Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Jeep Compass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the check engine, crash avoidance assist, START/STOP, air bags, and other warning lights were illuminated. While driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. Additionally, the vehicle could be started without depressing the brake pedal. There was a burning odor entering into the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the dealer had placed an electronic chip in the vehicle; however, the contact was unable to recall the exact name of the computer chip. The vehicle failed to start after the chip was installed, causing the dealer to remove the new computer chip and replace it with older chip. The contact stated that when the battery was replaced, the warning lights were no longer illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked at a store front in the evening, both headlights were operational. The contact returned and restarted the vehicle; however, the driver's side headlight was inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the headlight and the electrical connectors and harness had melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after the headlight failure, the vehicle was difficult to start one morning. The contact stated that the instrument cluster and the overhead map lights were flashing off and on. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
[redacted] nearly three minutes after dropping my kids off to school, driving near the [redacted] ! My jeep begin to accelerate, I couldn't control the brakes or steering wheel! I became very scared as I approached a curve upon me reaching the curve, the dashboard and radio screen completely blacked out! I lose complete control of the vehicle, hit and embankment and tree! Cause injuries to my left wrist! I'm still in a splint and have a 5lbs restriction in place, with abrasions to my face as well! Found out from the adjuster yesterday they can't even get the vehicle to start to retrieve any needed information!
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled in the middle of the highway. The vehicle lost power, but was able to be restarted, and the vehicle drove in LIMP Mode to the dealer. The "D" on the instrument panel was flashing during failure, and there was an electrical odor inside the vehicle. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was unable to reproduce failure but serviced the auxiliary battery and reprogrammed the transmission; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle the engine was running, and the vehicle turned off independently. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The contact stated that occasionally, several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown computer had failed and simultaneously made other electrical components fail. The contact stated that the Radio Frequency Hub, Electronic Control Unit, and Body Control Module needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,100.
The Jeep's engine decided to shut off at a red light. This jeep has the automatic shutoff for the engine when idling too long. I could not restart the engine. I blocked 2 lanes of traffic, and was unable to push the vehicle out of the way. I Tried restarting the engine several times. The accessories would come on, but the parking brake would NOT disengage and I had several issues trying to get the shifter into neutral to push the car out of an intersection. The fire department lucky was behind me after this happened, and helped me so did local police. 5 different people could not get the car to start or engage into neutral and disengage the parking brake to move the vehicle to a safe location. This was a rental so lucky I am not the owner of a failure of a jeep. This was an emergency situation while it was raining in traffic at an intersection. …
When I was driving all a sudden it started having a weird chugging feeling. I was going 40 MPH. Then when I got to a stop sign, my vehicle completely shut off. I have to hit the button to turn back on as it was not the Auto Start and stop feature. I made it home and as I pulled into my driveway it shut off again. When I start it, just it warming up it shuts off. When I come to a stop sign or traffic light it shuts up in the middle of the intersection. All while this is happening the emergency brake flips on without me turning it on. I have to wait 2 weeks to have it looked at by the Jeep Dealership. My safety and daughters safety was put at Risk because anyone behind us could hit right into the back of us while it malfunctions or oncoming traffic could hit us while it stalls while turning in a turning lane. …
On November 1, 2025, while backing my 2021 Jeep Compass out of the driveway, I noticed the rearview camera started 'jumping' and displaying colored lines. I pulled the vehicle in front of my home, and suddenly there was loud banging and the engine light started flashing. I immediately turned the vehicle off, and it would not start again. I contacted the Jeep dealership Monday morning, November 3, 2025 to advise the vehicle started making loud noises, engine light flashing, rearview camera not displaying properly. The Jeep was subsequently towed to the dealer. I was advised by service tech that there was a fluid leak in the trans pump area. I was also told the vehicle did not pass a battery check, and gave authorization to replace the main battery. …
The touchscreen started flashing off and on and the dash lights also turn off and on. The lane assist and fuel warning pop up even when there is ample fuel. The blinkers do not respond when it is glitching and the high beam/ low beam light disappears on the dash. I have taken it to the dealer twice and they said their were multiple codes triggered in the touch screen/radio and they cleared the codes but it started doing this again a few days later. The 2nd time they downloaded an update to Uconnect system, I have reset the uconnect system back to default and remived all paired devices and even just turned off the entire radio but it continues to effect the dash lights and also effects the inside Temperature which gets stuck. …
Electrical complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Jeep Compass, 42% of the model year's 81 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Jeep Compass electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2021 Jeep Compass. 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 2021 Jeep Compass electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires 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.