2019 Jeep Compass: won't start

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 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Experienced countless "high coolant temp" followed by power loss and engine shutoff, yes—while driving—like everyone else. the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN: PE22013 Search it and read. They investigated it already & ruled it not dangerous enough. It took me spending so much money trying different fixes, then countless hours searching for a solution to finally realize that full investigation case was tucked away years ago. No big deal apparently. The conclusion gets it wrong of course. Part of the ruling claiming no safety risk is based on implying the car starts back right after engine loss and that's simply not true. Twice mine wouldn't start back after the incident, not immediately not within 30 minutes. Only once did it fail, then restart after. I've read through the hundreds of similar complaints and many are stranded after it happens as well. But there's definitely one thing in common EVERYONE'S DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENS. This is a severely dangerous issue, putting peoples lives at risk. This is 100% on the manufacturer to bring to light and shamefully haven't. This started last summer for me and I didn't post about it but seeing brand new report still being added irks me. It didn't happen over the winter. And no it wasn't the alternator, battery, fuses, radiator, or injector.. I (understandably) heard it all and tried it all. Honestly I let it sit for a while and it stopped. The issue is unpredictable and undetectable by mechanics. Not sure what else you need.

Filed Mar 26, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

-Vehicle would not start several times, this occurred just after purchasing, then battery was replaced and it occurred again over the course of 8 months. -A few days ago after getting the jeep to start, the RPM would not go >2 and the speed would not increase >20 MPH. This happened on PA220 with speed limit of 40MPH causing a near-wreck when pulling out onto the road and not being able to accelerate to the flow of oncoming traffic. My 6 year old child was in the vehicle with me. -Yesterday I stopped for gas & turned the engine off, then it would not start up again. Another person used their vehicle to jumpstart the jeep with jumper cables. The dash showed there was a “coolant issue” and to check the engine. The jeep was inspected today and serviced with no issues to the battery, it was not the cause. -Previously on multiple occasions the front screen for the radio would not turn on, has glitched and flickered, would not connect to cords plugged in for carplay, chargers will not charge the phone/connect inconsistently (multiple different chargers, worked in other vehicles/outlets), screen would be black but radio would play and unable to turn off/adjust the volume, screen “buttons” will not work/respond to touch often. I have video of this happening, unable to upload footage to this complaint. Can provide if necessary. -Per the service dept at Tyrone Ford Dealership, the O2 sensor is on along with several other codes regarding this issue. This is a manufacturer’s defect, not a user error. It is a safety concern and is not something the consumer should be held accountable to pay for/fix. This is poor craftsmanship on Jeep’s part and needs resolved on their dime, not a single mother’s.

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Electrical · CA

Vehicle: 2019 Jeep Compass Mileage (approx): 84,000 miles Issue Type: RANDOM - Electrical failure causing loss of power, brake lock, steering disablement Car is currently at an auto electric shop but can be available if needed. Description of Issue: I’ve been experiencing a recurring and dangerous issue with my 2019 Jeep Compass since around 2021. Every 6–8 months (sometimes more frequently), the vehicle suddenly lights up with every warning signal (check engine, brakes, power steering, airbag, traction, ABS, etc.). The brakes lock up, the power steering shuts down, and the car either dies immediately or will not restart for hours or even days. The issue is completely random and happens whether the car is driving or idling. There’s no apparent correlation with temperature, mileage, or usage. It happens when I'm at a red light, parked and my last incident happen the highway with both my boys in the car. (age [XXX] and [XXX] ) I’ve taken the car to the dealership a couple times, including having it towed in when it would not start. However, by the time they inspect it, the car resets itself, and I’m told they “can’t find the problem.” They’ve held it for weeks without results. This issue is not only unpredictable but highly dangerous. Losing steering and braking while on the road creates serious safety risks for myself, my family, and other drivers. From my own research and symptoms, this could be related to the TIPM or BCM malfunctioning — both of which I’ve read are common in Jeep models. Please investigate this issue, as it appears systemic and unresolved through regular service channels. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 25, 2025 · NV

Within a period of three weeks, I received two alarming messages that appeared suddenly on the dashboard, "Pull over now, engine will turn off soon." The first instance happened as I was driving on I-80 East going about 70 mph, while towing a teardrop trailer. Fortunately, there was a rest stop ahead and I was able to pull over safely. After 30-45 minutes, I turned the ignition on, the message wasn't there, so I was able to get back on the interstate and drive home. The second incident happened while I was exiting a parking lot, trying to merge onto the main thoroughfare. Had the car towed to Jeep dealership. Car would not start when tow truck driver was trying to remove car from tow bed. Tow truck driver used a portable battery charger to start engine up. Jeep dealership replaced the secondary battery that is connected to the start/stop feature, but when they test drove it, the car's power turned off again. Apparently, the main battery (which was replaced a month or so before by another company) was not installed properly. When that adjustment was corrected, the car was test driven a second time, and has been running fine. However, yesterday I read that 64,000 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokees are being recalled due to loss of power. It made me question whether the battery issue I experienced is really the culprit of why my engine turned off or if there's something else that I should be aware of.

Filed Jul 14, 2024 · MI

The auto shut off function while stopped has malfunctioned on a couple occasions. One was when stopped at a red light. The car would not start up again when letting off the gas. The vehicle was new to me and I didn't know how to fix the problem. Sitting there, even with hazards on, is dangerous as I could have been rear ended while trying to figure this out. I ended up having to restart the vehicle. I can disable the function, but I believe it is causing starter issues with the vehicle. The vehicle intermittently will not start right away, and finally will after several attempts. All possible problems that could cause the start issue have been tested by mechanics at an auto shop. All of which were eliminated. There are no warning lights that have come on when either of these things happen. The vehicle is available for inspection, if requested.

Filed Jun 11, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · OH

In February I took my car for an oil change. I went out of town and when I returned my car would not start. I replaced my key fob battery and I charged the battery because a jump did not work. Once battery was charged we were able to get my car to turn on. I took the car for battery testing at auto zone and nothing came back. I took the car to the dealership (Jeep Dealer) they said both batteries were original and needed to be replaced. I paid for both to be replaced. A few days later I was driving m, came to a stop light and when the light turned green I went to press the gas the car dashboard glitched and turned completely off I was in the middle of the road. I started the car back up and called the dealer immediately and took it in for service. The dealer said it was a reset that needed to be done and computer update. A few days later my car did the same thing only this time it gave a few messages on the dashboard and I was able to turn it back on. The deal ship kept my car for a couple more days. The did more updates and returned the car. I had no issues for a few weeks with turning off however when I turn the car on it would glitch as if it did not want to start. Also, the start/stop feature stopped working completely. One morning I started my car on my way to take my child to daycare the car glitched again but turned on I drove maybe 500ft and I got a message on the dashboard “stop safely vehicle will turn off soon” I pulled over and turned the car off and back on the message was gone. A month later I got the same message but I kept driving and nothing happened. A week later I drove to drop off my child, the car was off completely and moments later when I returned the car would not start the radio dashboard lights all turned on and I could hear the car trying to start but it did not. AAA came to assist jumping my vehicle and I was able to drive the car to the same dealership. They kept the car for a week and found nothing.

Filed Dec 19, 2023 · Engine · TX

Was driving on the highway and my jeep just cut off and would not start back up, it locked up everything. Had to get it towed to the dealership and they said they have heard of these problems, they tested everything out and said it was possibly the battery, got the battery replaced with a new one, one week later it did the same thing while at a stop light and could not get it to start, towed to dealership and they said they could not figure out the problem, after a while it started back up. This is very unsafe expecially when I have a one yr old child that is in the car with me, how can I feel safe in a car that is going to stop suddenly while driving in traffic or on a highway. Noone seems to know the problem to get this fixed so I can drive my car safely on the roads. Very scary.

Filed Nov 5, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Multiple incidents over the last 5-7 weeks up to and including today 11/05/2023. When walking out and starting my Compass the engine/vehicle initially would not start. When initially pressing the start button all the dashboard lights, gauges and annunciators would illuminate but I would receive a “coolant temperature too hot” message on the dashboard and the car ultimately would not turnover and start but rather just shut down completely. Upon waiting a couple seconds I tried to start it again and this time it would start up just fine all normal without any messages on the dashboard. In other occurrences I’d receive multiple dashboard messages which included the ESS system but after turning off and trying to start again my Compass would not and I’d have to jumpstart the battery In order to successfully start the vehicle. From what I have researched and read on myjeepforums and Reddit it seems that many Compass owners going back to 2019/2020 are currently having or have gone through this same problem ultimately spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on part replacements and dealership visits only to be told that they cannot find the problem or know what may be causing the problem even though they are well aware of these issues. Some complaints have stated that this issue has happened while driving on major expressways or busy roads at random causing them to just come to a complete stop in the middle of traffic on expressways or during turns! I am taking my Compass to the dealership tomorrow morning 11/06/2023 at 7am to make them known of these issues I am having but I’m not holding out any hope. Jeep has not issued any recalls since this problem was brought to late in 2020. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle any longer and I will not spend thousands of dollars on random part replacements when dealerships or outright telling other compass owners that they can’t locate or college the problem. My next step after tomorrow may be to consult a lawyer.

Filed Oct 9, 2023 · Engine · NC

Parked and turned off Jeep went into store and when I came out got in vehicle check engine light came on and it said high coolant temperature but it weren’t hot. Would not start. Flashing all kinds of stuff.

Filed Sep 9, 2023 · Engine · MO

Went out to start my jeep and it flashed coolant temperature high and would not start. Still won’t start. Contacting dealership Monday when they open.

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

I had just got back from a trip where my Jeep Compass ran perfectly fine. I had to go to work the next morning and my Jeep would not start. A warning came on that said "coolant temperature to high" and would not let me start my car. Keep in mind that the car had not even been running to have a high temperature. The engine would not turn over and the power steering locked up. This came without warning and I had no signs that something was about to happen. I have read that this has been occurring since 2021 and I wanted to add to the complaints of how dangerous this could be if my engine would have locked up and shutdown while driving on the highway like others have reported. The battery and auxiliary battery are not even two years old. This issue seems like it needs to be investigated more even though a investigation was opened up in 2022 and it is now 2023 and I have note seen anything from it.