Jeep Compass hesitation problems

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Acceleration · 2,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2026 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that after releasing the parking brake and attempting to drive the vehicle, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to immediately respond. The vehicle hesitated before suddenly driving forward. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving forward and while attempting to reverse. During one failure, the vehicle almost struck a pedestrian. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, but the dealer could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding my 2021 Jeep Compass, particularly concerning recurring mechanical, electrical, and safety-related problems that have created serious concerns about the vehicle's reliability and safe operation. The most concerning issue is the vehicle's unexpected stalling at low speeds, particularly associated with the 2.4L engine. Unexpected loss of power while driving at low speeds creates a significant safety concern because it can occur when entering intersections, turning, maneuvering through traffic, or attempting to accelerate from a stopped or slow-moving position. In addition to the stalling issue, I have experienced or am concerned about the following problems: 1. Transmission Problems The vehicle has demonstrated concerning transmission behavior, including: Rough or abnormal shifting Delayed acceleration Delayed engagement Unresponsive or delayed gear changes Hesitation when attempting to accelerate Behavior that may contribute to the vehicle unexpectedly losing power or momentum These symptoms raise concerns regarding the transmission's proper operation and the possibility that transmission performance may be contributing to the vehicle's stalling and delayed acceleration. 2. Electrical System Problems The vehicle has also experienced significant electrical concerns, including: Infotainment screen freezing or becoming unresponsive Battery becoming completely or significantly discharged after sitting overnight Suspected parasitic battery drain Random or unexplained dashboard warning lights Electrical/electronic systems intermittently malfunctioning These issues are particularly concerning because intermittent electrical problems can be difficult to diagnose and may affect other vehicle systems, including safety-related components. 3. Backup Camera and Safety Concerns I am also concerned about failures involving the vehicle's backup camera and safety-related wiring, including poten

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · MD

Vehicle is a safety hazard my jeep compass stalks while driving or sitting in traffic without warning. After sitting at traffic lights jeep stutters and hesitates before going again. My 2022 compass has stalled on me a couple of different times since I have had it. The car is unsafe.

Filed May 14, 2026 · Driver assistance · WA

Adaptive Cruise Control & Phantom Braking: On multiple occasions while traveling at highway speeds (approx. 70 mph), the vehicle has engaged in aggressive "phantom braking." Despite clear road conditions and no vehicles or obstacles in the vehicle's path, the system suddenly slams on the brakes, dropping the speed to 50–55 mph. This creates an immediate risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. The instrument cluster frequently displays service warnings for the FCW, ABS, BLIS and the lane departure systems. Transmission & Powertrain Hesitation: At lower speeds, the transmission exhibits significant hesitation and "sputtering." When attempting to accelerate from a low speed or a stop, the vehicle falters and fails to engage smoothly until significant additional throttle is applied. This erratic power delivery causes the vehicle to lurch, which is particularly dangerous when merging into traffic or turning across lanes, as the vehicle does not respond predictably to driver input. Manufacturer/Dealer Response: I presented these safety concerns to a local Jeep dealership, suggesting a software glitch or sensor malfunction. Despite the vehicle being well within the factory warranty period, the dealership refused to perform diagnostic work or updates under warranty, stating I would be responsible for labor costs because the cause could be "numerous things."

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Transmission · NY

The contact owns a 2024 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it remained for approximately one month; however, the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. The dealer requested that the contact drive with a mechanic to pinpoint the failure experienced with the vehicle. The mechanic requested to drive the vehicle on the parkway, but the contact declined. The contact returned the rental vehicle and drove the vehicle back to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · 118,000 miles · WI · fire

The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed black smoke coming from the front passenger side headlight. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate as needed. The contact pulled over and safely exited the vehicle with her daughter. The vehicle then caught fire and was engulfed in flames. The firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire, but they were unable to determine the cause of the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Electrical · IL

My car has the start/stop when it turns off when your idle, well sometimes when you release the brake to go it will hesitate to turn back on and or even not start again at all and you have to fully turn the car off and back on.

Filed Oct 6, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NC

The screen on the dash has quit working and the backup camera does not work this started when we got snow, thought once weather warmed up things it would work tried the reset button to no avail. Hesitated about buying another jeep now I wish I hadn’t nothing but trouble

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · 29,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that there was a loud banging sound coming from the rear undercarriage while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a red light the START/STOP system activated, causing the vehicle to turn off; however, while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle occasionally jumped or hesitated before restarting and accelerating as designed. The air bag and START/STOP warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that the main control board computer screen was glitching and went completely black. The contact stated that the radio suddenly activated, and the windshield wipers were randomly activated even though the vehicle was turned off. There were several other electrical malfunctions, and the vehicle intermittently failed to start immediately. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who acknowledged there was an electrical failure but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The radio was replaced four times, an electrical harness was replaced, and there was a battery replacement; however, the vehicle was not fixed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2024 · Transmission · NY

Major down shifting hesitation when slowing down and then trying to accelerate. Very noticeable and dangerous when slowing down and turning. The hesitation is also noticeable when starting to go up an incline and trying to accelerate. In cruise control there is a delay when going up an incline the set speed will go down 3 MPH before shifting hard. Transmission also when shifting from forward to reverse or reverse to forward will engage then pop out of gear for a few seconds then engage again. During normal operation there is no popping out of gear. The dealer has applied three software updates with no improvement to the shifting problems.