2012 Jeep Compass: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 8, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

I have had problems with a hitch or pause in the acceleration of my 2012 Jeep Compass since at least April of last year. I purchased the vehicle used in January 2021. In and of itself, the hitch would be a minor thing, but I think it's related to other problems I'm having with the vehicle losing acceleration, which has become a real point of concern. This has occurred multiple times when I start accelerating from a stop, such as when I'm at an intersection. The car loses acceleration, the traction control light sometimes will come on, the steering will tighten up like I've lost power steering, and the car will come to a halt and stop idling. Nothing happens when I give it gas after it's stopped in these circumstances. I learned that if I turn the car off and back on, that will serve as a sort of reset, and I regain power and can get back on the road. The car has had active codes for a catalytic converter and a crankshaft position sensor. I replaced the crankshaft position sensor in April of last year (with an OEM sensor) after losing power while merging onto an interstate. That seemed to resolve the loss of acceleration problem, but it recurred starting in December of last year. I replaced the crankshaft position sensor again recently, this time with an aftermarket sensor, as I thought the sensor I put in previously may have been defective, but the problem has started occurring more frequently. Losing power while turning into or crossing intersections is a scary thing, and I've begun to feel I cannot drive the car safely. I've read accounts online of many Jeep Compass owners having problems with losing acceleration, and I've begun to suspect that the problem is not simply related to the parts associated with the active codes. The sad thing is that I just finished paying off the loan I took out for this car, and I have little extra money. I don't know what I'm going to do. Please investigate these vehicles (problem affects various Compass model years).

Filed Dec 11, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 160,000 miles · MS

2012 jeep compass engine shuts down while driving on city streets and county roadways. Loss of power and steering control. Engine will crank again after waiting for a few minutes. Check engine light comes on prior to shutting down.

Filed Jun 18, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 130,000 miles · NC

The engine over heats at 60 to 70 MPH and then begin to lose power. The car slows down, the engine light comes on. This has happened 5 times since 2019 while on the highway. Now the transmission is failing because it won't change gears and it makes a whining sound when you try to accelerate. On the city street.

Filed Jul 30, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 120,000 miles · ME

Faulty or defective camshaft/crankshaft sensors shutting down or stalling the vehicle while in operation and motion, without warning. Driving, up to 70mph, in heavy traffic on a busy highway, vehicle engine stalls and results in loss of power steering, power brakes and forward momentum. When this happens, the driver is thrust into a very dangerous (and possibly deadly) position of trying to manually (w/o power) steer and/or brake the vehicle at high rates of speed in fast and dense traffic.

Filed Aug 16, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 106,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 jeep compass. While driving 75 MPH, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and the transmission overheating warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Jan 9, 2018 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · NY

First my check engine light turned on and I started to lose power. I brought the car into a dealership to figure out what was wrong, they said it was a 4th cylinder misfire (this car is a 2012 jeep compass, only 84,000 miles), so they replaced the engine block. They hand me the car back, I had the same problem of no power. Now they are claiming a sensor is failing in the transmission and I will have to replace to tube compartment of the transmission. Not sure the exact sensor they were talking about though.

Filed Feb 3, 2016 · Electrical · 38,500 miles · WV

While driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle lost all power. I wasn't able to use my hazards or anything. I was able to get to the side of the road. After a few minutes, the vehicle could be restarted but ran very rough and had to be towed. The electronic throttle control light was on as well as check engine. Mechanic said none of the codes were the cause, they were all the effect of the power loss. The mechanic found a loose terminal on the oem battery. The battery was replaced and the issue has not recurred.

Filed Jan 8, 2016 · Electrical · 71,000 miles · CA

This has happened a few times now. Was told by dealer they have to be driving it when the problem occurs. Twice now, I lost all electrical power. No lights, no hazards, no power steering. It is like I have no battery at all. Everything is dead. One time I was parked, and lost all power, came back on in a few minutes. The second time, it was dark out. I had just made a turn, aprox 100 feet after, I lost all power again. This time I was in motion, cars behind me, I had absolutely no lights. No hazards. I wasn't even able to make it to the shoulder, it happened so quickly. Luckily it was a turn and vehicles hadn't reached the speed limit yet. Not only could I have been hit, but the other vehicles behind me as well. My car wasn't easily noticable. The car behind me was able to stop in time before rear ending me, and turned their hazards on. The power to my vehicle was back on about two minutes. Periodically the car will also just die, at idle or in traffic at low speeds. It doesn't lose complete power when this happens though. It will start again right away.