Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Jeep Compass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My car stalls while driving often. I've also experienced my car shutting off while driving a few times. It sometimes shows a red lightning bolt. I am very scared for my life and the lives of other drivers while I drive this vehicle because I never know if or when my car will stall in the middle of me driving at speeds above 50 miles per hour. The car will usually stall for about 10-15seconds and then power back on, but sometimes the car just shuts off and slows down so I have to pull over because it wont accelerate since the car just shut off. After pulling over, I wait bout 10 minutes and turn the car on and it's fine. I took it to a mechanic multiple times and they can't find the issue. They said they can only see what I'm talking about if the dash shows the check engine light but my check engine light is not on. …
ABS module is faulty causing other issues including problems with electronic stability, no speedometer, no cruise control, no abs brakes. Apparently Jeep is no longer making this part as it has been on backorder for months. I feel it is unsafe as winter weather is nearing and abs brakes would be essential for safe driving. At [redacted] old I feel it is an essential part of safe driving for myself and my wife. I've been communicating with Jeep customer care for several weeks with absolutely no resolve. It appears they are not even producing the part that would seem essential for safe driving.
The car broke down the very first day I got it! The alternator had to be changed I took it back to Auto connection where I got it from and they replaced it. Since then the car has been breaking down, I have had to pay for out of pocket for a new thermostat, another alternator, hoses, fuel pump, and I have only had the car a yr. Now it's making a loud hissing noise after I just paid for brand new spark plugs and it's not accelerating and ver 40/45 mph! Which is costing me more money to pay for a uber to work and everywhere I need to go while still making car payments! My insurance doesn't handle these repairs. I need immediate help please!
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.
1.Electrical: the touch screen, which is used for the radio & backup camera, is completely shot. One day in May, I was driving my car & the screen went from working to a fuzzy image & then to it going completely black. The radio stopped working as well. The lights around the screen (connected to the buttons) work but tend to flicker every now & then. This is a safety risk for myself & my family because I don't have the extra support & awareness to backup with confidence or warnings. It hasn't been looked at by anyone & there were no warnings prior to failure. It has been a consistent failure since then. 2. Engine: Jeep keeps overheating. Has been since April. It was inspected by a mechanic & also paid to have it "fixed" however the problem persists. It is a safety issue because my car could overheat & stop working & cause issues with other drivers. …
While driving months ago my car lost all control of throttle, all controls shut down, and I barely made it to the side of the road. Got the car checked, it appeared to be the throttle body sensor. Had the sensor completely replaced, it has been 4 months since replacement, and this morning while driving around a curve the car lost acceleration, all controls shut off, and my steering wheel locked up, causing me to be stuck in the middle of a sharp curve in the middle of the road. I turned the ignition to off and restarted the vehicle and it started up and drove fine. I also have had an issue when accelerating where it has a hard time changing gears, and it gives a slight jerking in the throttle where it won't change. This morning after my incident the car has started vibrating while in drive and idles at 1000 RPM. …
April 15, 2018 vehicle only has 58K miles on it and is still under powertrain warranty. Pulled out onto highway in busy traffic and vehicle shuddered and lost power. I was unable to accelerate over 20mph. Oncoming car narrowly missed hitting me. Lightning bolt, check engine light, and ABS warning lights all flashed on drivers panel. Brought car to dealer to be inspected and diagnosis codes are that I need a new throttle body converter. Vehicle doesn't even have 60K miles on it and the engine is still under warranty, however, dealer says warranty does not cover throttle body. :/ very dangerous problem that I've discovered a lot of other people are having problems with. :/ looks like Jeep made a faulty part that can result in a serious accident if someone loses power at the wrong time.
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.
My anti-lock brake system fault indicator, stability control indicator and 4 wheel drive (with exclamation point) indicator are on when engine starts. Within 15 seconds of me driving, all indicator lights briefly turn off. That is followed by a ~5 seconds of my car stalling with the stability control indicator blinking. Shortly after, all lights turn back on. This is an ongoing issue that I have tested multiple times over the course of a week. I am worried to take my car outside of my neighborhood and believe it is an issue caused by the vehicle as opposed to self-inflicted. Note: I have replaced the battery and the issue remains. The vehicle has just under 75,000 miles.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2014 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 Jeep Compass, 12% of the model year's 307 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Jeep Compass electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2014 Jeep Compass, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Jeep Compass electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.