2012 Jeep Compass: loss of power steering

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 Oct 24, 2022 · Fuel system · PA

When driving the vehicle will hesitate then stall after refueling. Happen after almost every refueling case. Believe it is a stuck rollover valve that is allowing gas to enter vent lines and causing the stall. When accelerating the vehicle suddenly dies and there is a complete loss of all systems. No power steering to help get off the side of the road. Often there are no Check Engine Lights or other warnings. Obviously if your engine suddenly dies when accelerating this can cause major safety concerns. I had this happen 3 times while trying to merge onto an interstate. Thankfully I was in the right lane and able to get off to the shoulder and avoid an accident. Have not had a mechanic verify but it is a very common problem with these vehicles and the manufacturer needs to address this.

Filed Aug 7, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 140,000 miles · PA

Car comepletely shut down, and went limp while driving 65 MPH on highway. Car would not go over 10 MPH, power steering failed, and check engine light began flashing.very dangerous as car shuts off without warning at high speeds. Power steering came back on and check engine light was no longer flashing. Had it towed; upon arrival, car turned back on again with no issues or check engine light. Check engine came back on later in the day. This seems to be a recurring issue. Mechanic was unsure if it had something to do with a sensor or crankshaft issue.

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 Oct 28, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 74,880 miles · OH

Upon doing a total fill up our jeep, it is now stalling and I end up with no steering. This does it at least 4/5 times each time we fill fuel tank up. Extremely dangerous as unable to steer and entire engine shuts done. This has done this with my family in the car about a minute after getting fuel, if not less, and turning onto a busy street where jeep stopped running. The vehicle was in motion when this happened, both turning onto busy street and whilst driving on busy street.

Filed Apr 8, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

After I pumped gas into the car, as soon as I exited the gas station and entered on the street the car engine goes off, no power steering, no acceleration. I pull over to the right and put the car on park and restart the car. It was ok. I was hesistant to get on the freeway so I drove to a empty lot to see if it happen again and sure enough as soon as I travel a few yards, the engine goes off again. Scary if it happens in the middle of the freeway with lots of traffic.

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.