Jeep Compass won't start problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OR

Jeep compass is notorious for electrical issues. Randomly jolts because of the turbo. Randomly pops up electrical issues when there are no electrical issues. On the date of October 26 the car was flashing signals and lights that correlated to nothing going on with the car and locked both its brakes and gas. Thankfully, I was not on the road yet because the car would not start. The car control system aswell jolts the car during unnecessary times.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

While driving through a tunnel in Boston, MA, the vehicle shut off completely without warning and could not be restarted. The dashboard displayed multiple warning lights and the engine would not crank (clicking sound only). I was stranded inside an active tunnel in live traffic, requiring a Massachusetts State Police response and a tow. The dealer diagnosed a shorted starter, and during the same repair found the radiator leaking from its lower corner seam with no coolant remaining in the system (dealer repair order 316800, at 66,453 miles). An independent repair shop had documented dried coolant residue under the radiator three months earlier at 63,656 miles, indicating the leak had been developing. This vehicle also has a history of auxiliary battery failures affecting the stop/start system: the auxiliary battery failed at 22,517 miles and was replaced under warranty, and failed again at 58,094 miles. A sudden engine shutdown in a tunnel with no ability to restart is a serious safety hazard, and I am filing this complaint to document the failure. Repair invoices are available and can be uploaded.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OH

The vehicle has stalled in traffic multiple times, it sends emergency messages while operating that the vehicle must pull off of the road or shut down, it is constantly displaying "service stop/ start system" messages and service lights, it sometimes doesn't start after having gotten to a location but will start up without having the vehicle jump started later, it drains the batteries quickly, as well. I was on the highway with my son in the vehicle, not near any exit and in thick traffic, when it told me to pull off the road or it may shut down. On a separate occasion, I had my family in the car, we stopped for an event and the vehicle randomly didn't restart, stranding us until we could reach another ride. Another time I was driving to work and it the engine shut off and when I tried to go it randomly did not go and I had to shut the vehicle down while in traffic, restart the engine and put it back into drive before I could allow traffic to move again. I took it to an authorized Jeep/ Chrysler Dealership for these issues and no recalls were put out for my vehicle, despite these exact issues being a part of a recall of nearly 13,000 Fiat Chrysler vehicles under the federal safety agency 18V524000 (Chrysler recall U87).

Filed Jun 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Pulled up in my drive way turned car off and when I went to start ut to go to work it just would not start anymore

Filed Jun 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Experienced countless "high coolant temp" followed by power loss and engine shutoff, yes—while driving—like everyone else. the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN: PE22013 Search it and read. They investigated it already & ruled it not dangerous enough. It took me spending so much money trying different fixes, then countless hours searching for a solution to finally realize that full investigation case was tucked away years ago. No big deal apparently. The conclusion gets it wrong of course. Part of the ruling claiming no safety risk is based on implying the car starts back right after engine loss and that's simply not true. Twice mine wouldn't start back after the incident, not immediately not within 30 minutes. Only once did it fail, then restart after. I've read through the hundreds of similar complaints and many are stranded after it happens as well. But there's definitely one thing in common EVERYONE'S DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENS. This is a severely dangerous issue, putting peoples lives at risk. This is 100% on the manufacturer to bring to light and shamefully haven't. This started last summer for me and I didn't post about it but seeing brand new report still being added irks me. It didn't happen over the winter. And no it wasn't the alternator, battery, fuses, radiator, or injector.. I (understandably) heard it all and tried it all. Honestly I let it sit for a while and it stopped. The issue is unpredictable and undetectable by mechanics. Not sure what else you need.

Filed May 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IA

The headlights and interior lighting flickers when turned on. The vehicle often will not start, but once hooked up to a jumper pack starts immediately despite the batteries being inspected previously and being okay. The start/stop function doesn't always work, and the engine stalls while driving, causing a massive safety issue.

Filed Mar 26, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

-Vehicle would not start several times, this occurred just after purchasing, then battery was replaced and it occurred again over the course of 8 months. -A few days ago after getting the jeep to start, the RPM would not go >2 and the speed would not increase >20 MPH. This happened on PA220 with speed limit of 40MPH causing a near-wreck when pulling out onto the road and not being able to accelerate to the flow of oncoming traffic. My 6 year old child was in the vehicle with me. -Yesterday I stopped for gas & turned the engine off, then it would not start up again. Another person used their vehicle to jumpstart the jeep with jumper cables. The dash showed there was a “coolant issue” and to check the engine. The jeep was inspected today and serviced with no issues to the battery, it was not the cause. -Previously on multiple occasions the front screen for the radio would not turn on, has glitched and flickered, would not connect to cords plugged in for carplay, chargers will not charge the phone/connect inconsistently (multiple different chargers, worked in other vehicles/outlets), screen would be black but radio would play and unable to turn off/adjust the volume, screen “buttons” will not work/respond to touch often. I have video of this happening, unable to upload footage to this complaint. Can provide if necessary. -Per the service dept at Tyrone Ford Dealership, the O2 sensor is on along with several other codes regarding this issue. This is a manufacturer’s defect, not a user error. It is a safety concern and is not something the consumer should be held accountable to pay for/fix. This is poor craftsmanship on Jeep’s part and needs resolved on their dime, not a single mother’s.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

Unknown / Check engine lights came on, and then a warning saying stop safely, the engine will shut down soon, now it will not start. Leaving me stranded. This happened multiple times but now the car won’t start and will need to be towed. I have asked several repair shops and done research online, and nobody knows how to fix this issue.

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

When I first purchased my car, for some reason it kept starting, and then the engine would turn off in the middle of driving. As of lately the Key fob has been undetected in the car or battery is low. I have replaced my key fob twice. I have also replaced my batteries in both of the key fobs. After I replace the key fob, the check engine light came on in the car is stalling not starting properly. Sometimes I have to press the multiple times for it to start up. Recently I was driving and my car just stalled and I could not get it to start again. I have had this happen to me over 10 times. There was a recall for exactly what was happening to my car. the federal safety agency Recall 18v-524 just that my car was not recalled. I am now without a car and it clearly is experiencing EXACTLY what the recall says. over 5 times I was on the road when the car stalled / stopped while I was driving. It just stopped in the middle of the road. Now my car will not start at all. I have not even had the car for two years. The car has 40,000 miles on it. I got the car at 20,000 miles. They have been 6 recalls for cars like mine however my specific VIN was not included. The recalls that I am most concerned with. u87 and w20.

Filed Jan 3, 2026 · Engine · WI

Check engine lights came on, and then a warning saying stop safely, the engine will shut down soon, now it will not start. Leaving me stranded. This happened twice, but now the car won’t start and will need to be towed. I have asked several repair shops and done research online, and nobody knows how to fix this issue.