Problems · by component

2020 Jeep Compass engine problems

79 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Jeep Compass cite engine, 55% of all 143 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
79
55% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My 2020 Jeep Compass experiences sudden, unexpected engine shut-offs while driving. The engine loses power and stalls without warning, and shortly afterward the dashboard displays a 'Coolant Temperature Too High' warning. The vehicle has stalled while in motion, including at highway speeds, creating a serious safety hazard. After the stall, the vehicle restarts and behaves normally, but the problem has recurred multiple times. This matches the engine-stalling and coolant-temperature issue described in the NHTSA investigation of 2019–2020 Jeep Compass vehicles equipped with the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2026EngineODI 11742922
“We have been without our 2020 JEEP since the end of February 2026 due to an engine issue (had the car only 6-7 months). The first company thought there might be coolant in the head gasket causing the issue. After our extended warranty company wanted the engine opened to confirm, we had to send the car to Precision Tune at the end of March to do this (prior place didn't open engines or repair them and recommended Precision Tune). Based on the engine codes of P0301 and P1061, as well how the car started, Precision Tune knew that the multi air actuator had failed. We both kept asking the extended warranty company how opening the engine would tell them that the multi air actuator failed (Precision Tune and JEEP dealer both said it would not show them that). 5 days later the extended warranty company said that the part was not covered. By that time the multi air actuator was on backorder. On April 10, I called up JEEP to ask about the part and when it might be back in stock. I was told that JEEP is doing an engineering review on the part because of the various issues and until that is resolved there is no timetable on when the part will be available leaving…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2026EngineODI 11731850
“At approximately 35,900 miles, vehicle failed a block test indicating combustion gases in the cooling system. Cylinder head gasket was replaced, cylinder head was machined, and exhaust valves were replaced at an independent shop at a cost of over 5,000. Shortly after, at approximately 36,300 miles, vehicle was towed in with sudden loss of power and would not accelerate. Diagnostic codes P1064 (cylinder 4 oil supply solenoid stuck), P0171 (fuel system lean), and P0304 (cylinder misfire) were found. The MultiAir/VVT actuator was confirmed to have an internal failure. Both the independent shop and a Jeep dealership parts department confirmed the component was on indefinite national backorder due to high demand caused by widespread failures of this part. At approximately 37,500 miles, vehicle failed a second block test. The cylinder head was found warped again and required a second full replacement along with motor mount replacement. The vehicle has had its cylinder head replaced twice in under seven months. Total out-of-pocket repair costs exceed 8,000. The sudden loss of power while driving created an unsafe condition. The failure has been confirmed and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 13, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11730900
“I’ve had this car since March 8, 2020 and from the very beginning I’ve had electrical issues at first. It started with just my lights flickering the dashboard as well and it progressed overtime and also gave my different messages on my dashboard. The radio would shut off making it impossible to use my backup camera as well, I wasn’t able to take it to the dealer because when I called they said that it all had to come out of my pocket, even though I had just bought the car so it was a little impossible for me to be able to afford that at the moment so I put it all off overtime. It did progress and I had to get the battery switched out twice as well as the second battery this happened while I was pregnant and it actually was because the car stalled out on me. I was out in Palmdale visiting my parents when the car completely turned off all the electrical options were nonexistent. I was at a stoplight and when the car didn’t turn back on, it was dark because Palmdale is a desert area. I had no lights, and I had no way of telling the rest of the drivers I was having an emergency if I got out the car, I was putting myself at risk as well as my babies. My car stalling…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11718918
“I tried the auto start on the fob car would not start I tried to the push start nothing again . Did get warning coolant temp high Had to tow car They are investigating”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11708586
“My vehicle’s engine has shut off completely in the middle of the road TWICE, both on busy highways. The first time, I was turning left and the engine shut off as I was turning into oncoming traffic and was stuck in the middle of two lanes. Second time, I was stopped at a red light and the engine shut off again. Once the car is turned off and back on, the light for the Auto Stop/Start came on and said to service the Stop/Start feature. The first incident, I had the car brand new for maybe a week. The second incident just happened last week.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11708267

Showing 6 of 79 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2020 Compass problem areas