8.6

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,234 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Jeep Compass engine problems

engine problem

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2020 Jeep Compass Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #31

Feb 192023

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electronic Malfunctions The Jeep completely turn off. Energy lights did not turned on both batteries died. Unable to move the car to -€œN-€ to move it out of the freeway. CHP used flares to detour the traffic. Could have been a feral accident due to the electrical turning completely off on the freeway

- El Sobrante , CA, USA

problem #30

Mar 052023

Compass

  • miles
On 4 occasions, months apart, my 2020 Jeep Compass has given me a dashboard alert stating -€œcoolant temperature too high-€ and the engine immediately stalls and shuts down. The first 3 times this occurred, the check engine light would come on and the vehicle would not restart and other alerts such as -€œservice 4WD system-€ and -€œEBS not available-€ would display. At no time was the vehicle overheating or the actual coolant temperature above normal operating temperature. After sitting in the middle of an intersection for 5-10 minutes, the vehicle would finally turn on with the check engine light being off and no alerts displayed. The vehicle would then drive like nothing ever happened for a few months. The most recent time this unexpected shutdown occurred, as I slowed to approach a left hand turn the vehicle gave the coolant temperature error and shut down, losing power steering and making the break pedal incredibly hard to depress. I came to a stop in the turn lane and put it in park, only this time the vehicle could not be restarted at all and it had to be towed home and then the next day towed to the dealer for service. The vehicle is still in the dealers possession for servicing. This issue needs to be investigated and reconciled. If this were to happen on the freeway numerous lives would be at risk.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #29

Jan 192023

Compass

  • 63,774 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while approaching a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,774.

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #28

Jan 082023

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car showed false high coolant message. And the engine shut off and would not start again

- Deerfield Beach , FL, USA

problem #27

Nov 012022

Compass

  • miles
Engine stalling, false overheating reading, battery failing. Radio screen getting stuck with review camera, radio not shutting off after vehicle shuts off, car in park but is not recognized by the system, TIMP issues stop and start function not working properly, losing oil, ESC needs attention. A whole lot of headache. Car has been broke down for a month with 27000 miles and making payment unable to drive.

- Okmulgee, OK, USA

problem #26

Dec 182022

Compass

  • miles
Stopped 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.

- Byron Center, MI, USA

problem #25

Dec 012022

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Rochester, Mi, MI, USA

problem #24

Oct 302022

Compass

  • miles
The engine on my 2020 Jeep Compass will turn off unexpectedly and without warning after the vehicle has come to a stop. Sometimes, the engine will restart easily with the push start button after the transmission selector has been moved to "Park". Other times the vehicle cannot be restarted for several minutes and random messages appear on the dashboard display. These messages include but are not limited to, "coolant temperature high", "service airbag system" and other assorted nonsensical messages. This issue appears to be related to the Stop/Start feature on my vehicle. This phenomenon is dangerous and unsettling since it leaves my vehicle stranded in precarious situations for undetermined periods of time. The dealer has not been able to reproduce this exact issue. The vehicle and related components have only been inspected by the dealer. This issue has been happening for nearly 45 days. Up to this point there have been no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the engine shutting off by itself.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #23

Nov 282022

Compass

  • miles
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.

- Fort Myers , FL, USA

problem #22

Sep 282022

Compass

  • miles
Just bought vehicle at 33k miles, 1 owner. Records show they changed oil and maintained vehicle ever 3500-4000k miles. Test drove a certified vehicle from big chain dealer, 4days later decide to purchase. Driving home car didn't feel right. Felt jumping" While driving like bubbly" Anyway got home. Lift hood. I hear engine knocking, I hear hissing under hood on top, also and clank clank nosies underneath by cat converter. A certified vehicle a 125 point inspection by a major dealership. I feel I been scammed. There's no way this should have passed inspection at all.

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #21

Aug 102022

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I did an oil change mid august and found bits of metal in the oil at 50,000 miles, Ive change the oil every 5000 miles. I haven't been rough with it and also every time I get on the highway or rev my engine up to 4000 rpm the transmission slips hard on the 4th gear usually. If I have it on FWD it slips as well. The Blind spot warning goes off randomly sometimes as well.

- Hubert, NC, USA

problem #20

Sep 172022

Compass

  • miles
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.

- Buckeye, AZ, USA

problem #19

Aug 012022

Compass

  • miles
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.

- Jbsa, TX, USA

problem #18

Aug 122022

Compass 4-cyl

  • miles
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).

- Mission, TX, USA

problem #17

Jul 292022

Compass

  • miles
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.

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #16

Aug 022022

Compass

  • miles
Burning or loosing coolant, no leaks or busted hoses.

- Galena, IL, USA

problem #15

Jul 042022

Compass

  • miles
Engine shut itself off by itself at a stop light. The car flashed a -€œcoolant 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 -€œcoolant 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.

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

problem #14

Feb 062022

Compass

  • miles
I purchased this vehicle a year ago. About 2 months ago I started having problems getting the vehicle to start. AAA & Geico have come several times to jump me. The vehicle also states High coolant temperature sometimes when it does this. At one point it would not go over 35 mph. I took it to the jeep dealer to be told start by replacing both batteries for $600 and then we can go from there! She also stated it was probably electrical. I don't have $600 to spare, especially on a vehicle that's a 2020. Took it to Auto Zone they tested both batteries & said they both tested fine. I ended up purchasing a jump box as this happens at least 3 times/week. Well as of today, now that wont even work.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #13

Nov 052021

Compass

  • miles
An issue with my 2020 Jeep Compass has been reoccurring, regardless of the engine temperature whether at operating temperature or cold, the vehicle will flash a message of "Coolant Temperature too High", the vehicle will shut itself down and the operator will need to press the brake, press the start/stop button to fully turn the vehicle off, press the brake again and press the start/stop button again to restart the vehicle. After restarting, the vehicle will run normally until the error message flashes again. this issue will occur when pulling out of the drive way after the vehicle has been sitting over night and when it is stopped at a stop light. When driving at highway speeds the vehicle will flash the same "Coolant Temperature Too High" message, act as if it wants to shut itself off for a split second, steering and braking is effected when this happens, and after a split second the vehicle returns to normal operation. The vehicle has been into a Jeep dealership multiple times, on one occasion the auxiliary battery was replaced and that seemed to have solved the issue for a few months but the same coolant temperature message and associated issues returned. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership again and no issues were found. After the most recent trip to the dealership the vehicle drove and operated normally for four days until the next day, the same message and issues listed above happened twice in one morning. I have filed a complaint with Fiat Chrysler, the dealerships have no solution to this issue which in my opinion is a safety hazard, due to the fact the vehicle wants to turn off while traveling at highway speeds.

- Brighton, CO, USA

problem #12

Jul 082021

Compass

  • miles
19000 miles and consumes 1 quart of oil a month. This has been doing this since bought new. Told dealer on two services and dealer (Smith Haven Jeep, St. James, NY) said this is normal. I know this is not normal for a new car. I drive about 400 miles a month unless going on vacation.

- Oyster Bay, NY, USA

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