2016 Jeep Compass Driver assistance Problems

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 ID

11742017

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Relay box underneath drivers side headlight prone to corrosion, causes jeeps from this era to stall and die randomly.

NHTSA ID

11737453

Incident

Apr 8, 2026

Electrical components failed car shut down while driving and put me and my daughters at risk I had to have a part with the lightning bolt that come on the dash replaced but that's all the inspection there was no warning only flashing engine light and it shut down it first happened June 2025 and has happened 3 times since. Also the cruise control when set will accelerate on its own and I have to hit the button multiple times and the brake to get it to stop and shut off.

NHTSA ID

11730257

Incident

Feb 10, 2026

While driving at any time, the speedometer will instantly drop and the car feels like it's about to shut itself off. After a diagnostic with a mechanic, they stated this was the crankshaft issue; similar to a recall for other 2016 jeep compass. My vin is not currently associated with this recall notice, however based on these safety defects, it seems it should be considered under the recall

NHTSA ID

11726821

Incident

Mar 17, 2026

I have had problems with Jeep suddenly losing all power while driving with NO WARNING! Everytime ive had it checked they could not find anything wrong with it. Just recently it happened again and since then when I drive it doesn't seem to want to accelerate. There are no noises,instrument lights on any codes showing up. I had to wait a month for my appointment at the dealership and then another month for them to even tell me what was wrong. They said i need a new transmission which is ridiculous since my car only has 89,956 miles and a majority of those miles are from military moves. The only thing they did was run a diagnostic test (nothing showed up) and said they had 2 people test drive it ( but my mileage was the same going in and going out) They told me it would cost 7500 before taxes for the transmission. They could not give me a clear answer when I asked what exactly is wrong with the transmission. I was told that its something internal but they couldn't tell me exactly the problem because that would require them to take it apart. I asked if I should get a transmission flush to make sure it wasn't that since I just learned that cvt should be flushed earlier than usual and he told me probably not. I decide to take my car home and will never use them again. I went two months without a car and was unable to work because they did not offer me any time of vehicle while I had to wait. Im concerned because Mopar discontinued the transaxle package with torque converter, part number 68000676AH that is for my vehicle because it is known to be defective. I bought this car brand new and thought it was clear of any defects or safety issues. A new transmission for a car that is less than 10 years old is ridiculous and seems like a lemon. Since Jeep knows this Jatco transmission is defective and also discontinued it with a different part then why arent they offering a goodwill repair or at least a warranty adjustment. I will now have to quit my job or buy a new car.

NHTSA ID

11684146

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Electronic throttle control Vehicle light came on my 2016 jeep compass dash as I was on vacation vehicle would not accelerate and turned off causing us to almost wreck and having to leave it on the side of the road and call a Uber and get a tow. There is many reports of this issue it needs to be a recall.

NHTSA ID

11663874

Incident

May 30, 2025

I drive a 2016 jeep compass and I was heading into work at 5AM when my electronic throttle control light, check engine light and traction control light all came on. I lost the ability to accelerate so I pulled off on the side of the road and turned off my car. When I turned it back on only the check engine light came on so I started driving once again but my throttle control light blinked on a couple of times causing my vehicle to automatically slow down. I limped my car to work then home again with the same problem(same lights on). I have looked up to see what other jeep owners have said about this and they're several complaints of the throttle body failing but jeep not doing anything about it. This is a big problem that needs to be taken care of before someone seriously gets hurt when it goes out.

NHTSA ID

11499466

Incident

Dec 29, 2022

Yesterday I had the Crankshaft Position Sensor replaced because of the ongoing stalling while idle and stalling while in motion issues. Today it has stalled 5 times while in motion on surface streets and the highways going over 40 mph and twice in a parking when sitting idle or initial startup. For the times when in motion and it stalled I was able to get off the road and avoid any collisions. This is unsafe, the truck must sit for an unknown period of time before it will restart. I am currently sitting on the freeway with hazards until it restarts. I spoke with Chrysler recall and they say there is nothing wrong with the truck and the information online showing multiple 2016 Jeep Compass stalling issues doesn’t mean anything because it’s not in the Jeep database. In the past when it stalls the check engine light normally does not come on. In my research it shows other owners being told the dealer cans dx anything because no errors. We are supposed to just drive these death traps until one of us dies before Chrysler will do anything. I am not financially able to go to a dealer and pay for diagnostics and repairs. As it stand I paid over $400 yesterday for that one part to be replaced. When will Chrysler be held accountable for these safety issues related to driving a vehicle that stalls and loses power while in motion. Then will not restart for an unknown amount of time. Why do we have to possibly pay with our lives. If this truck actually held value l could trade it in. But I can’t it’s worth 5k on kbb and the note is at 17k. In a previous complaint I got the mileage wrong and stated 116k.

NHTSA ID

11499438

Incident

Dec 29, 2022

While driving the vehicle shut down, I lost all steering. It has a history of stalling while driving, stalling while idle, and not restarting for random periods of time. After getting the vehicle restarted it stalled again two more times while driving. I parked in a parking lot for a shopping center. When I cam out after a period of 30-45 minutes - the vehicle will not start and just turns over and over. I used FIXD to determine the camshaft position sensor was listed as a "major" issue - error P0335. I believe this vehicle is unsafe and it is only a matter of time when I will be injured due to the stalling and non-restarting issues. I also believe Chrysler is responsible for this problem. Considering the vast amounts of user evidence online of other owners having the same issues - Chrysler is just waiting for them to age off the road. I purchased the vehicle from Carmax on 6/18/2022 and feel I was sold a lemon. I have made a complaint on this site before. I have called Chrysler and they say there is nothing wrong with my vehicle - it has been repaired and they did their part. Obviously this is not the case for mine and thousands of other owners across the country. Why are we the ones who have to suffer at the negligence of the automaker? Do I have to die or become severely injured for them to take responsibility for their design and manufacturing flaws? Do others have to suffer irreparable damage also? Why won't the government do something about these unsafe vehicle we were sold? It is not enough to say "well there are no active recalls".

NHTSA ID

11499067

Incident

Dec 27, 2022

In May 2020 as I was driving down the road at approximately 50 mph I suddenly lost the ability to accelerate and dropped down to 25 mph immediately. I tried to accelerate, but the vehicle would not go over 25 mph. The check engine, traction control and another light illuminated on the dash. I pulled the vehicle over and shut it off. I waited approximately 5 minutes and restarted the vehicle. All of the lights went off except the check engine light. I started to drive again and it appeared that I had function back with the accelerator. This happened again several days earlier. It seemed to happen most when I needed to accelerate to climb a hill or slight incline. This is not safe, especially when in traffic or with traffic behind you. I brought it to my local garage and it was diagnosed with a bad throttle body sensor. The sensor was replaced in May 2020. I have just begun having similar issues again recently. The vehicle seems to hesitate when the accelerator is pressed as though it is not getting enough gas. I brought it is to the garage again, and again it was diagnosed with a bad throttle body sensor. This is not something that should be replaced twice in 2 years?

NHTSA ID

11481219

Incident

Aug 10, 2022

Have replaced Cam Shaft AND Crankshaft Positioning sensors to no avail. Check engine light will come and go, sometimes with the traction control lights as well if the brake is engaged for any length of time. After these lights come on, the jeep loses the ability to accelerate, leaving the car in limp mode. Light goes off after each sensor is replaced, will drive fine for a day or so, and then will leave you stuck. All attempts to diagnose, end in codes that have already been fixed

NHTSA ID

11479305

Incident

Aug 15, 2022

Vehicle has a slow acceleration ration. I was merging onto the Freeway and pressing on the accelerator, but it does not accelerate. It takes quite sometime to pickup speed, throttle body light has just started coming on along with the check engine light. Purchased Vehicle 8/2021, no acceleration from the beginning. Check engine and Throttle Body light 2-3 weeks ago.

NHTSA ID

11472213

Incident

Sep 5, 2021

While driving on the highway, the electronic throttle control light suddenly flashed and the car refused to accelerate. This happened multiple times while driving so I took it to the dealership and they say the throttle body needs to be replaced for $993. Many reviews online report the same exact problem and the dealership just laughs at them and says there isn't a recall on the part. The speed limit on the road I was on was 55 mph so being shot down to 20 mph while my car jerked unexpectedly was very dangerous for me and my son in our vehicle and the cars around us. There was no warning and the car hasn't had any problems before besides a slow start about once every other month. This needs to be fixed and recalled before people end up dead.

NHTSA ID

11461359

Incident

Apr 17, 2022

I was recently driving my vehicle at a speed of 50mph when all of a sudden the engine light and the electrical light came on and I was unable to accelerate. I was able to pull over. Restart the car and get to my mechanic. A diagnostic was run and it was determined it was the throttle body actuator. I said fix the part. Apparently it is on backorder and there is nothing Jeep can to and the only way you can get one emergently, is to have your car break down The following day I was driving and my vehicle completely stopped without warning. I was able to pull over. My car was not drivable and had to be towed. I called Jeep and the service manager laughed and said the part was on backorder. My brother was able to find an aftermarket part to replace it. I filed a claim with Jeep to cover it and replace the part and they told me there is no recall and they will not do it. My car is 6 years old, which is not old for a Jeep. Upon looking on-line, this is an ongoing issue with Jeep Compasses since 2015. Jeep knows this is a SAFETY issue and they are not recalling the part. If I was on the highway when this happened, I would have been killed. There is no warning at all. You are at a speed and then the car just shuts down. There is no warning. This needs to be investigated as it is a serious safety defect with the vehicle that Jeep knows about and is refusing to put the safety of their customers first.

NHTSA ID

11453150

Incident

Feb 19, 2022

This morning (08.20.21) I was driving to work when about 1 mile in I was going 45mph and my car started stalling, causing it to drop to 10mph. The engine light and traction control light are consistently on. The electronic throttle control light is constantly blinking when I have the ignition on. My car has been in limp mode all day and will not go over 10mph. I almost got hit by the car behind me when it happened and almost hit someone else trying to get out of their way. I’ve been looking into it all day and I found that there was a recall “S89” on Jeep Compass 2016 made anytime between May 9, 2016 and July 15, 2016 and which came equipped with 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engines. Mine was manufactured July 15, 2016 and is a 2.0-liter.

NHTSA ID

11429949

Incident

Aug 20, 2021

Occasionally, while driving, the vehicle will exhibit catastrophic electrical system failures. I was driving home just last night, and my headlights, turn signals, horn, windshield wipers, dash lights, hazard lights, and cruise control all turned off. I was able to limp it home with the help of someone driving in front of me, because I could not see. Imagine doing 45 mph on a turn at night, in an area with no streetlights, and all of a sudden your headlights and running lights turn off. I'm lucky I didn't hit a tree. No hazards means no one would have seen me on the road waiting for help until it was too late.

NHTSA ID

11418795

Incident

May 26, 2021

MY 2016 JEEP COMPASS BEGAN STALLING WHILE IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS AS WELL AS STALLING WHILE DRIVING LAST WEEK. I'VE GOOGLED AND I SEE THAT SEVERAL JEEP OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AS WELL. I'VE NOT FOUND A RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC VIN, HOWEVER, THERE WAS ONE ISSUED FOR DODGE AND JEEPS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY, 8, 2016 - JULY 12, 2016. CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR WIRE HARNESS NOT MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY, THIS IS MAINLY FOR 2.0 L AND 2.4 L ENGINES. RECALL # S89/NHTSA HOV-907. THIS IS OUTRAGEUOUS! AUTO SHOPS CAN'T SEEM TO DIAGNOSE THIS ISSUE PROPERLY, BUT SOMEHOW THE NHTSA DID! MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AS I WRITE THIS, I"VE MISSED TWO DAYS OF WORK AND I AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SOLD, AND SO-CALLED INSPECTED PRIOR TO BEING SOLD. THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED BACK IN JANUARY OF 2017, THE STATEMENT WAS DATED FEBRUARY 2017. I BOUGHT MY JEEP IN JANUARY OF 2018, I AM THE SECOND OWNER, AND NOW, I F EEL AS THOUGH CHRYSLER IS COVERING THIS UP BY NOT ISSUING A TOTAL RECALL ON ALL VINS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SENT OUT TO ALL DEALERS, ESPECIALLY PRE-OWNED DEALERS.

NHTSA ID

11372817

Incident

Oct 30, 2016

Mileage

71,110 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND MY VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, PULLED OVER TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES TURNED MY VEHICLE BACK ON JUST CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED. AFTER WORK THAT DAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF... RPMS HAD BEEN FLUCTUATING RANDOMLY FOR ABOUT A WEEK.. GOT IN MY CAR THIS MORNING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON AND TRACTION CONTROL COMES AND GOES. NUMEROUS VEHICLES MADE BY FCA THAT HAVE THE 2.4 ENGINE ACROSS THE BOARD HAVE MULTIPLE THROTTLE BODY ISSUES CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID

11372331

Incident

Oct 21, 2020

Mileage

51,000 mi

ALL WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY AND DINGING WHILE IN MOTION. ALSO VEHICLES DOESN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE AND RPMS JUMPING UP AND DOWN.

NHTSA ID

11372328

Incident

Oct 16, 2020

Mileage

68,000 mi

THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL IS DEFUNCT AND THE CAR HAS LOW MILEAGE. I STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING!

NHTSA ID

11366427

Incident

Sep 19, 2019

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FLUCTUATED BETWEEN 0 - 1,000 RPM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BAY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (636 15TH ST, PANAMA CITY, FL 32401; (850) 785-1591) AND IT WAS STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11361582

Incident

Sep 11, 2020

Mileage

68,000 mi

ON TUESDAY, 9/15/2020 I WENT TO TURN ON MY JEEP COMPASS FROM MY DRIVEWAY AND IT WOULD NOT START. HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LATER THAT EVENING I TRIED STARTING MY JEEP AGAIN, IT STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOW OFF. ON FRIDAY, 6/18/2020 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ADVANCED AUTO WHERE THEY CHECKED MY BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER - ALL 3 ITEMS CAME BACK GOOD. ON MY WAY HOME FROM ADVANCED AUTO I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON SOUTH RAILROAD STREET IN PALMYRA, PA. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN FOR ME TO GO, I WENT TO RELEASE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF - IT WAS JUST COMPLETELY DEAD, NOTHING WAS WORKING. I THEN WENT TO PUT MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE, AND I FELT PRESSURE UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE THAT WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO COMPLETELY PRESS IT DOWN. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I TRIED TURNING MY KEY AND RESTARTING THE CAR, AND IT TURNED BACK ON AND I WAS THANKFULLY ABLE TO DRIVE IT BACK HOME. ON MONDAY, 9/21/2020 I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO LADD-HANFORD IN LEBANON, PA. ON 9/22/2020 KELSEY SHELLEHAMER CALLED ME FROM LADD-HANFORD TO INFORM ME THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS FAULTY, THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS FOR THE SAME MODEL BUT JUST NOT MY YEAR, SO SHE WAS GOING TO CALL CHRYSLER AND SEE IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT ANYWAY. ON 9/23/2020 I RECEIVED ANOTHER CALL FROM KELSEY. SHE STATED THAT SHE SPOKE TO CHRYSLER, THEIR WARRANTY DEPARTMENT AND ALSO MVP, ALL OF WHICH DECLINED RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING THE PART.

NHTSA ID

11361156

Incident

Sep 15, 2020

Mileage

47,991 mi

SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING THEN DIFFICULT STARTING AGAIN

NHTSA ID

11353714

Incident

Aug 16, 2020

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AFTER I PUT GAS IN THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WE CHECKED EVERYTHING CANNOT FIGURE OUT ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON SO WE TOOK THE BATTERY OUT PUT IT BACK IN AND RESET THE LIGHTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT. ROUGHLY 3 OR 4 DAYS AFTER THAT IT WAS MORNING IT WAS MISTY THE ROADS WERE WET I WENT ABOUT 5 BLOCKS TOOK A RIGHT TURN WENT ANOTHER 5 BLOCKS TOOK A LEFT TURN AND ALL THE SUDDEN ANTI SKID LIGHTS CAME ON THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE LIGHTNING BOLT LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR HAD NO POWER. SOI PULLED IT OVER AND WE HAD IT TOWED HOME I HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST IN IT'S C1221 I BELIEVE WAS THE CODE WE HAVE NOT DRIVE IT SINCE.

NHTSA ID

11352451

Incident

Aug 28, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

OUR VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, RADIO NO LONGER WORKS BUT CLOCK DOES, ENGINE CRACK SHAFT MAKES IT HARD FOR VEHICLE TO START. CAR WAS CHECKED FOR BATTER, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER AND CHECK OUT ALL GOOD. IT STRUGGLES TO START JUST STARTED A FEW WEEKS AGO. IT TAKES ALOT TO BUILD SPEED SOMETIMES AND STALLS SOMETIMES ACTING AS IF IT WANTS TO CUT OFF.

NHTSA ID

11348902

Incident

Jun 11, 2020

Mileage

117,000 mi