8.6

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,370 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2020 Jeep Compass:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2020 Jeep Compass Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #52

Nov 012023

Compass

  • miles

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

At first my car would only display the -??Coolant Temp Too High-?? message if I came to a complete stop, and went again.. or if i would go over a certain speed. At that time, i could pull over, turn it off, wait a few minutes, and turn it back on and i could watch my coolant temp drop drastically.It has progressively gotten worse to the point that i cannot drive the vehicle longer than five minutes without it overheating. I do the same thing, pull off and wait and turn it back on. It starts to go down a bit, however, as soon as i pull out and begin to drive it, it starts to raise back up immediately. There have been times where the message will display as soon as i turn the car on in the morning.. Please help me. I am a young college student and I have not been able to drive my car for over 6 months. We have changed the thermostat, flushed the coolant, checked for leaks, replaced the radiator cap, and water pump. I don-??t know what else to do..

- Big Stone Gap, VA, USA

problem #51

May 172021

Compass

  • miles
Yes, I bought a brand new 2020 Jeep Compass North Edition from a Wisconsin dealer in June 2020. I drove across country to Utah where I know reside. Had no problems on that trip. About 10 months later I started experiencing a "High temp coolant" light come on and the vehicle shuts off and locks up. Very dangerous while driving. After about 30 seconds I could restart it. It happened about 10 times. Then another alarm came on stating "Service electronic throttle control." As well as the "High temp coolant" warning. Milage at this time was 21K. Took it to a dealership because of the extended warranty I purchased. They replaced both batteries but could not get it to "error out" again. They also stated that there were no error codes stored in the memory, even though I had pictures of the dash showing the error codes. I could not get a picture if the "High temp coolant" error because it happens so fast while driving. So, I took it back 2 more times when it did it again. The first time they said I had a cracked head and replaced it, but 2 days later it shut off again with the "High temp coolant" error. No answers or explanation for this issue again. The last time they charged me over $250 for a diagnostic charge and an air filter. Still continues to shut off periodically. It's very disheartening to buy a new vehicle with an extended warranty and have this dangerous situation happen while driving with children in the vehicle. Why doesn't Jeep stand behind their vehicles and fix this issue or recall these vehicles" Does it take someone to be killed and they have a class action lawsuit against them to do something? Wouldn't it be better to be proactive then sorry" I am scared to drive this vehicle other than to work and back because of this issue.

- Clinton, UT, USA

problem #50

Jun 212024

Compass

  • miles
The driveshaft failed at only 32,000 miles and the engine is failing. The dealership confirmed this is happening for other vehicles of my make and model.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #49

Jun 182024

Compass

  • miles

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

I was dropping someone off at work, stopped at the front door, after it said high coolant temperature and my car shut off and rolled, I was about to get in a parking spot. Then I had to get my car towed because I did not want to risk it happening again. My engine and whole car shut off. It was towed to a certified dealership upon request, and is still being checking out. I could have put anyone at risk being in a public area with other cars and people around me but luckily no one was injured. The problem has not be confirmed yet. No the Vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance. It was given to Jeep. The only warning sign was the high coolant then it shut my car off. It first appeared right before it happened.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #48

May 162024

Compass

  • miles
Since i bought this, he gave me a lot of trouble, i though thay gave me bad car is lemon car, when i went to the dealer it take month to fixe, i though they fixe but nothing happen, right know they have the car and when never someone like diagnostic can fixe the problem, i want to change

- Deerfield Beach, FL, USA

problem #47

May 112024

Compass

  • miles
We drove to the grocery store 5 minutes away. After being in the store for about 15 minutes we returned to go home. We tried starting the car and it wouldn-??t start, message -??High coolant temperature-?? came on with orange engine light. We waited 5 minutes, started again and all the warning lights flashed and the car locked up. Nothing would engage, even the brakes. We had to abandon the car in the lot and walk home.

- Walden, NY, USA

problem #46

Feb 262024

Compass

  • miles

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

Coolant mixing with oil three times in a month span with new parts being replaced. With further inspection, driver was not at fault. Vehicle malfunctioned. Overheating after replacement of thermostat, head gasket, and water pump. Auto start/stop goes on and off requesting service.

- Elmwood Park , IL, USA

problem #45

Jan 162024

Compass

  • miles
The first incident happened with my 2020 jeep Compass on 12/27/23 while on the freeway the temp light flashed the gage didn't indicate overheating I got off the freeway check the engine no sign of overheating waited for awhile then started the car again within five minutes car gage went to overheating had it towed the oil cooler went out out mixed with the coolant paid big bucks for the repairs. I got my jeep back on 1/10/2024 drove it for one week then on 1/16/2024 while driving the dash panel flashed car lost speed even pressing the gas peddle to the floor no acceleration while pulling over the emergency break engaged stoping the car in the road. restarted still no acceleration and car won't move in natural or reveres wheels lock can only move forward at low speed, 01/25/2024 car towed from my mechanic to dealership. Scared to keep car the if it's gonna turn itself out while driving that's an accident waiting to happen

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #44

Oct 192023

Compass

  • miles
My 2020 compass keeps shutting off on its own. I will be driving and next thing you know it will start saying "key has left vehicle " or a different message saying a long the lines of its over heating. After the over heating message, the car will completely turn off on me making it hard to steer out of the road. I somehow have yo make it safely out of the way to turn it off and restart it. Im just scared one day it will happen on the highway when cars are going by so fast and ill end up getting in a collision. No solution to the problem. The dealership doesn't know whats going on or even have a clue as to what to look for. This is definitely a safety issue and im upset because no one knows how to fix it. I spent my hard earned money to get this vehicle only to have it be a safety issue for me and my kids. Its been going on for months already. Sooner or later this car is going to be the reason I get into an accident.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #43

Dec 282023

Compass

  • miles
engine shutting off at highway speed, loss of acceleration at highway speeds and shutting down and not restarting at stop signs or stop lights.

- Crofton , MD, USA

problem #42

Oct 282023

Compass

  • miles

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

On October 28, 2023 I was making a turn at a major intersection and a coolant temperature high warning flashed on the dash display and the power to the vehicle shut down. Luckily this happened when it was not overly busy as I could have been killed by cross traffic as I was making a turn. At no time did the vehicle overheat and all that had to be done was to restart the vehicle to reset the error. If this had happened on the highway this could have caused a major accident as when the power goes out like this the steering locks.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #41

Aug 072023

Compass

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #40

Oct 022023

Compass

  • miles
Vehicle experience a dashboard message stating -??High Coolant Temperature-?? or -??Coolant Temperature Too High-?? followed by an immediate engine shutdown.-?? it happens while I'm driving or at a idle.

- Hanapepe, HI, USA

problem #39

Sep 132023

Compass

  • miles
Engine consumes oil rapidly. The touchscreen does not work and shuts off after start-up. Without the touchscreen, the rearview camera does not work, making this problem one of safety. Also, you can not turn on or off safety features in the settings mode, since the screen is blank.

- Statesboro , GA, USA

problem #38

Sep 192023

Compass

  • miles
When trying to start vehicle it displays a -??Service Electrical System-?? error followed by -??Coolant Temperature Too High-?? my coolant gauge sky rockets red and then returns to a very low level. The vehicle has not overheated and has been parked and cooled off completely before trying to start. It is now causing my vehicle to throw messages saying my back up light, brake light, and blinker lights are out but all lights work as they are intended.

- Deltona , FL, USA

problem #37

Sep 162023

Compass

  • miles
I was making a left turn when the temperature indicator shot up to red, it had been reading right in the middle which is normal. Then "coolant temperature high" lit up on the dashboard display. The car started to sputter (like shaking) as I was going through the intersection and I thought it was going to turn off completely. I hit the gas because there was still oncoming traffic and it seems like the car recovered. The gauge showing the temperature slowly went back to normal and the error light went away. The same situation happened about 3 months ago when my husband was driving. However, he was sitting at a light when the temperature went up and the error occurred. The car completely shut down and had to be restarted.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #36

Jun 012021

Compass

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, a low oil pressure warning light illuminated intermittently, and the gears failed to shift as designed. The contact also stated that the front of the vehicle was shaking, causing an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to a dealer the low oil pressure sensor was replaced. After the repair, the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken to another dealer, Harr Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (110 Gold Star Blvd, Worcester, MA 01606) where the service tech was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #35

May 312023

Compass

  • miles
While at a stoplight the engine stalled and the instrument cluster displayed a "coolant temperature high" message. After restarting the engine the temperature gauge displayed the normal mid temp. This has happened once before when reversing in the driveway at home. This scenario is identical to the open investigation at NHTSA from December 2022.

- Saint Charles, IL, USA

problem #34

Apr 192023

Compass

  • miles
Unknown as to exact issue. In August 2021, spark plug blew (according to dealer) in the middle of an intersection after the auto -??off-?? and the engine would not turn back on at approximately 8K miles. The spark plug was replaced under warranty. Starting in April 2023, around 31K miles, on two separate occasions after the auto start/stop is in use. It will turn off unexpectedly and without warning after the vehicle has come to a stop. Both times the vehicle could not be turned completely off and restarted for at least one minute. No messages appear on screen. Both issues appear to be related to the Stop/Start feature. Two different dealers have not been able to identify issue.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #33

May 022023

Compass

  • miles
Engine temporarily shut itself off by itself in the freeway as I was slowing down pressing my brakes because of the cars in front of me in traffic hour. The car flashed a -??coolant temperature too high-?? message then immediately turned itself off for a minute. The engine/coolant temperature gauge was normal the whole time I was driving (in between the cold and the high sign). But even then it flashed that -??coolant temperature too high-?? message and shut itself off right then for a minute after it flashed me that sign. 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 changed gears from drive to neutral and then to park. And after a minute the car turned on again. Even with my four ways on, drivers kept pulling up behind me on the freeway despite my four way lights being on. I prayed I wouldn-??t get hit and cause an accident on the freeway because of my disabled vehicle. A few drivers almost rear ended me because they kept coming up behind me. I kept pressing my brakes and tried restarting my vehicle. I was scared and almost got hit by a some cars. This has happened multiple times every year since I bought the car back in 2021. Before it kept happening at a stop light in the middle of the street and now it happend on the freeway. On the freeway I am driving between 65mph to 80mph and it stopping like that randomly made my heart skip a beat. I thought I was going to be involved in several accidents on the freeway with cars going over 65mph. The car shutting itself off messed up my steering and the braking system. It is a safety hazard. I have gone to the dealership multiple times for this issue and it still happens to me every year. I could have died or caused an accident today.

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?