Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 141 safety complaints
about the 2020 Jeep Compass with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 3 people were injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering visibility.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 79 complaints, 56% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 19,126 miles,
the median across the 31
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers March 2020 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
141 complaints on file
141
Complaints
3
Describe a crash
2
Mention fire
3
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 79 · 56%
79 56%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 66 · 47%
66 47%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 29 · 21%
29 21%
POWER TRAIN 28 · 20%
28 20%
SERVICE BRAKES 7 · 5%
7 5%
STEERING 7 · 5%
7 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 · 5%
7 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4 · 3%
4 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 3%
4 3%
SUSPENSION 4 · 3%
4 3%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 4 · 3%
4 3%
WHEELS 4 · 3%
4 3%
03569
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 141.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2023 at 28.
32 24 16 8
202020212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 Jeep COMPASS, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
20.6%
20.2%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ram 1500, 1500 Classic and Jeep Compass vehicles. The windshield wiper arm or arms may loosen, possibly causing the wipers to not operate properly and reduce the driver's visibility in certain weather conditions.
The risk
Reduced visibility increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper nuts, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W25.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 425,599 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
1 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
False overheat leading to loss of motive power
PE22013
Closed preliminary evaluation · opened December 2, 2022 · closed December 10, 2023
the engine, the engine and its cooling
On December 2, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22-013 to investigate allegations of loss of motive power accompanied by high coolant temperature messages on the dashboard of Model Year 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. At the time this investigation was opened, ODI was aware of fifteen Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for Model Year (MY) 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles alleging a loss of motive power (LOMP) while driving. The LOMP events were often accompanied by a high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high message appearing on the dashboard of the vehicle. In most incidents, the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high dashboard messages spontaneously self-corrected or were corrected after the vehicle was stopped and restarted. One complainant alleged no immediate restart, and the vehicle was towed. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) was opened to assess the frequency and potential safety consequences of these engine shut down events. On January 19th, 2023, ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler US LLC (FCA) requesting pertinent information on the subject 2019-2020 Jeep Compass vehicles. FCA provided its full response on March 2nd, 2023. ODI has reviewed the information FCA provided as well as new reports submitted to NHTSA’s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire database. Based on a review of available information, ODI has identified 173 subject vehicles that likely experienced a shutdown event associated with the high coolant temperature or coolant temperature too high dashboard messages. ODI found the 2019 Model Year (MY) Jeep Compass as having the highest failure rate while also being the oldest group of vehicles in this investigation. The 2019 Jeep Compass vehicles that experienced a failure represent an incident rate of about 0.09%. The 2020 Jeep compass vehicles that experienced a failure represent an incident rate of about 0.04%. After reviewing the information available at this time, ODI identified one allegation of a crash and no allegations of injury, fire, or fatality. The alleged crash occurred at a stop light and was able to be restarted immediately. In its response to ODI, FCA provided its assessment of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. FCA believes the alleged defect does not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. FCA stated that allegations related to this investigation involve the vehicle notifying the driver of an overheat condition, via a message and telltale lights, followed by an engine shutdown. FCA goes on to say that once the engine shuts down, the driver is instructed via an instrument cluster message to place the vehicle in park. After the vehicle is placed in park, it can then be restarted and immediately driven with no issues. This is consistent with ODI’s observations. Based on the analysis conducted by ODI indicating a low failure rate and given that the vehicles normally can be re-started immediately after the shutdown event, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. NHTSA reserves the right take additional actions if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed · 35,000 miles
The contact's daughter owned a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 2 MPH in a parking lot, she was involved in a head-on collision. The vehicle was listed as totaled by the insurance company. The contact's daughter and niece were injured when the air bags did not deploy, causing her daughter and niece to strike their foreheads on the steering wheel and the passenger’s side dashboard. The contact's daughter was unaware if any warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact's daughter and niece did not seek medical attention. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was …
NHTSA complaint 11479987, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 injured · crash · towed · 19,126 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at 35 mph in the rain, when he attempted to use the windshield wipers but they failed to function. The contact stated he attempted to park the vehicle and was unable to see another vehicle which caused him to crash. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did deploy. The contact stated he sustained whiplash, neck and lower back injuries and did seek medical attention at the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the …
NHTSA complaint 11420821, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
fire · towed · 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that her son was driving at undisclosed speeds when he arrived at his destination turn into a parking lot. Placed the gear actuator in park, within second a warning indicated that the vehicle was not in park however, the contact stated that the vehicle was in park. The gear actuator seized not allowing the contact to change gears. The contact attempted to turn the vehicle off however the vehicle failed to turn off. Unknown if any odor appeared. The police department was contacted and came out and try to assist. Within a second the vehicle went up in flames. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the flames. No injuries …
NHTSA complaint 11424392, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint 11705159. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
My 2020 Jeep Compass develops significant shaking and vibration when I apply the brakes while traveling above approximately 70 mph. The vibration affects the vehicle’s stability and makes me concerned about maintaining control and stopping safely at highway speeds. The vehicle was inspected and serviced by an authorized Jeep dealership after I reported the shaking. The dealership identified problems involving the inner tie rods and steering system. Before the repair, I specifically questioned whether the brake rotors could be contributing to the shaking. The dealership assured me that it was completely certain the problem had been corrected. The vehicle rides somewhat better following the …
NHTSA complaint 11768127, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My start/stop battery keeps dying , causing my regular battery to die !
NHTSA complaint 11766445. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 …
NHTSA complaint 11763674, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unknown. Vehicle has been inspected prior for electrical issues while under warranty. Dealer claims no issue. Backup camera does not work, vehicle temperature settings are not accessible on screen.
NHTSA complaint 11759558. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STEERING
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 …
NHTSA complaint 11752965, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle shuts off randomly. Restarts after stopping but it’s consistent as if the car over heated yet the coolant temperature reads 194-200
NHTSA complaint 11747773. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed April 9, 2020.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst