2019 Jeep Compass: start-stop system problems

Filed Oct 24, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · OH

I am reporting ongoing safety concerns involving my 2019 Jeep Compass Trailhawk, including unexpected engine shutdowns, repeated battery failures, electrical malfunctions, and recurring check engine warnings despite regular maintenance and multiple repairs. In 2023, the vehicle’s automatic start-stop system malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to shut down completely while I was traveling on the expressway. This created an extremely dangerous situation. The vehicle was towed for inspection, but no problem was identified. After being jump-started, the vehicle operated normally. In September 2024, both the main battery and auxiliary battery were replaced. However, the vehicle continued shutting down and requiring jump-starts. I subsequently took it to the dealership, where wiring connected to the battery system was replaced. The vehicle operated normally for several months following this repair. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have also experienced intermittent electrical malfunctions involving the radio and infotainment system. The radio unexpectedly shorts out, and the display screen goes completely black before eventually restoring itself. Additionally, during each of my last four routine oil changes, the vehicle has died or failed to restart, requiring a jump-start. Approximately one to two weeks after these maintenance visits, the check engine light illuminates. The vehicle has consistently received regular maintenance, yet these problems continue despite battery replacements and dealership repairs. My greatest concern is the possibility of another unexpected engine shutdown while driving, particularly at highway speeds. The 2023 expressway incident placed my safety and the safety of other motorists at risk. I am requesting an investigation into potential defects involving the automatic start-stop system, electrical system, battery management system, and related components. I am also requesting a review of similar complaints, recalls, and manufacturer servic

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Electrical, Visibility · MA

The central Uconnect infotainment display completely failed, went black, and is entirely inoperable. Because the screen is dead, the rear backup camera fails to display an image when the vehicle is shifted into Reverse. This creates a severe safety hazard, drastically reduces rearward visibility, and places the vehicle in direct violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111 (FMVSS 111) regarding mandated rear visibility.Furthermore, this total hardware failure completely locks out access to all internal vehicle safety, climate, and driving settings that are exclusively controlled via the touchscreen. The system failed prematurely roughly one year after purchase under normal operating conditions. This issue mirrors the symptoms of major backup camera recalls issued by Stellantis for newer model years, but my 2019 VIN is currently excluded. The manufacturer has quoted over $2,000 to repair this known component defect, which consumer data shows is linked to inadequate internal thermal management and overheating design flaws. I am filing this report to urge the federal safety agency to investigate and mandate an expansion of the backup camera recall to include vulnerable 2019 vehicle batches. The Uconnect screen failure occurred simultaneously with a total loss of the Engine Stop/Start (ESS) system and a complete loss of illumination on the electronic gear shifter assembly, indicating a critical cascading failure within the vehicle's low-voltage electrical distribution network

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

While driving through a tunnel in Boston, MA, the vehicle shut off completely without warning and could not be restarted. The dashboard displayed multiple warning lights and the engine would not crank (clicking sound only). I was stranded inside an active tunnel in live traffic, requiring a Massachusetts State Police response and a tow. The dealer diagnosed a shorted starter, and during the same repair found the radiator leaking from its lower corner seam with no coolant remaining in the system (dealer repair order 316800, at 66,453 miles). An independent repair shop had documented dried coolant residue under the radiator three months earlier at 63,656 miles, indicating the leak had been developing. This vehicle also has a history of auxiliary battery failures affecting the stop/start system: the auxiliary battery failed at 22,517 miles and was replaced under warranty, and failed again at 58,094 miles. A sudden engine shutdown in a tunnel with no ability to restart is a serious safety hazard, and I am filing this complaint to document the failure. Repair invoices are available and can be uploaded.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Electrical · TX

The auto start/stop feature will fail at random when I come to a stop. My vehicle will shut off and the parking brake will turn on, leading to delays in traffic and unsafe traffic situations. I have had my battery replaced, so this has occured with new batteries and nothing wrong with my car.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Engine · NJ

I was driving home from work and stopped at the stoplight. When the light turned green, I tried to accelerate and the engine stalled. The service engine, electronic throttle control and the stop/start system warning lights all came on. I waited a few minutes and restarted the engine.

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Stopped at stoplight. Engine start/stop was selected on and stopped engine per usual. Released brake and engine didn’t restart leaving vehicle un-powered in traffic. Shifted to park. Let vehicle recycle on/off power a few times. Engine was able to be restarted several minutes later. This happened before ~1 year ago and dealer replaced aux battery and torque sensors but couldn’t replicate failure and never disclosed any actual fault found.

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · 80,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while idling at a red traffic light, the Auto START/STOP system engaged, causing the parking brake to erroneously engage. The contact released the brake pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact restarted the vehicle for the vehicle to respond as needed. The Auto START/STOP warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated while at a green traffic light, the parking brake unexpectedly engaged, and the vehicle failed to move. The contact restarted the vehicle, depressed the brake pedal, and released the parking brake. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Nov 10, 2024 · Electrical · PA

I came to a stop for a red light at a hazardous intersection, and waited for the green arrow for my left turn. When the green arrow came I attempted to accelerate but the brakes locked and subsequently the vehicle began drifting into oncoming traffic. I lost power steering. I managed to stop it after getting out of the intersection by throwing the gear into park. The parking brake seemed to have been engaged by the stop/start system. Subsequent research on this issue revealed this is a recurring issue and especially with 2019 Compass, and people have experienced the stop start stalling their cars in highway traffic at speeds of 65 m.p.h. Obviously, this is a severe life threatening defect. Because this happened on a weekend, the mechanics have not yet evaluated the vehicle. Please have Jeep held accountable.

Filed Oct 19, 2024 · Engine · FL

Stop/start stalling and shutting down at intersection. When lifting foot off the brake, vehicle may start up again just briefly but then stalls out. The vehicle has been stuck in traffic, at high risk for an accident. I have been successful in restarting the vehicle thus far to resume driving. Behavior can occur multiple times a day or once a week but it has been present for >2 yrs. Problem has been reported and inspected by local dealership but, per the dealership, unable to replicate on demand. Solution provided has been to replace both batteries but remedy is short lived. Dashboard error: Auto Stop/Start Not Ready/Unavailable . This error appears after the engine stop/start stalls and engine shutdown but goes away when car is restarted

Filed Aug 25, 2024 · Electrical · NY

The vehicle intermittently has issues starting .. if the automatic start/Stop isn’t disengaged you get stuck at stop signs/ stop lights . I have repaired everything I can think of when it comes to this issue . I turned to the internet for more ideas/ootions … turns out there is sooooooo many more jeeps especially the compass that have the same issue … how can this not have a recall … my kid who is only 16 and just got his license almost got rear ended at an intersection because the car shut off and wouldn’t start … he had to wait over 10 minutes before it started again so he could move the car .. it has been to the garage many times and not one can pin point what the issue is .. I just get told it’s a jeep thing ! I’m afraid to shut my car off when I stop at the store or bank … if I know I’m going to be somewhere for a while I have to ask for a ride because I don’t know if my car will start … i have to try to start my car way before I need to , to give it time to “Reset” then it will start …

Filed Feb 19, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · WA

The gear selection lights near the gear shift go on and off for no apparent reason. I can not see which gear I am in at night. I am afraid that this is indicative of a more serious electrical problem. I am still under warranty because I purchased Added Care Plus from directly from Jeep that covers me through the end of December 2024. I took the vehicle to Jeep Dealer CH Urness Motors in The Dalles, Oregon. The owner and service manager told me that my car "Is not broken enough" for them to repair. The owner, Tim Urness, stated that they only repair items with warning lights and that they do not honor the Added Care Plus warranties sold by Jeep dealers unless they've sold it. Additionally, my auto stop start battery is malfunctioning, and the engine is making a strange noise. Stellans Jeep Cares is not responding to my calls concerning the warranty or getting the car towed to a different dealer for service. I live in a rural area, so I will need to travel 200 miles round trip to have my car serviced and I have been advised that I will need to make the trip at least twice to have the car first diagnosed, then serviced. I know that the federal safety agency does not normally handle these sorts of problems, but it is a safety issue, also I would like direction on where to report the dealership and Stellantis for not making necessary safety repairs covered under warranty. I had a previous issue with the same car's seatbelt webbing and had to fight to get the repair made. Thank you

Filed Dec 26, 2023 · Engine · IL

Car jerks/bucks violently when accelerating, to the point of being unable to control steering and slamming me into steering wheel. This has happened numerous, numerous times. Was towed to dealership, who claimed it was a loose battery cable, charged me, and said it was good to go. The very same day I picked it up, it continues to do this, every time I drive it. It also will die completely and not restart when in park idling. This has happened at least 20x, which was also attributed to the loose cable. However it continues to do the exact same thing as before the dealership "fixed" it. I drive in the middle of nowhere, 40 miles to work in the early morning hours, making this especially unsafe as I have been stranded on a country road alone several times, which is highly unsafe as a female. I cannot continue to drive this as it is right now as I dont know when it may just stop running or not start, or start bucking violently causing me to crash or become injured. I do have videos of this happening several times over the course of less than two hours. There has also been a couple warning lights that have come on randomly (Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light, Electronic Stability Control Active Warning Light, Service Stop/Start Warning Light) and a message (Dynamic Steering Torque). I just bought this used from a dealership July 25, 2023. It is only December 26, 2023. I dont feel safe driving this vehicle and have given the dealership an opportunity to address and fix whatever may be causing it, to no avail. I do not wish to keep this vehicle, nor do I feel safe trusting in the dealership to make it a safe vehicle for me to continue to drive.