Jeep Compass overheating problems

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · Engine · FL

On October 30, 2026, my 2021 Jeep Compass Limited, with approximately 67,000 miles, unexpectedly became inoperable despite operating normally the previous day. When attempting to start the vehicle, the dashboard displayed a “Coolant Temperature High” warning accompanied by a flashing check-engine light. The engine made clicking noises but failed to start, while the radio and other electrical components remained functional. The temperature gauge remained at its lowest reading, and there were no visible signs of overheating, smoke, or unusual odors. The battery and alternator were tested and found to be functioning properly, and diagnostic trouble code U0402 was identified. I am concerned because the federal safety agency previously investigated similar coolant temperature warnings, engine shutdowns, and failure-to-restart incidents involving 2019–2020 Jeep Compass vehicles under investigation PE22-013. Although my vehicle is a 2021 model, it is exhibiting similar symptoms, raising concerns about a potential recurring safety-related defect. An unexpected loss of engine power while driving could create a serious collision risk. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether the 2021 Jeep Compass is affected by a similar defect and determine whether a safety recall or manufacturer corrective action is warranted.

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 100,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. While driving for 5–10 minutes at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated, and a "Pressure Overheating" message was displayed. The Automatic Emergency Braking feature activated. The contact called roadside assistance and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the valve cover gasket, spark plug, and battery. The failure persisted. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic, who checked the cooling system, performed a coolant test, and completed an oil change. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was towed back to the mechanic, who flushed the coolant and replaced the coolant hose, radiator hose, and coolant reservoir tank. The failure continued with a collapsed radiator hose. The contact had a friend purchase a main radiator hose for replacement. The vehicle was taken to a third independent mechanic; however, no diagnostic trouble code was retrieved, and the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact was informed that the engine and transmission might need to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Vehicle 2018 Jeep compass, 2.4 l tiger shark multi-air space safety defect summary, my vehicle is experiencing a severe recurring safety hazard causing unexpected vehicle stall and loss of power while driving at high speeds on the highway while operating normally the vehicle abruptly jerks and immediately forces itself into neutral or defensive lip mode leaving me unable to accelerate and placing me in immediate danger of a high-speed collision concurrently the dashboard displays severe failure messages including service electronic throttle control and service transmission the vehicle is also suffering from the documented 2.4 l tiger shark excessive oil consumption defect burning oil at a rapid pace and shutting down without a low oil warning indicator light additionally the coolant levels behave erratically causing the vehicle to falsely signal overheating and the vehicle has previously dropped six active safety recalls from its public then history without the mechanical defects actually being repaired the manufacturers temporary software patches have failed to resolve the structural engine and powertrain failures. I have also going to attach a screenshot of the six open recalls I found with my specific Vin number from the Kelley Blue Book website last July in 2025. And now searching my VIN number there’s no open recalls and this is very concerning. This has became a huge safety issue with me and I’ve tried reaching out to y’all before and y’all still have not tried to reach out to me, I’m taking it to the dealership this week.

Filed Sep 6, 2026 · Engine · TX

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2021 Jeep Compass Limited due to repeated coolant loss, overheating/high-temperature warnings, and eventual engine failure. The vehicle began losing coolant and required frequent refilling. The problem progressively worsened until coolant would immediately leak out underneath the vehicle when added. I paid approximately $1,400 to have the radiator replaced, but the same problem returned approximately two weeks later. The vehicle subsequently developed additional problems including shaking, a check-engine light, Cylinder 1 misfire, and diagnostic code P0117 related to the coolant temperature sensor/circuit. The vehicle also displayed a warning that the oil temperature was too high and the engine needed to cool down. The vehicle eventually became undrivable, and I believe the engine may have locked up. The progression from severe coolant loss and overheating to misfire, high-temperature warnings, and possible catastrophic engine failure is concerning. This vehicle is used to transport my children, including daily school transportation. I am concerned that a sudden loss of coolant, overheating, loss of power, or engine failure while driving could create a serious safety hazard. The radiator replacement did not resolve the underlying problem, which makes me concerned there may be a larger defect involving the cooling system, temperature control, or related engine components. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether similar coolant-loss, overheating, temperature-warning, and engine-failure problems are occurring in 2021 Jeep Compass vehicles and whether a safety defect may exist.

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 Aug 10, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI

My odometer flashes since buying. Bluetooth connection causing screen to glitch and jump between settings. Screen turns blue and back up camera doesn’t work randomly. Overheating issue came out of nowhere. No check engine lights. The jerking is a hazard while driving. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by multiple shops. All these issues have been hazardous to me and my family.

Filed May 23, 2026 · Driver assistance · CO

The adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning turns off randomly and the warning lights come on saying they are not working and to take it to the dealership. This has happened around 8 to 10 times. The first being under 1000 miles. I took it to the dealership then and they said nothing was wrong and I need to keep the sensors clean. It makes no difference if the car is just washed or dirty. I’ll be driving on a city street or highway and all of a sudden the warning lights are on. Sometimes they go off by themselves. Sometimes after I turn off the car they are on but when restarted they are off. Finally tonight about 5:45 on the highway multiple warning lights went on. Engine, all safety warnings, transmission warning, overheating warning. I pull over and all the transmission fluid began to pour out onto the highway. I had to pay 178.00 and wait on the shoulder of a two lane highway for about an hour and a half before the tow truck arrived. I had it left at the dealership and had to pay 80.00 to get a Lyft to my house an hour and 25 minutes away. I will find out tomorrow about the transmission failing but they won’t do anything about the other safety systems going off at random.

Filed Feb 22, 2026 · Engine · WA

2019 jeep compass, 65k miles Car started having misfires while accelerating and decreasing speeds.It stayed pretty consistent at all speeds! Shortly after the car overheated and stated coolant temperature too high. Had it diagnosed and it was confirmed oil is mixing in with the coolant meaning blown head gasket and more than likely engine rebuild/new engine. All regular maintenance has ALWAYS been done. It is absolutely unacceptable that so many people are reporting this same exact issue and nothing is being done. Every other comment is someone stranded or the vehicle has shut off while driving, for the ones whose engine hasn’t failed they are on the verge of doing so. The investigation into this needs to be reopened, how is this not a major safety concern with an obvious engine defect. Is it gonna take several bad accidents, or worse a death ? This needs to be addressed immediately.

Filed Jan 4, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

Multiple times now at random, car will go from normal temp to overheating on the gauge for a moment. Shuts down in doing so regardless of being driven. Then will instantly think its cooling back down to normal. When it reaches normal it resumes normal driving abilities. While the temp is going up and down on the gauge the center of the cluster tells you "high coolant temperature". No codes or pending codes can be found. Thermostat housing and sensor have been replaced and still occurring at random. Researching online forms, lots of complaints of same issues with no resolve, spending thousands of dollars and trips to dealers and shops to not be resolved. This is a huge safety hazard as you can not move out of the way of others when it happens and occurs both when driving and stopped situations.

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.