2020 Jeep Compass: check engine light

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

I drove myself and my passenger to our destination without issue. After the vehicle was parked for approximately three hours, I started it and drove toward the exit lane leading to the main road. I stopped completely before exiting and was traveling approximately 10 mph as I crossed toward the leftmost turning lane. Suddenly, the dashboard displayed a “High Coolant Temperature” warning, the check engine light illuminated, and the accelerator pedal became resistant/unresponsive. The vehicle slowed to a stop and the engine completely shut off. Without me shifting the transmission out of Drive or selecting Reverse, the vehicle then began rolling backward on its own. The road was not inclined or sloped. The brake pedal and steering wheel became extremely hard to operate. I had no choice but to allow the vehicle to roll backward into the exit lane. I was extremely concerned that it could cause a collision or strike a pedestrian or building, seriously injuring myself, my passenger, or others. The vehicle eventually stopped, but it was left partially in the exit lane and partially in the main roadway. I was in the right-turn lane, and approaching traffic could not easily see my hazard lights due to the vehicle’s position. I exited the vehicle and opened the hood to signal that the vehicle was disabled. I attempted to shift into Neutral so the vehicle could be moved out of the roadway, but the emergency brake switch would not disengage. The only warning displayed before the incident was “Oil Change Required,” which had appeared approximately three weeks earlier. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. I have previously had similar breakdowns, and each time I was told the auxiliary battery had failed. After this incident, the dealership again stated that the auxiliary battery was the cause. I am skeptical that this adequately explains the vehicle rolling backward while still in Drive. I am reporting this incident so the underlying cause can be investigated.

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

At approximately 35,900 miles, vehicle failed a block test indicating combustion gases in the cooling system. Cylinder head gasket was replaced, cylinder head was machined, and exhaust valves were replaced at an independent shop at a cost of over $5,000. Shortly after, at approximately 36,300 miles, vehicle was towed in with sudden loss of power and would not accelerate. Diagnostic codes P1064 (cylinder 4 oil supply solenoid stuck), P0171 (fuel system lean), and P0304 (cylinder misfire) were found. The MultiAir/VVT actuator was confirmed to have an internal failure. Both the independent shop and a Jeep dealership parts department confirmed the component was on indefinite national backorder due to high demand caused by widespread failures of this part. At approximately 37,500 miles, vehicle failed a second block test. The cylinder head was found warped again and required a second full replacement along with motor mount replacement. The vehicle has had its cylinder head replaced twice in under seven months. Total out-of-pocket repair costs exceed $8,000. The sudden loss of power while driving created an unsafe condition. The failure has been confirmed and documented by both an independent repair facility and an authorized Jeep dealership. Check engine light was present prior to each failure event.

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Electrical · PA

My engine light kept on coming on esc failure I replaced the aux battery then reg battery then alternator went bad then the u connect is not working at all it will not load the maps on the screen it’s doesn’t recognize my phone I bought this jeep brand new

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Engine · MD · fire

On December 9th, my Jeep compass caught fire in Tyson’s corner parking lot (1750 Tysons BLVD). The fire department believes it came from the engine. No warning signs such as engine lights or temperature overheating prior. The car was parked in a spot when this occurred. My daughter was in the car and smelled smoke, car was turned off, got out and it was smoking and sparking then caught fire. 911 was called during this process and came to the scene. The insurance is aware and deemed it total loss. The police and fire department have records we are trying to obtain. The fire spread to other cars.

Filed Jun 5, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · PA

My car shut off and wouldn’t start it said the asc failed I took it to the dealership they did a diagnostic test said my aux battery level was low need replaced I replaced that my engine light is still on I have to put it on a battery charger everyday so I can go to work then it wouldn’t start at work I needed someone to give me a jump it’s stills said I needed mine esc service and it saying my temperature is too high it only has 58.884 miles on it I wish I never got this jeep I bought it brand new and I had to replace both front tire rod ends I’m beyond upset it also said my car was not in park when it was it wouldnt start I overrided the gear shift but it still wouldn’t start

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MO

I had to get my engine replaced a year after I got it. The vehicle has an overheating issue. The vehicle oil pressure sensor goes off. The emergency break comes on. I don’t know where the engine light flashes the EI had to get my engine replaced a year after I got it. The vehicle has a overheating issue. The vehicle oil pressure sensor goes off. The emergency brake comes on. I don’t know where the engine light flashes the ECS light come on the cooling and oil mix together out of nowhere

Filed Jan 15, 2025 · Engine · PA

The engine is shutting down in the middle of Driving. While driving and happening at random the vehicle will have a message populate stating coolant temp high. the engine will turn off and turn back on if the vehicle is being driven. IF the vehicle is stopped and this happens the vehicle will shut down with same message car needs to be put in park from the drive mode and restarted. This has happened countless times and Jeep cannot fix the issue nor replicate as it happens randomly. This is a safety concern as it has happened on the highway and just stopped at time while driving. At the same time of this happening the check engine light comes on as well. The car has been to separate dealerships with neither of them being able to replicate the issue.

Filed Aug 22, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · UT

This issue has been happening sporadically over the last couple of years, but it's starting to happen more often. When driving normally, the check engine light will flash, a message "Coolant temp too high" will appear in red, and the car turns off. Sometimes it will turn back on immediately and drive fine, other times I have to leave it turned off for up to 2 minutes. This happened to me twice on my drive to drop off my kid at school, and on my way to the office, on a busy highway during traffic. All maintenance has been done on time, and there are no error codes when I get it scanned. I get met with shrugs and "could try ..." I see others have been having similar issues, so I am going to post here as well.

Filed May 11, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NY

We drove to the grocery store 5 minutes away. After being in the store for about 15 minutes we returned to go home. We tried starting the car and it wouldn’t start, message “High coolant temperature” came on with orange engine light. We waited 5 minutes, started again and all the warning lights flashed and the car locked up. Nothing would engage, even the brakes. We had to abandon the car in the lot and walk home.

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 Aug 27, 2023 · Electrical · OK

Vehicle states coolant high and check engine light comes on and care will not start.

Filed Aug 26, 2023 · MN

I was at a stop light and car just went dead. Before going dead a warning of “High Coolant Temperature” popped up and engine light came on and it went dead. Car would not start again and was towed to dealership. I’ve seen that their are lawsuits out there on this and no fix so I am not confident in dealership finding issue