2019 Jeep Compass

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.

After making a stop at a stop light the start/stop feature turned the vehicle off. When releasing the break instead of the car restarting, the vehicle stalled and applied the parking break.

NHTSA ID

11764223

Incident

Sep 12, 2026

The Jeep randomly said stop/safely vehicle will turn off soon and it quit and left me stranded at 11pm. I have taken it to several shops and no one seems to know how to fix the issue.

NHTSA ID

11763471

Incident

Aug 19, 2026

The central Uconnect infotainment display completely failed, went black, and is entirely inoperable. Because the screen is dead, the rear backup camera fails to display an image when the vehicle is shifted into Reverse. This creates a severe safety hazard, drastically reduces rearward visibility, and places the vehicle in direct violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111 (FMVSS 111) regarding mandated rear visibility.Furthermore, this total hardware failure completely locks out access to all internal vehicle safety, climate, and driving settings that are exclusively controlled via the touchscreen. The system failed prematurely roughly one year after purchase under normal operating conditions. This issue mirrors the symptoms of major backup camera recalls issued by Stellantis for newer model years, but my 2019 VIN is currently excluded. The manufacturer has quoted over $2,000 to repair this known component defect, which consumer data shows is linked to inadequate internal thermal management and overheating design flaws. I am filing this report to urge the NHTSA to investigate and mandate an expansion of the backup camera recall to include vulnerable 2019 vehicle batches. The Uconnect screen failure occurred simultaneously with a total loss of the Engine Stop/Start (ESS) system and a complete loss of illumination on the electronic gear shifter assembly, indicating a critical cascading failure within the vehicle's low-voltage electrical distribution network

NHTSA ID

11760980

Incident

Feb 19, 2022

When driving it will randomly stall out/shut off in the middle of an intersection or just while driving in general. While also giving a message about the coolant temperature

NHTSA ID

11757536

Incident

Aug 17, 2026

I was rear ended at a high rate of speed airbags didn’t deploy

NHTSA ID

11753535

Incident

Jul 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s side side-curtain air bag deployed unexpectedly. There was no injury reported. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11752494

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

Mileage

109,000 mi

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 ID

11751519

Incident

May 18, 2026

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 ID

11748014

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

Service 4WD Light Illuminated Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● C2260-63 - ECU Internal Performance - Circuit Component Protection Time-Out Customers may also comment on the following: ● Service 4WD indicator is illuminated.

THROTTLE BODY – NONE

THROTTLE BODY – NONE

BOLT - HEX FLANGE HEAD

Passive Entry Exterior Door Handle Inoperative When Touched To Lock And Or Unlock.

Radio Message "Power Surge On USB Detected" Customers may comment on the following: ● The radio displays the message: “Power surge on USB hub detected” Fig. 1. NOTE: After the message appears, no USB devices function in the hub (no charging, no data). NOTE: Hub operation does not return until the vehicle undergoes a full key cycle.