2020 Jeep Compass: start-stop system problems

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Engine · NC

My vehicle’s engine has shut off completely in the middle of the road TWICE, both on busy highways. The first time, I was turning left and the engine shut off as I was turning into oncoming traffic and was stuck in the middle of two lanes. Second time, I was stopped at a red light and the engine shut off again. Once the car is turned off and back on, the light for the Auto Stop/Start came on and said to service the Stop/Start feature. The first incident, I had the car brand new for maybe a week. The second incident just happened last week.

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 97,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the 4WD engaged and disengaged while driving down the road. The contact stated that the brakes locked up while 35 MPH. Additionally, the computer became inoperable. The contact stated that the battery was replaced, but the vehicle failed to charge. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The Service 4WD message was displayed and the Auto START/STOP feature was inoperable. During inclement weather of snow or rain, the 4WD failure was more prevalent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2025 · Electrical · OK

Auto start stop unavailable service Auto start /stop system shows up. It has killed 1 main battery and 2 auxiliary batteries but there is no stored messages so dealership can not figure out the problem.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Electrical · VA

Two recurring issues that happen at the same time. The auto stop/start feature stops working. Error message "Stop/Start Unavailable Service Stop/Start System" is displayed. If this were to happen at a traffic light, the failure to restart the vehicle could cause accidents. At the same time, the door locks become inoperative in one of several ways. They may not unlock by using the in-car button on the door. At the same time, using the key fob may or may not unlock the door. If you are outside of the vehicle, the key fob may not unlock the doors. If you are in the car when it happens, you may be trapped. That is an obvious safety issue. If you are trying to lock or unlock, using the key fob, from outside the car and the door locks are not responding, your safety can be compromised by not being able to enter the car in a dangerous situation. These issues have been confirmed and reproduced by a Jeep dealer on three different occasions in less than two months. They have replaced both car batteries. The door lock assembly has been replaced three times. The Body Control Module has been replaced three times. The latest failure was on 2/2/2025.

Filed Nov 22, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · WV

Car had high coolant temperature warning come up on dash and car went into limp mode but then just cleared and continued to drive fine. Recently had auxiliary battery replaced due to auto start/stop not working.

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

Coolant mixing with oil three times in a month span with new parts being replaced. With further inspection, driver was not at fault. Vehicle malfunctioned. Overheating after replacement of thermostat, head gasket, and water pump. Auto start/stop goes on and off requesting service.

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 34,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while at the traffic light, the auto Stop-Start feature turned off the engine; however, the engine failed to restart. The message "Stop-Start Unavailable" was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and manually disengaged the auto Stop-Start feature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The message "Coolant Overheating" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start the following day. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the two batteries needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · IL

The A symbol continues to appear on the dashboard which indicates a failure in the STOP/START function of the vehicle. the vehicle has under 21,000 miles on it. I just purchased the vehicle a little over 90 days ago. Returned the vehicle to the service center where vehicle was purchased, and was told that it required an out of pocket expense of over $600.00 . The auto-light button switches back to manual on its own.

Filed May 8, 2023 · MI

Prior to this incident below I started my vehicle up and it started up fine. Suddenly I couldn’t move my vehicle out of the parking spot. I tried to turn the vehicle off and it wouldn’t turn off at all. So I was just sitting trying to figure out what to do. I suddenly click the stop start button without pressing the breaks and it turned my vehicle off. The next day I took my vehicle to a Jeep dealership service and they turned me away because the symbol that pop up on the dashboard during the incident was a capital letter “A” with an arrow encompassing it and an exclamation mark to the right disappeared off the dashboard at the time because i restarted my Jeep. Now today as in May 7, 2023, I was leaving the mall to go home. I was stopped at a red light waiting for it to turn green. The type of road had three lanes and I was in the middle lane. When the light finally turned green I went to press on the gas and notice the car wouldn’t move at all almost like the vehicle suddenly shut down. It showed that the vehicle was still on but it wouldn’t move. The symbol that pop up on the dashboard was a capital letter “A” with an arrow encompassing it and an exclamation mark to the right saying stop start sensor. The stop start button when not turn off the vehicle to restart it. I started freaking out because cars was on all side of me. I was scared that I was going to get hit from behind by another vehicle. I continued to try to press the button eventually my Jeep started up again and I got out of the way of the traffic. The main problem is that there is something wrong with the stop start system.

Filed May 3, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MO

Unknown as to exact issue. In August 2021, spark plug blew (according to dealer) in the middle of an intersection after the auto “off” and the engine would not turn back on at approximately 8K miles. The spark plug was replaced under warranty. Starting in April 2023, around 31K miles, on two separate occasions after the auto start/stop is in use. It will turn off unexpectedly and without warning after the vehicle has come to a stop. Both times the vehicle could not be turned completely off and restarted for at least one minute. No messages appear on screen. Both issues appear to be related to the Stop/Start feature. Two different dealers have not been able to identify issue.

Filed Mar 30, 2023 · MS

Auto start/stop kicked it at a stop sign and I could not restart the vehicle.

Filed Feb 1, 2023 · Electrical · AL

This vehicle has a stop/start function to shut off when the vehicle stops and then cut back on when you press the gas. Approximately 2 weeks ago my vehicle started stalling out whenever it stops and you have to put it in park and restart the car. Sometimes it starts back up, sometimes it takes a few minutes. This is EVERY time it stops—- red lights, stop signs, intersections and poses a hazard.