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 Jeep is currently back at the dealership for the second time because the ESC turns off/on own its own. The first time this happened, the ABS and check engine lights came on and stayed on. The dealership said it was a faulty sensor and replaced it. Now a few months later it is doing the same thing again, and now the windshield wipers come on when I use the left/right turn signals, turn the headlights on, and sometimes just driving down the road. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. The dealership service manager stated to my husband that its not safe for the vehicle do this. However, the dealership says that the vehicle does not display an error code, and they cannot recreate these issues. Vehicle also makes a grinding noise when turning and the steering feels very vague and bouncy. These issues happen randomly during both city and highway driving. …
The warning lights on the dash board go on intermittendly for the ABS, traction control, and 4wd. When driving the vehicle, the engine will pause a few seconds, warning lights will go on, and vehicle will proceed forward. The most significant instance was when I was turning left into an intersection, the vehicle vibrated for approximately 30 seconds, speed reduced to 2mph, warning ligts for ABS, traction control, and 4wd went on, and vehicle proceeded forward. I had vehicle serviced three times for this problem. When the vehicle is connected to the computer to run diagnostics, nothing is indicated. The mechanic changed the wheel bearing 4 times with the hope that would correct the problem. It has not. When driving on a highway, the vehicle seems to shift into this error mode with the pause, ABS, traction control, and 4wd lights go on and the vehicle proceeds forward. …
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.
The ABS brake lights came on as well as the skid warning light when I started the car. About 30 seconds later as I was driving straight at about 25 MPH down the street, there was a loud clicking sound and the brakes locked up and the steering wheel locked up too. Or possibly could have been the transmission that locked up. I can't be sure. But it is safe to say the entire care locked up leaving me unable to steer or maneuver the car in any manner. I waited a few minutes and the lights went off and I was able to get the car back home. I waited a couple of hours and started the car again and the ABS and skid light came back on. The car is a 2014 Jeep Compass.
2014 Jeep Compass sport lost power while driving on the highway this vehicle went from going 65-70 miles per hour to barely being able to get up to speed of 30mph that is with pressing accelerator all the way to the floor. Once exiting off of the highway the vehicle continued to lose power when pressing accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. The vehicle will start, but barley has any power to drive. This is very life threatening and dangerous! This problem has been noted and should have been recalled way before now. I have seen reviews about this happening to other Jeep Compass owners. Please fix asap! Before lives are taken..
I was driving about 45 MPH on a country road, after a curve in the road, my Jeep"s traction control and check engine light came on as well as the electronic throttle control started flashing. My Jeep then went into "limp mode" and I couldn't drive faster than 40 MPH. I'm so glad that I was on a country road because if this would have happened on a highway it would have been very dangerous. I was finally able to get my Jeep home and it has been fine since but now I'm constantly worried that this is going to happen again at anytime.
Takata recall complaint - engine, fuel propulsion system, vehicle speed control 2014 Jeep Compass sputters and jerks, difficulty accelerating daily on all types of roads and highways since 2016 until current and now since 5/6/209 and 5/10/2019 the engine light randomly came on along with the electronic throttle light. Unable to accelerate above 45 or 50 MPH..only gain speed when going downhill. I was scared and had the car towed home I was on the freeway my life was in danger
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, [phone]) was contacted and stated that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 69,000.
While driving the etc light came on and car lost speed to 20 MPH. Also the engine light came on. I pulled over got out my manual and it said to put in park and turn off car. Cycle? It and try to start again. It worked for the next 5 miles and did it again. Air conditioner stopped putting out cool air. I drove home at 20 MPH
While driving my Jeep continues to stall and stutter and gives off multiple error codes. I get my 4 wheel turned on, ABS, fuel pump, and an electrical code that is a lighting bolt in a set of parenthesis. This is happening each time I am driving and the car slows to about 10 MPH then begins to stop driving.
Traction Control complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2014 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2014 Jeep Compass, 7% of the model year's 307 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Jeep Compass traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
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.