Jeep Compass power steering loss problems

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · VT

Within the first month of ownership I began hearing a noise from the right front of the vehicle consistent with a brake or suspension issue. I reported this to the selling dealer repeatedly during that first month; it was not resolved. The noise continued and worsened over the following year, eventually also affecting the right rear. At approximately 20,000 miles, an independent licensed inspection mechanic found that the right front inner tie rod required replacement due to significant wear, and the right rear wheel bearing also required replacement. The vehicle failed state safety inspection as a result of these findings. The mechanic noted the repair scope required disassembly of the steering column, indicating a defect beyond routine wear for the vehicle's age/mileage. Given that these are safety-critical steering and wheel components, the vehicle has been taken off the road entirely pending repair, out of concern that continued driving could result in loss of steering control. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. A written statement from the inspecting mechanic documenting these findings is available.

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Continuously stalls out regardless of speed it has stalled on the highway, in the middle of intersections losing power steering. sometimes restarts right away, sometimes not. leaving me stranded in in the middle of highway/intersections sometimes in very dangerous places. It has had a recall repaired in 2017 before I owned the vehicle however it has had the exact same issues as the recall since I’ve bought it. I’ve spent the past few years trying to look up recalls and communicate with the dealership with zero luck at all. I’ve been told time and time again that it has already been repaired and the 2 years warranty is has expired since. (expired before I even bought the car) Yet the car clearly has has not been properly fixed for the same issues to keep happening. Because lack of help to resolve this issue I have paid out of pocket to have these issues repaired. However again the same issues keep happening leaving me and my family in very dangerous positions time and time again at the mercy of other drivers paying attention. What am I to do? I Cannot afford to keep replacing something that isn’t fixing the problem and leaving us in dangerous positions. Check engine light comes on after the car stalls but goes away after a little bit of driving.

Filed Jun 8, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

I have had problems with a hitch or pause in the acceleration of my 2012 Jeep Compass since at least April of last year. I purchased the vehicle used in January 2021. In and of itself, the hitch would be a minor thing, but I think it's related to other problems I'm having with the vehicle losing acceleration, which has become a real point of concern. This has occurred multiple times when I start accelerating from a stop, such as when I'm at an intersection. The car loses acceleration, the traction control light sometimes will come on, the steering will tighten up like I've lost power steering, and the car will come to a halt and stop idling. Nothing happens when I give it gas after it's stopped in these circumstances. I learned that if I turn the car off and back on, that will serve as a sort of reset, and I regain power and can get back on the road. The car has had active codes for a catalytic converter and a crankshaft position sensor. I replaced the crankshaft position sensor in April of last year (with an OEM sensor) after losing power while merging onto an interstate. That seemed to resolve the loss of acceleration problem, but it recurred starting in December of last year. I replaced the crankshaft position sensor again recently, this time with an aftermarket sensor, as I thought the sensor I put in previously may have been defective, but the problem has started occurring more frequently. Losing power while turning into or crossing intersections is a scary thing, and I've begun to feel I cannot drive the car safely. I've read accounts online of many Jeep Compass owners having problems with losing acceleration, and I've begun to suspect that the problem is not simply related to the parts associated with the active codes. The sad thing is that I just finished paying off the loan I took out for this car, and I have little extra money. I don't know what I'm going to do. Please investigate these vehicles (problem affects various Compass model years).

Filed May 21, 2025 · Electrical · NC

The car's dashboard will periodically show all the lights and indicate that the car will stop. In some cases, the car does stop, and you lose power steering. When we brought it into the dealership in early April 2024, they cleared the codes and indicated that start/stop relay may need to be replaced. A few weeks later, the same thing happened and the dealership repaired the start/stop relay. Since then, the lights will periodically come on and turning it off eventually clears the codes. May 18, 2025, it happened again. On the radio, it showed P2AF5. We brought it to the dealership and while there were 30-40 codes that were showing (some active and some stored), the P2AF5 code didn't display. The dealership cleared all the codes in hopes that it would only turn on the code that caused all the other codes. No new codes displayed. They offered no further diagnostic suggestions and said to bring it back if it occurs again. Because losing power steering while driving is a safety hazard and because a lot of people on various sites indicate they have similar problems due to the start/stop relay, I want to report this issue in hopes that you can find a pattern and determine a fix.

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 Dec 4, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

My [XXX] mother (JEEP enthusiast) bought a 2025 JEEP Compass. One week after she bought it the RPM light started flashing. The dealer stated the main computer (electrical system) completely failed. There is no stability in the car. There's no braking system, no power steering, no cruise control, no nothing, the seat moves without her adjusting it, the automatic dimmer switch turns on without user intervention - the JEEP is a complete lemon. It is UNSAFE to drive. It's like an octopus without a head. They said they'd buy it back from her for $14,000 LESS than she paid - a week ago. The part is on back order. She recently moved interstate and is forced to between states - 5 hours each way. I am beyond livid. She's been a lifelong JEEP owner who has been treated horribly by this company. What is the recourse??? She bought it [XXX] and has 4,000 miles on it. What can we do? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 3, 2024 · Engine · 102,000 miles · CA

The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. While the contact’s daughter was driving at various speeds, the RPM started fluctuating, the vehicle stalled, and lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's daughter was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact's daughter was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while her daughter was driving 65 MPH at night, the failure recurred. The vehicle was restarted after 15 minutes, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MI

Systematic electronic issues culminating in electronic failures while driving on highway including successive “shut-down” of electrical systems, all codes displayed including but not limited to the following: -Forward Collision -Services Transmission -Service Engine -Service Alternator -Service EMS System Disruption to electrical functions including loss of power steering, acceleration, and brake system “locking” up. Tow service and repairs, required.

Filed Nov 10, 2024 · Electrical · PA

I came to a stop for a red light at a hazardous intersection, and waited for the green arrow for my left turn. When the green arrow came I attempted to accelerate but the brakes locked and subsequently the vehicle began drifting into oncoming traffic. I lost power steering. I managed to stop it after getting out of the intersection by throwing the gear into park. The parking brake seemed to have been engaged by the stop/start system. Subsequent research on this issue revealed this is a recurring issue and especially with 2019 Compass, and people have experienced the stop start stalling their cars in highway traffic at speeds of 65 m.p.h. Obviously, this is a severe life threatening defect. Because this happened on a weekend, the mechanics have not yet evaluated the vehicle. Please have Jeep held accountable.

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Steering · FL

The steering gear has failed and is making a popping noise every time you steer to the left or right. The steering gear has been recalled for certain models but not all, my car has the exact same issue but its not listed on the recall. This problem could lead to loss of steering and a crash per the Safety Recall V99/the federal safety agency 19V‑637. The car has been inspected by a Jeep dealer and they confirmed the steering gear is the problem. The symptoms have been present for at least a year, and has been getting worse. I am concerned for my safety and I do not have to means to pay for this repair.