Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Jeep Compass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost electrical and motive power, causing the vehicle to shut off. The contact was able to pull over on the shoulder of the roadway and restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone where it was ODB scanned and determined that the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
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. …
Continuously stalls out regardless of speed it has stalled on the highway, in the middle of intersections losing power steering. sometimes restarts right away, sometimes not. leaving me stranded in in the middle of highway/intersections sometimes in very dangerous places. It has had a recall repaired in 2017 before I owned the vehicle however it has had the exact same issues as the recall since I've bought it. I've spent the past few years trying to look up recalls and communicate with the dealership with zero luck at all. I've been told time and time again that it has already been repaired and the 2 years warranty is has expired since. (expired before I even bought the car) Yet the car clearly has has not been properly fixed for the same issues to keep happening. Because lack of help to resolve this issue I have paid out of pocket to have these issues repaired. …
On October 12, 2021about 1:30pm, I was at my dentist office. As I was leaving, my 2016 Jeep Compass would not start. I called my wife to bring jumper cables to me. I jumped my vehicle and started towards home. My driveway has a slite income and I drove just inside the overhead door and stopped. For a moment, I took my food off the brake pedal to draw my drivers mirror inward, at that moment, the vehicle started forward. I slammed my foot unto the brake pedal and the pedal went to the floor, not stopping the vehicle before hitting my work bench. The front edge of the hood had five dents in it. I made an appointment with the local Jeep dealer for October 19, 2021. I explained to the service adviser, about the battery and brake pedal, both happening on the same day. Later in that day, the adviser called me at home. …
Component: Engine / Electrical System / Power Train VIN [redacted] Description of Safety Defect: The vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of engine power and completely shut off while traveling at highway speeds. This total engine failure disabled the vehicle on an active highway, forcing an emergency maneuver to reach the shoulder. This incident occurred less than four months after an authorized manufacturer dealership charged over $3,400 to repair the engine's air-induction vacuum and fuel systems. The sudden stalling on a high-speed roadway directly endangered the driver and a [redacted] passenger who were left stranded on the highway shoulder in extreme weather conditions. The vehicle was completely inoperable and required an emergency flatbed tow from the highway back to the repair facility.
Friday 06/17/22 Parked care to go to excise class for 1 hour, when returned the car was running/had been started , I thought maybe the key control hit another set of keys in my pocket however, when I arrived home, and cut car off, and went in house the car started again and this happen several times that day.06/18/22 went to Walmart and parked car, when returned to car and unlocked the car door ,the car automatically locked it self, I unlocked it and it locked itself again.then when got home locked the car and went inside the house, the car then started up and was running again. also, the Radio AM/FM stations not working , only the Sirius radio stations are.
I purchased the vehicle in dec 2018. The odometer read 40248. I had to replace the alternator 3 times. Last one in 2021. the vehicle would loose power on the road causing a safety hazard. Since I bought the jeep the vehicle would stutter when pressing the gas pedal. 2021 at 100,000 miles Check engine light came on and stalled driving home and had to be pushed out of the lane by police. Diagnosing code said misfiring. Took to a small mechanic and replaced engine. After repair still had the stutter. and a year and a half later stalled on highway. The vehicle code now says misfiring on po302. Parked vehicle for now.
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.
I have been having issues with my vehicle for the past month or so. I took it to a mechanic and they said that my Power Transfer Unit is bad and my vehicle currently doesn't have 4 wheel drive capability. My vehicle periodically stutters, slows and looses power while driving at freeway speeds. During all of my issues, not once has my check engine light or any sort of indicator has lit up letting me know I have an issue with my vehicle. I thought newer cars are supposed to know when there is an issue with the vehicle. This is completely unacceptable and now I'm looking at over $2,000 in repairs.
I recently got the catalytic converter and 02 sensor swapped which removed the check engine light. My vehicle was running perfect. The I drive it today. Made a right turn, next thing you know the vehicle starts shaking and such and won't go over 20 mph. I take it to the mechanic. They're telling me the reader isn't picking up the problem. Invalid data. I looked online and multiple people are having the same problem. My thing is I was overcharged charged 25,000 for this vehicle from Sam at jeep, Chrysler, dodge on route 300 Newburgh New York 2 years ago.
Electrical complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Jeep Compass, 21% of the model year's 293 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Compass electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2016 Jeep Compass, though it has 1 recall 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 2016 Jeep Compass electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 16% 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.