2021 Jeep Compass Problems & Owner Complaints

Electrical System 31 1 crash

“[XXX] nearly three minutes after dropping my kids off to school, driving near the [XXX] ! 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 infor…”
NHTSA complaint #11722645, 2026 · crash

“The engine will shut off completely while traveling a a normal rate of speed. The temperature gauge will malfunction and report high temperature (when there is none) and the engine will shut off. It cannot be restarted without putting the car in park and pressing the brake while in the midst of moving traffic. This has happened to me multiple times. At first, turning off the auto stop/start feature would prevent this form happening but turning it off no longer prevents this. This happens randomly and cannot be reproduced manually. It is also extremely dangerous and upsetting when this ha…”
NHTSA complaint #11738824, 2026

“The infotainment screen in my 2021 Jeep Compass has developed a display failure where the screen is glitching and unusable. The issue persists after restarting the vehicle and appears to be a hardware malfunction. This affects visibility of navigation, backup camera, and vehicle settings, which creates a potential safety concern while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11726595, 2026

Unknown Or Other 27 3 crash 1 fire

“Rear ended decelerating someone and the car went up in flames then blew up. We are not sure why this happened or what failed for this to happen. Had I not gotten out to check on the other vehicle I could have been seriously injured or worse and this has been looked at by our insurance company.”
NHTSA complaint #11526378, 2023 · crash · fire

“[XXX] nearly three minutes after dropping my kids off to school, driving near the [XXX] ! 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 infor…”
NHTSA complaint #11722645, 2026 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A SIDE BARRIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED A MONTH PRIOR AND WAS RELATING THE CRASH TO THE TIRES BALDING. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO STEVE LANDERS TOYOTA (10825 COLONEL GLENN RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72204). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT B…”
NHTSA complaint #11408037, 2021 · crash

Engine 16

“The engine will shut off completely while traveling a a normal rate of speed. The temperature gauge will malfunction and report high temperature (when there is none) and the engine will shut off. It cannot be restarted without putting the car in park and pressing the brake while in the midst of moving traffic. This has happened to me multiple times. At first, turning off the auto stop/start feature would prevent this form happening but turning it off no longer prevents this. This happens randomly and cannot be reproduced manually. It is also extremely dangerous and upsetting when this ha…”
NHTSA complaint #11738824, 2026

“This first occurred on 3/10/2026 and then occurred again on 3/15/2026. When driving the coolant temp warning will randomly come on. This causes the car to lock up. After about 30-60 seconds it goes back to normal. This could very dangerous if I were on the interstate that I take every day to work. I am a mechanic, have hooked it up to a computer and there are no codes. I have tried to research it a learned that it is a consistent issue that seems to be common in the Jeep Compass, going back as far as the 2019 model.”
NHTSA complaint #11724485, 2026

“The high coolant temperature light cut on and turned my vehicle off while driving. This problem has been reported on older model Jeep compasses. The car never turned back on and I had to get my vehicle towed home.”
NHTSA complaint #11713673, 2026

Power Train 8

“Every single time I seen the climb McDonald pass in Helena, Montana the car freaks out says service transmission now no matter if I do it at 55 miles an hour or 75 miles an hour, which is about as fast as it’ll go up the pass, it goes in the limp mode, shuts off the fuel pump says service transmission now every single light on the dash that could come on comes on. I don’t know what’s going on with it. I’ve taken it to the dealership. They can’t seem to figure it out.”
NHTSA complaint #11684207, 2025

“For 6months I have a low oil pressure light come on before my oil change is due. Dealer has ran 3 oil consumption test pass/fail/pass the next one will fail as I had to add 2 quarts or oil this week and my oil change isn’t due for 2k more miles. There is no leak visible so it must be within the motor. As well as I have already replaced start/stop battery as well as main battery bc if the start/stop and it hasn’t been a year and the lights are back on and I can’t engage it. The oil issue start before the warranty went out the first time. Now I have no warranty and have to feed the car oil. It i…”
NHTSA complaint #11659703, 2025

“Several times a year since having my 2021 Compass, as I'm driving my car shuts off out of no where and a message on my dashboard lights up in regards to the coolant system. The car is never overheated when this happens and both of my batteries have been changed. It has happened to me in the middle of going through intersections, at stoplights, and while driving. It is NOT SAFE to have your car shut down without warning!! I have to put the car in park and restart and it starts up right away each time. There are SO MANY threads of this same complaint and customers having their Jeep dealer look…”
NHTSA complaint #11634603, 2024

Service Brakes 6

“While driving my vehicle the parking brake engaged itself and my vehicle stopped suddenly without me engaging the brakes. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they stated it was an issue with the emissions system that caused the vehicle to do an “emergency stop”. I paid the amount required by the warranty and they stated they fixed the issue. However, while driving in the freeway (approximately 75 mph), the vehicle began to have the same issue and began to stop while I was driving. My daughter and myself were in the vehicle, during high traffic and we were fortunate not to be hit while dri…”
NHTSA complaint #11653805, 2025

“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the brake warning light began flashing. The vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Action Number: PE22013 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE). The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11638310, 2025

“1.When I come to a stop my car jolts forward hard like I was hit from behind. 2. Issue is the lighting display is very dim during the day time once in a while randomly dims making it difficult to see my speed. 3. My radio panel shuts off randomly. 4. Auto collision detector is off .”
NHTSA complaint #11606937, 2024

Steering 6 1 crash

“I bought the Jeep 2000 24 June 5th from Auto Lenders and Fairless hills vehicle had 34,632 miles on it took it back June 18th for inspection and that there was noise coming from the front end when you went over speed bump metal climbing I told him they said they found nothing took it back again July 10th with the same issues and everything they found nothing the miles on the car on July 10th in where 35,677 MI that was in going out $35,677 mi which they never moved the vehicle took it back again in September for the same issue so they found nothing I was going to take it back again on Christma…”
NHTSA complaint #11644249, 2024 · crash

“This first occurred on 3/10/2026 and then occurred again on 3/15/2026. When driving the coolant temp warning will randomly come on. This causes the car to lock up. After about 30-60 seconds it goes back to normal. This could very dangerous if I were on the interstate that I take every day to work. I am a mechanic, have hooked it up to a computer and there are no codes. I have tried to research it a learned that it is a consistent issue that seems to be common in the Jeep Compass, going back as far as the 2019 model.”
NHTSA complaint #11724485, 2026

“I purchased this vehicle not quite a year ago. After about 3 months while turning I noticed a knocking sound coming from the left front of the vehicle while turning. When I was able I took the vehicle back to dealer who stated it was the rack and pinion. I was told by a local mechanic if not repaired it can come a lose cause you to loose control causing accident. After I was told this I researched an found several other jeep owners had this same problem. My vehicle now has 58k miles on it had only 32K when purchased I did get warranty dealer refused repairs I would like jeep to investigated b…”
NHTSA complaint #11588162, 2023

Vehicle Speed Control 5 1 crash

“[XXX] nearly three minutes after dropping my kids off to school, driving near the [XXX] ! 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 infor…”
NHTSA complaint #11722645, 2026 · crash

“I was driving on the Arecibo. P.R. highway when suddently the car started acelererating..i wouldn't show down. There were a lot of cars on the road, so I had to swerve onto the grass and hit a tree car. I dind'd receive any help from highway patrol. The Police were show to arrive. I've done some research and this Jeep Compass has received many complaints about this factory defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11730531, 2026

“The high coolant temperature light cut on and turned my vehicle off while driving. This problem has been reported on older model Jeep compasses. The car never turned back on and I had to get my vehicle towed home.”
NHTSA complaint #11713673, 2026

Exterior Lighting 4

“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 th…”
NHTSA complaint #11664881, 2025

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11618186, 2024

“1.When I come to a stop my car jolts forward hard like I was hit from behind. 2. Issue is the lighting display is very dim during the day time once in a while randomly dims making it difficult to see my speed. 3. My radio panel shuts off randomly. 4. Auto collision detector is off .”
NHTSA complaint #11606937, 2024

Forward Collision Avoidance 4

“I been having a problem as I noticed it’s been seen multiple times with a jeep compass well mine is a 2021 jeep compass trail hawk. The car will shut off and say high coolant temp when that’s not the problem. The car is not hot and there is no problem with it just lose power and have no control over the car. It shuts off when I’m driving on the highway has left me stranded multiple times. Almost got hit turning on to the highway and it died as I was turning with a car head on. This is so unsafe. The car has been in the shop multiple times they replace stuff say it’s fixed it’s not and happens…”
NHTSA complaint #11628976, 2024

“1.When I come to a stop my car jolts forward hard like I was hit from behind. 2. Issue is the lighting display is very dim during the day time once in a while randomly dims making it difficult to see my speed. 3. My radio panel shuts off randomly. 4. Auto collision detector is off .”
NHTSA complaint #11606937, 2024

“Lane Assist and Front Collision Camera ceased functioning...yes available for inspection Lane assist and traffic collision camera went out while driving in the rain on the freeway. Traffic came to a quick stop and was able to stop without assistance by sliding off to shoulder, was able to miss the other cars but it sure was close. Took to dealer (leased Dec. 2021) with 3,100 miles on it. Told I would have to leave for 72 hours while they figured out what the issue is. (no rental provided). Have not taken in yet. Drives okay without the lane assist and front camera but you cannot rely on t…”
NHTSA complaint #11443457, 2021

Fuel/Propulsion System 4

“Gas pedal broke off while driving. It is made of plastic and the arm that attaches to the pedal snapped off. We towed to a shop to have repaired today. No warning lights or sounds. Thankfully I was going slow and not on a busy street. It could have been a bad outcome if I was merging into on coming traffic. My safety and others were at serious risk due to my car not being able to accelerate with no warning.”
NHTSA complaint #11715296, 2026

“When stopped at a stop sign (on a slight incline, if that could be a factor), the Compass suddenly lost power. No reaction from pressing the gas pedal at all. In Drive or in Reverse. The Check Engine light came on and the temperature gauge went all the way up. Putting it in Park and restarting cleared the Check Engine light and the temperature gauge was right back to normal. Almost like nothing had happened. Thankfully it was a small intersection with no other traffic. But could this happen on the freeway?”
NHTSA complaint #11559641, 2023

“I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JULY 2021. I DRIVE IT 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. EACH WEEK I PUT IN BETWEEN $15-$20 IN GAS TO BRING THE FUEL LEVEL BACK UP TO THE FULL MARK. THE JEEPS DOES NOT HAVE GOOD FUEL ECONOMY. IT DEFINITELY DOES NOT REACH 22-25MPG. I DRIVE IT ABOUT 30MINUTES EACH WAY; WITH A FEW STOPS IN BETWEEN AT ABOUT 40MPH. ALSO, THE JEEP MAKES A LOT OF NOISE TO CLIMB STEEP HILLS. THE NOISE ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN A LOWER GEAR AND THE CAR IS TRYING TO REV UP TO THE NEXT GEAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11430746, 2021

Engine And Engine Cooling 3

“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, a message indicating that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and added water to the coolant reservoir. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine was not running properly while driving. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a burned coolant mark underneath the engine. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not d…”
NHTSA complaint #11663448, 2025

“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the brake warning light began flashing. The vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Action Number: PE22013 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE). The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11638310, 2025

“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The contact's daughter resumed driving; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was able to restart. The overheating warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approx…”
NHTSA complaint #11620624, 2024

Lane Departure 3

“When ESS is Engaged, car does not want to start from stop/engine off after pulling from a stop. Car then turns off Lane Departure and Blind Spot Warning and ESS says needs service. Battery has been replaced 2x by Jeep.”
NHTSA complaint #11620821, 2024

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11618186, 2024

“Lane Assist and Front Collision Camera ceased functioning...yes available for inspection Lane assist and traffic collision camera went out while driving in the rain on the freeway. Traffic came to a quick stop and was able to stop without assistance by sliding off to shoulder, was able to miss the other cars but it sure was close. Took to dealer (leased Dec. 2021) with 3,100 miles on it. Told I would have to leave for 72 hours while they figured out what the issue is. (no rental provided). Have not taken in yet. Drives okay without the lane assist and front camera but you cannot rely on t…”
NHTSA complaint #11443457, 2021

Seat Belts 3

“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with the message "Air Bags Wiring Fault" displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger’s side seat belt latch was defective and failed to latch properly. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,972.”
NHTSA complaint #11727245, 2026

“The seat belts on both sides of the rear seats have frayed completely through the belt webbing at the same exact point. Where the belts connects to the retractor I believe is the name of it. Both belts are entirely separated at the point where they pass through the outer wall. If my inspection station didn't notice the problem on the passenger rear they would not have looked at the driver's side rear which was not completely separated and any occupant could have seriously been hurt. The Dealership inspected them and confirmed the damages described above and the manufacturer (Jeep) also…”
NHTSA complaint #11657384, 2025

“In 3 months later that we got the jeep. The seat spring for reclain go off, later 1 year the motor mounts have alot of noise with the change of speed, and the suspension feel horroble, i been driving like that few months like that and we dont know about this page can we report all this issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11575150, 2023

Air Bags 2 1 crash

“I got t-boned and my airbags didn’t deploy and I smashed my head on the window”
NHTSA complaint #11536187, 2023 · crash

“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with the message "Air Bags Wiring Fault" displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger’s side seat belt latch was defective and failed to latch properly. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,972.”
NHTSA complaint #11727245, 2026

Suspension 2 1 crash

“I bought the Jeep 2000 24 June 5th from Auto Lenders and Fairless hills vehicle had 34,632 miles on it took it back June 18th for inspection and that there was noise coming from the front end when you went over speed bump metal climbing I told him they said they found nothing took it back again July 10th with the same issues and everything they found nothing the miles on the car on July 10th in where 35,677 MI that was in going out $35,677 mi which they never moved the vehicle took it back again in September for the same issue so they found nothing I was going to take it back again on Christma…”
NHTSA complaint #11644249, 2024 · crash

“In 3 months later that we got the jeep. The seat spring for reclain go off, later 1 year the motor mounts have alot of noise with the change of speed, and the suspension feel horroble, i been driving like that few months like that and we dont know about this page can we report all this issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11575150, 2023

Back Over Prevention 1

“The screen in most 2018-present jeep compasses are defective. My car just fell out of the warranty time frame and shortly after the screen failed resulting in no alerts via the back up camera. The camera helps alert you to things you can not see in your blind spots behind the vehicle resulting in a serious safety issue for pedestrians/ small children etc outside of the vehicle and also poses a threat to the driver. There were 0 warnings of failure in this component and I have read numerous hundreds of others describing the same issue. Expecting consumers to purchase this car with such failure…”
NHTSA complaint #11632988, 2024

Firerelated 1 1 fire

“The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed black smoke coming from the front passenger side headlight. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate as needed. The contact pulled over and safely exited the vehicle with her daughter. The vehicle then caught fire and was engulfed in flames. The firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire, but they were unable to determine the cause of the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to…”
NHTSA complaint #11725050, 2026 · fire

Visibility/Wiper 1

“The car only has 47,000 miles on it and the steering wheel buttons stopped working, then while the car was off the windshield wipers started going and wouldn’t stop until the battery died, then when the car battery was charged and the car was started the windshield wipers stopped working, the brake lights stopped working and then the signal lights.”
NHTSA complaint #11569763, 2024

Wheels 1 1 crash

“I bought the Jeep 2000 24 June 5th from Auto Lenders and Fairless hills vehicle had 34,632 miles on it took it back June 18th for inspection and that there was noise coming from the front end when you went over speed bump metal climbing I told him they said they found nothing took it back again July 10th with the same issues and everything they found nothing the miles on the car on July 10th in where 35,677 MI that was in going out $35,677 mi which they never moved the vehicle took it back again in September for the same issue so they found nothing I was going to take it back again on Christma…”
NHTSA complaint #11644249, 2024 · crash