vehicle to become stuck. This has happened several times while the car was idling at a stop light, causing traffic safety issues each time. There is no warning light or system notification. Regular mechanics are not able to diagnose or fix these issues because of the computer system, requiring a specialist that is not always accessible. There is no notification when the auxillary battery is dead or dying, the car just won't turn on.
NHTSA complaint #11751065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am writing to request immediate assistance with our Jeep, which has become a serious safety hazard for our family. We purchased the jeep less than 2 years ago and over the past three months it has repeatedly failed to start or has stalled unexpectedly, leaving us stranded on multiple occasions. Despite taking the vehicle to dealership and other service centers four times, no one has been able to diagnose or repair the issue. The vehicle often starts normally for technicians after being towed, only to fail again once we have it back. On our most recent visit to a dealership, we were charged $180 for diagnostics, yet the 3 of 5 XXX 3:01 PM XXX Claim Form [XXX]!!production\customer\customer_c... problem persists. When I called today for further help, we were turned away. This ongoing issue has created significant safety risks. The Jeep has stalled at traffic lights on multiple occasions, including one near-miss with a tractor-trailer. My husband works in a high-risk environment, and reliable transportation is essential for our family’s safety. As a registered nurse, I have already missed work due to these breakdowns and am at risk of jeopardizing my career. We have also been forced to miss important family events and cancel vacation plans. The financial burden has been devastating. We have spent a substantial amount of money on repeated towing, diagnostics, and repairs, leaving us struggling to cover basic household bills. For the safety of our children and our family, we urgently request that you repurchase or replace this vehicle under your responsibilities as a dealership. We can no longer accept the ongoing risk and unreliability. I kindly ask for a prompt response and a resolution within the next few business days. Please contact me at [XXX] or [XXX] to discuss next steps. Thank you for your immediate attention to this serious matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11751079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car stalls turns off by itself could be at red lights or even while driving twice already!! Needs to be recalled as well and repaired pls repairs cost thousands!!! Not safe!! I have owned it for 4-5 years and it has happened maybe 7-8 times but most recently this week twice!!
NHTSA complaint #11750726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle has stalled in traffic multiple times, it sends emergency messages while operating that the vehicle must pull off of the road or shut down, it is constantly displaying "service stop/ start system" messages and service lights, it sometimes doesn't start after having gotten to a location but will start up without having the vehicle jump started later, it drains the batteries quickly, as well. I was on the highway with my son in the vehicle, not near any exit and in thick traffic, when it told me to pull off the road or it may shut down. On a separate occasion, I had my family in the car, we stopped for an event and the vehicle randomly didn't restart, stranding us until we could reach another ride. Another time I was driving to work and it the engine shut off and when I tried to go it randomly did not go and I had to shut the vehicle down while in traffic, restart the engine and put it back into drive before I could allow traffic to move again. I took it to an authorized Jeep/ Chrysler Dealership for these issues and no recalls were put out for my vehicle, despite these exact issues being a part of a recall of nearly 13,000 Fiat Chrysler vehicles under NHTSA 18V524000 (Chrysler recall U87).
NHTSA complaint #11748167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2019 Jeep Compass with approximately 72,000 miles. For the past two years, I have experienced intermittent electrical and brake system failures that have become more frequent and severe despite multiple repair attempts. While driving, especially when turning, braking, or driving over potholes or uneven roads, the vehicle suddenly displays multiple warning lights, including ABS, traction control, brake, check engine, and service transmission warnings. At the same time, the digital speedometer changes to "--" and stops displaying vehicle speed. On one occasion, the analog speedometer also dropped unexpectedly. The most serious incident occurred after these warnings appeared while I was driving. I pulled over, shifted into Park, and attempted to turn the vehicle off, but it would not shut down for approximately 30 seconds. During that time, the brake warning light flashed continuously, indicating a possible electrical or communication failure. After restarting, some warnings cleared, but the check engine light remained on. Although the brake pedal still felt normal, I temporarily lost multiple electronic safety systems, including ABS, traction control, and the vehicle speed display. These failures occurred on a public roadway without warning, creating a significant safety risk and reducing my confidence that the vehicle will respond properly during an emergency. A diagnostic scan retrieved multiple communication-related fault codes, including U0002-00 (CAN Bus Off), U0121-00 (Lost Communication with ABS Module), U0129-00 (Lost Communication with Brake System Control Module), U1110 (Lost Vehicle Speed Message), U1120 (Lost Wheel Distance Message), U1141 (Lost Brake and Torque Message), and U12A8 (Lost Communication with Master Cylinder Pressure Sensor). The problem is intermittent, often clears after restarting, and is difficult to diagnose. Because it affects critical safety systems while the vehicle is in motion, I believe this represents a serious safety
NHTSA complaint #11748014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dash warning came up “stop safely, vehicle will shut off soon” towed it to Jeep dealer took them over a week to get a diagnosis, they said they had to communicate with Detroit office. The issue is “probably” an alternator
NHTSA complaint #11746886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The auto start/stop feature will fail at random when I come to a stop. My vehicle will shut off and the parking brake will turn on, leading to delays in traffic and unsafe traffic situations. I have had my battery replaced, so this has occured with new batteries and nothing wrong with my car.
NHTSA complaint #11746549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am filing a formal safety defect report regarding a severe, non-functional Advanced Passenger/Pedestrian Emergency Braking (PEB) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system that has been completely inoperable ("INOP") since delivery of this brand-new vehicle.The vehicle has been subjected to four (4) independent, consecutive service repair attempts at authorized franchise dealerships with a complete failure to resolve the active safety hazard.Critical Evidence of Manufacturer Negligence: Corporate Techline Admission: On 12/2/24 (3,327 miles), factory technicians performed module updates but noted on the official invoice: "Issue persist. Contact Techline was told update coming." Corporate engineering knowingly discharged a defective vehicle back into public operation without a functioning collision avoidance system.Star Engineering Admission: On 5/15/26 (34,461 miles), following extensive factory hardware resets via the wiTECH diagnostic network and manual sensor/camera recalibrations, the safety defect persisted. Stellantis Corporate Engineering (Star Agent) explicitly ordered the dealership techs to return the malfunctioning vehicle to the consumer because it lacked an active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC), stating the safety hazard was merely "currently under investigation."Current Grounded Status: On 6/8/26 (approx 36,000 miles), Certified technicians determined an instrument cluster needed ordered and legally "grounded" the vehicle on the dealer lot due to federal odometer rules. The vehicle is currently sidelined awaiting a backordered instrument panel cluster (IPC). Public Safety Impact: Stellantis is willfully ignoring a widespread component or software defect in its integrated digital instrument cluster and forward-facing camera arrays. By ordering dealerships to return vehicles with dead pedestrian emergency braking systems to consumers due to a lack of DTC’s, they are creating an immediate, severe hazard to occupants and pedestrians on public roads
NHTSA complaint #11746571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle advanced warning stystems are all failing. After multiple repair attempts this continues. Previously it resulted in failure where vehicle would not move due to advanced brake assist.
NHTSA complaint #11746537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rearview backup camera on my 2019 Jeep Compass Latitude has completely failed to function, creating a severe blind-spot safety hazard during reverse maneuvers. Screen goes black, or flickers on and off, or has lines and hotspots. It is not usable at all. This failure directly compromises the safety mandates established under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111.
NHTSA complaint #11743339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle caught on fire while sitting in a parking lot. This vehicle had just over 13,000 miles, serviced by jeep dealer, and health reports did not surface any problems. The fire impacted other vehicles around it.
NHTSA complaint #11743004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The reason for the recall on this make and model is what I'm experiencing now. The whole car will shutdown power while driving with no warnings. In traffic the car will just roll to a stop with cars closely behind me. I bought the call September 2016 yet I just saw a recall when I signed up for triple a. The last 12 months I have been on n and out of shops trying to find the reason. Starter was fixed. Battery replaced. Cables replaced. Throttle body replaced yet the car still shutdown in traffic. I don't want to cause an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11742017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.