Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Jeep Compass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost power with the check engine and fuel warning lights illuminated. The engine failure, check engine, transmission, engine oil, and alignment messages were displayed. Additionally, the doors locked and unlocked, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and then stalled. The vehicle was restarted after 30 minutes, and on the second failure, the vehicle restarted in approximately 10 minutes. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the Jeep dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were multiple communication errors and that the software needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred a month later. …
On my way to work my 2019 Jeep compass all of a sudden started flashing all these error messages while I was driving (check shifter, service transmission, service ESC, AWD warnings, check coolant, car shutting down) my car seemed to be stuck in 1st gear, and my parking brake came on. While panicking trying to get off the road, I turn left but my car is going so slow a truck comes over the hill and slams into my passenger side. I've had my car less than 2 years and it did this exact same thing a few days after I bought it , I took it back to the dealership I bought it from, but they couldn't replicate the issue, the car corrected itself and was fine until April 6 when it started again while I was driving and caused me to be in an accident. …
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to approximately 45 MPH for approximately 3 seconds, hesitated, and then stalled. The contact stated that before the vehicle stalled, the coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil, START/STOP, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number; however, the case was closed. The contact was offered a reimbursement but declined. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that a message that the coolant level was high was displayed on the instrument panel and immediately after the message was displayed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. Additionally, the windows failed to open and close, the doors failed to lock and unlock, and there were other unstated electrical malfunctions. The contact coasted over to the side of the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times for the vehicle to operate as needed. The failure was intermittent but had occurred approximately 12 times. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact had not received a callback. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle would stall and shutoff without warning. The contact stated that there was a period between the vehicle stalling and being restarted. The time between shutdown and restarting might vary. The failure occurred at various speeds. The check engine and engine cooling system failure warning light had illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The contact stated that several other electrical shortages were experienced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred them back to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to restart on various occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the failure codes were cleared; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled antifreeze, and the vehicle then lost motive power with the check engine, performance transmission, seat belt, and various other warning lights illuminated, and messages displayed. The contact stated that he replaced the battery; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
The contact's wife owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while his wife was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact's wife was able to restart the vehicle. The contact's wife stated no warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure; however, the oil pressure light illuminated afterward. The contact stated that the vehicle also occasionally stalled after being shifted into reverse. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing an oil change. Additionally, the START/STOP battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated the steering wheel seized and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, but the failure could not be replicated. The local dealer informed the contact that the coolant temperature warning light was inaccurately illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,800.
The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated, and the coolant hot warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle was pulled over and allowed to cool down, and then coolant was added. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a cylinder had failed, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
We were stopped at a traffic light, began to move when the driver instrument display went red, said coolant was high, the car stalled, and we were hit from behind by another SUV. After we were able to restart it, the display returned to normal. We waited for the police to arrive, got an accident report and now the car is at the dealer. Also, before that the radio display was acting up with lines in i like a bad television then it would shut off. The dealer says it needs a new radio (on a 4-year-old Jeep), and they want to apply updates that SHOULD fix the issue.
NHTSA investigations
False overheat leading to loss of motive power
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.
Engine complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 165 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Jeep Compass, 50% of the model year's 330 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Jeep Compass engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2019 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 2019 Jeep Compass engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.