2014 Jeep Compass Powertrain (other) Problems

am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2014 Jeep Compass. While driving, the vehicle feels as though the passenger-side front wheel is going to snap off at any moment. The sensation and noise appear to come from the wheel or axle area, and the instability is strong enough that the vehicle does not feel safe to operate. I have taken the vehicle to multiple mechanics for inspections and test drives. Despite these efforts, no one has been able to locate the source of the problem or identify any faulty components. Although the mechanics report finding nothing wrong, the issue remains and makes the vehicle extremely concerning to drive on public roads. Because the problem affects steering stability and overall safety, I believe this may be a potential defect. I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this issue, determine whether other drivers have reported similar complaints, and consider whether an investigation or recall may be necessary. I can provide additional information, videos, photographs, or repair documentation if needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ID

11703474

Incident

Dec 5, 2025

Thermostat keeps going to hot or stops working and drops to cold. Replaced thermostat coolant sensor since that’s what the code popped up. Didn’t work it continues to out. Radiator cap is collecting engine oil and not coolant. Engine oil is getting into my radiator hose. I had just got my radiator and stuff replaced by the dealership. I only had it for 6 months and been putting a lot of money in it and I’m still having engine and thermostat and radiator problems. Also it keeps smoking when it already has coolant in it.

NHTSA ID

11624847

Incident

Oct 21, 2024

Sudden loss of oil pressure, loud ticking at bottom pulley. Oil in the engine, oil pressure sensor on dashboard.

NHTSA ID

11526604

Incident

Jun 12, 2023

While driving, car completely shuts off. All lights and signals will blink for a quick second, then shuts off. Keyhole will not turn to turn car on, no clicking sound that car is attempting to turn on, unable to turn on emergency lights, can't move to neutral or turn steering wheel, everything locks. Happened twice in the middle of the street. After a few mins (20 mins or more) car turns on again for a few mins before turning off again. Full gas, battery and transmission checked and still working. Vehicle was up to date with oil changes and recalls.

NHTSA ID

11469442

Incident

May 27, 2022

I took my car to be inspected for yearly registration. I was told by the repair shop that I have parts of the subframe and suspension that are excessively rusted, to the point where they are a safety concern and have to be replaced. Other model years of the first generation Jeep Compass have been issued extended warranties on those parts, and I believe it should be extended to the entire first generation of the Jeep Compass.

NHTSA ID

11460395

Incident

Apr 8, 2022

The vehicle will jerk and lose power when accelerating

NHTSA ID

11421429

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO SHUDDER BACK AND FORTH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING WIRES INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY STARTED SEEING SMOKE COMING THRU THE VENT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXIT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED A PERSON CAME WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO TRY TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID ARRIVE TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED BUT LEFT AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID CALL LOCAL DEALER ENNIS FORD, INC. (900 I-45, ENNIS, TX 75119 PHONE: (877) 890-8768) WHO INFORM THE CONTACT TO REACH OUT TO THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ID

11404980

Incident

Mar 17, 2021

Mileage

58,000 mi

REPEATEDLY RECEIVING ERROR CODE U0401

NHTSA ID

11402974

Incident

Mar 15, 2021

Mileage

132,000 mi

HAD GOT VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP TRANSMISSION FAILED 1 MONTH AFTER THEY REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT NO COST NOW AFTER 14000 MILES TRANSMISSION MAKING NOISES AGAIN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 14000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11364266

Incident

Sep 23, 2020

Mileage

68,906 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT WAS NOT GETTING ANY SPEED WITH THE PEDAL FLOORED. THE CAR STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES FROM ENGINE AND THE ETC LIGHT CAME ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHICH IS THE MIL LIGHT, ALSO THE ESC LIGHT,I WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST GOT HIT BECAUSE OF IT DRIVING FINE SPEED LIMIT AND THEN DOWN TO LESS THAN 5 MPH ON A VERY BUSY STREET AND INTERSECTION. THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE AS I HAD IT IN THE SHOP A MONTH AGO FOR ANOTHER MALFUNCTION. I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND SUDDENLY IT JUST LOST ALL COMPRESSION TO LESS THAN 5 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY PULL OVER TO AN AREA THAT HAD NO SHOULDER SO I WAS HALF IN THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. READ THE MANUAL AND SAID TO CYCLE THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES TO SEE IF BETTER. IR WASN'T BETTER,AND NOW TRYING TO GO INTO REVERSE, PEDAL TO THE GROUND IT CREEPS 1 TO 2 MPH.

NHTSA ID

11343355

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

96,000 mi

I HAVE A 2014 JEEP COMPASS SPORT 2.0. I PURCHASES IT IN 2016 USED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AMONG HEAVY TRAFFIC AND MY VEHICLE JUST STOP IMMEDIATELY. THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. NOW, THE SHOP IS SAYING I NEED A CVT TRANSMISSION BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAT 6 YEARS AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY ON THE INTERSTATE. PLEASE HELP!!! MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE. I COULD HAVE GOTTEN HIT OR HAD AN ACCIDENT FROM IT STOPPING LIKE IT DID.

NHTSA ID

11316155

Incident

Mar 3, 2020

Mileage

220,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID

11311432

Incident

Feb 16, 2020

I WAS DRIVING GOING ABOUT 45 WHEN MY JEEP OUT OF NOWHERE STOPPED AND WOULDN'T GO FAST THEN 20MPH. SO THEN I GOT A CODE READER AND IT SAID IT WAS THE POWERTRAIN. WHICH MAKES THEN ENGINE NOT WANT TO GO.

NHTSA ID

11296659

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

78,586 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. RIVER FRONT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (200 HANSEN BLVD, NORTH AURORA, IL 60542, (630) 907-1700) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ID

11265864

Incident

Oct 2, 2019

Mileage

69,000 mi

2014 JEEP COMPASS SPORT WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT IN 2017, UNDER WARRANTY BY THE DEALER DUE TO MAKING A LOT OF NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. AS OF 8/24/19, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. VEHICLE NOW HAS 122,896 MILES ON IT. JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE STATES THAT EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT IN 2017, THAT THIS DID NOT EXTEND WARRANTY AND I MAY HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR UNLESS JEEP DECIDES TO GIVE GOOD WILL SERVICE. I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES SINCE I WAS 14 YEARS OLD, NOW 71, AND HAVE NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION FAIL, CLUTCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON VEHICLES IN THE PAST AT AROUND 150,000 MILES, BUT NEVER A TRANSMISSION. APPARENTLY JEEP HAS A PROBLEM WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS?? DON'T THINK THREE TRANSMISSION IN 122, 896 MILES IS ANYWHERE NORMAL.

NHTSA ID

11253631

Incident

Aug 24, 2019

Mileage

122,896 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 JEEP COMPASS. WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED AND TURNED OFF ONCE THE TURN SIGNALS WERE DEACTIVATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER THE ENGINE TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING AND ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11229665

Incident

May 15, 2019

Mileage

82,000 mi

RIGHT NOW IT DOESN'T RUN BECAUSE THE BRAIN WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING BACK TO WORK FROM LUNCH. THERE'S NO RESPONSE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE OTHER DAY IT COMPLETELY STOPPED DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING 65 ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. TO TOP MY MATTERS OFF WITH THIS VEHICLE IT'S HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALLED AND REPLACED AND MANY OTHER PARTS IT'S A TERRIBLE VEHICLE. TO TOP MY STRESS WITH IT MY SEATBELT DOESN'T LOCK WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TO SO IF I WRECK LOOKS LIKE I'M GOING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HONESTLY WISH I COULD AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE MINE I FEEL IS GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF ME. I HAVE A VIDEO OF WHAT IT WAS DOING BEFORE IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN CAN'T UPLOAD ANY PICTURES BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T DO JUSTICE.

NHTSA ID

11208879

Incident

May 19, 2019

Mileage

123,530 mi

KEEPS JERKING AND LOSING POWER WHILE ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAYS/BUSY ROADS/HILLS.

NHTSA ID

11195916

Incident

Apr 10, 2019

WHEN GOING OVER 30MPH OR UPHILL MY TRANSMISSION STARTS SPUTTERING. I CANNOT ACCELERATE. FREQUENTLY HAPPENS WHEN ON HIGHWAYS. THERE IS A SUDDEN SHIFT ALMOST LIKE IM SWITCHING GEARS. RPM SHOOTS UP BUT CAR WILL NOT GAIN SPEED. HEADLIGHTS WILL GET VERY DIM, INSIDE LIGHTS WILL FLICKER. WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE ITS LIKE IT ALMOST DOESNT WANT TO START. FRONT WINDOW MOTORS WORK WHEN THEY PLEASE

NHTSA ID

11180322

Incident

Jan 24, 2019

Mileage

110,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOING 40 WITH 2 OF MY CHILDREN WHEN I LOST ALL POWER CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER. I ENDED UP ON SOMEONES LAWN AND PULLED UP ON MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP MY CAR, ONLY WAY. I ENDED UP BEING TOWED HOME. CAR STARTED NEXT DAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WAS THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR WHICH THEY STATED WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. JUST THIS WEEK I TOOK TO GET ITS FIRST INSPECTION SINCE PURCHASING AND IT FAILED FOR EMISSIONS. I WAS TOLD BY INSPECTOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAD BEEN FAILING FOR FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE AND TO CONTACT DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THIS IS THE FIRST THEY'RE HEARING OF THIS ISSUE AND I WASN'T ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND SAID THAT THERE MAY BE A CHARGE FOR ME TO FIX???? I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR HUB BEARINGS. I CALLED THE JEEP MANUFACTURER WHO WAS ABSOLUTELY USELESS AS WELL AND SAID CERTAIN THINGS ARE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THIS MAY BE ONE THAT ISN'T. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS THAT I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD CAR THAT FAILED ITS FIRST INSPECTION. I HAVE A CLAIM WITH THEM.

NHTSA ID

11154464

Incident

Nov 27, 2018

Mileage

76,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 JEEP COMPASS. AN ATTORNEY CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE CONTACT. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND EXITED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND STRUCK THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO THE RIGHT ANKLE, RIBS, AND RIGHT WRIST AS WELL AS ABRASIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF UPDATED 10/11/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11130570

Incident

Nov 10, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE; HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF TRAVELING BACKWARDS, THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TT CONTACT STATES THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURENCE. *TT

NHTSA ID

11112341

Incident

Jul 13, 2018

Mileage

46,000 mi

CODE U0401. ECM/PCM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ESC LIGHT, AND ECM LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, JEEP LOST ACCELERATION, AND KNOCKED WHEN WE CAME TO A STOP. INCIDENT HASTENED ON A LOCAL ROAD WHILE MOVING AT 45 MPH. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED. PROBLEM PERSISTED AND WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME.

NHTSA ID

11085118

Incident

Apr 14, 2018

Mileage

70,100 mi

MY OIL PRESSURE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT TURNING OFF AND ON. I CONTACTED THE JEEP DEALERSHIP IN REGARDS TO THE ISSUE, AND THEY ADVISED ME IT WAS NOT DANGEROUS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED SO I ATTEMPTED TO TRANSPORT MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, AND AS I WAS TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A LOUD "POP!" FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PULL SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM THREE LANES OVER. THE DASH BOARD PROCEEDED TO LIGHT UP AND A STRANGE SMELL BEGAN TO COME THROUGH THE VEHICLE. MY ASSOCIATE AND I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WE QUICKLY GRABBED OUR BELONGS AND MOVED A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN 15 MINUTES AND REMAINED ON FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH IT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND JEEP HAS DENIED ASSOCIATION WITH THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11034210

Incident

Sep 9, 2017

Mileage

42,000 mi

DANGEROUS, ENGINE STALLING AND COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUT DOWN,WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, DRIVING STRAIGHT, TURNING, OR JUST SITTING THERE. THE ABS LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. I SIT FOR A MINUTE, THEN I CAN RESTART AND THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE. EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE STALLING WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THERE ARE NO CODES INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND WHAT THIS ISSUE IS. THERE WAS A RECALL IN DEC. 2013 FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER, CHRYSLER CORP SAYS THAT MY VIN DOES NOT FIT INTO VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. IT SHOULD BE IF MY 2014 JEEP COMPASS IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC BOTH ON THE FREEWAY AND IN THE STREETS. AND WITH THE AIRBAG MODULE NOT REPLACED YET BY A DIFFERENT RECALL, IT MAKES IT MORE DANGEROUS IF THE VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC, THEN A CAR HITS US AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYS.

NHTSA ID

10981259

Incident

Apr 1, 2017