2019 Jeep Compass Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 Jeep Compass most often describe the vehicle shutting off or losing power while driving — at traffic lights, on the highway, or right after starting — and many say dealers could not reproduce the problem. Electrical symptoms such as warning lamps, instrument cluster and touch screen glitches, and battery-related no-starts are the second large theme, with brake-related complaints (grinding, unintended parking brake engagement) also recurring at relatively low mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine shuts off while driving or idling

   • 171 complaints (52%)
   • median 10,000 mi at 1.3 yrs old (57 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the engine stopping unexpectedly at red lights, in traffic, and at highway speeds, sometimes with the coolant temperature, oil pressure, or check engine warning lamp coming on afterward. Several report that the vehicle would restart after a delay or after being turned off and on again, while others needed a tow. According to complaints, dealers commonly said they could not duplicate the failure; where repairs were attempted, they included battery and auxiliary battery replacement, a PCM replacement, a thermostat, a fuel pump, and software updates, and owners report the stalling returned in some cases. Reported from a few hundred miles up to roughly 110,000 miles, with many at low mileage under 25,000; the stalling appears at both low and highway speeds and in varying weather.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether stalling or no-start events were logged and whether battery, auxiliary battery, or PCM work was done. On a test drive, watch for hesitation or a drop in power and confirm the stop-start system behaves normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was at a red lighting turning right and when I started to go the car stalled and would not let me go forward. I tried turning the car on and off and it made a noise like the car was turning on but would not let me move forward. I tried turning it on and off a couple times then the check engine light came on. I popped the hood and then tried turning the car on again, this time it did turn on and was letting me move forward and then it stalled again and would not let me go forward. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11301496, filed 2020-01, 2,300 miles

   “I bought my Jeep march 2019 and have never had an issue. Then a few months later the radio starts pressing buttons by itself. I took it to the local dodge and they said there was nothing wrong with it. The next thing to go wrong is the auto start stops working. I got stuck at several red lights and almost rear ended a few times. I took it back to dodge and they still said there was nothing wrong with it and it didnt throw any codes at advanced auto. Then lastly, it finally goes out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11373080, filed 2020-11, 40,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Touch screen, cluster and electrical glitches

   • 107 complaints (32%)
   • median 28,000 mi at 2.6 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe the Uconnect touch screen acting on its own, bubbling or going blank, the instrument cluster displaying a black screen, and warning messages for steering, stability control, hill start, and service shifter appearing together. Owners also describe the backup camera showing a blank or distorted image, doors locking and unlocking by themselves, and the vehicle failing to start until jump-started. According to complaints, dealers sometimes replaced the instrument cluster or battery, while other visits ended with no fault found or a software update offered at the owner's expense. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 3,000 to 140,000 miles, with many between 20,000 and 60,000 miles.

   8 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the infotainment screen for ghost presses, the backup camera image, and the instrument cluster during a drive. Ask whether any software updates or battery replacements were performed, and check that all warning lamps go out after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When trying to start the car it will turn over but not start. The car turns on as if it will start but doesn't completely crank. This is not the first time since I've had this car that it has not crank. It has also turned off in the middle of traffic on a very busy highway while at a red light and did not turn back on. This is a problem I see many people are having with this similar vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11378257, filed 2020-12, 39,000 miles

   “On may 1st 2021 I was driving my car home which I've only had for about 7 months (under 36k miles) home and my windshield wipers started moving (even though they weren't on) I turn the knob to turn them off and I get a message that 'service shifter'. I go home and park the car. About a hour later I come back out and try the car again and same thing windshield wipers moving while off, turn the knob to turn them off and 'service shifter' message pops up along messages about my lights being out, my A/C quit working and my break light came on! …”

   NHTSA complaint #11415584, filed 2021-05, 34,989 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake grinding and unexpected parking brake engagement

   • 34 complaints (10%)
   • median 13,123 mi at 1.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report grinding and grabbing brakes, in some cases from the first miles of ownership, with dealers telling them nothing was wrong. Other complaints describe the electronic parking brake engaging on its own while driving or at a stop, holding the vehicle and requiring a restart, and a "service electronic parking brake" message. One owner reported the brake pedal failing to stop the vehicle in traffic, and another described reduced braking that was intermittent. Reported from near-new mileage up to about 30,000 miles, with grinding often noted in cold or damp conditions at start-up.

   Recall 18V523000

   What to check: Listen for grinding on the first few stops of a cold start and feel for grabbing or pulsation. Ask whether the rear brake caliper recall work was completed and whether any parking brake codes were stored.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “From purchase date the brakes felt bad. I have taken my car to 2 dealerships and 3 times total to complain about the grinding and brake grabbing and told nothing is wrong or no recalls, so they didn't want to address this ongoing issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11387806, filed 2021-01, 200 miles

   “I complained about engine tapping soon after buying the brand new car in august 2019 nothing was done. 5/9/20 I attempted to drive the car and as I got ready to pull into a busy street the truck cut off and the parking break engaged. It took me 5 mins to get it restarted and attempted to back up and it cut off again. My breaks have been feeling as though they are grinding. My clock has changed time on the truck from regular time to military time. When moving my car into drive my car jerks violently.”

   NHTSA complaint #11324019, filed 2020-05, 10,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Oil consumption and overheating concerns

   • 79 complaints (24%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Some owners describe the engine using oil between changes, with warnings to add oil or an oil pressure lamp after the vehicle stalled, and in a few cases a dealer diagnosis that the engine needed replacement. Others report overheating messages or coolant warnings, at times followed by loss of power, with one complaint stating a cylinder failed. According to complaints, dealers performed oil consumption tests and PCV valve replacement in some cases. Mostly reported between roughly 18,000 and 70,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition on a cold engine and ask for service records showing oil changes and any consumption test. Look for coolant residue or a sweet smell and confirm the temperature gauge reads normally on a longer drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the engine oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 81,987.”

   NHTSA complaint #11505232, filed 2023-02, 81,987 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil consumption failure and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11534984, filed 2023-07, 40,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Front-end noise and steering or suspension wear

   • 19 complaints (6%)
   • median 14,500 mi at 1.9 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2025

   Owners describe thumping or abnormal noises from the front end while driving and turning, and in some cases a diagnosis of a failed rack-and-pinion, fractured control arms, or worn tie rods. Complaints also mention the steering becoming difficult after a stall, and one owner reported instability and rattling over bumps. According to complaints, some of these diagnoses came from independent shops rather than dealers. Mostly reported between about 8,000 and 66,000 miles, often noticed while turning or on uneven roads.

   What to check: Drive over bumps and make slow full-lock turns to listen for clunks or knocking, and check the steering for play. Ask whether any front suspension or steering components were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Making a turn around and the car went over the curb barely at 20 MPH or slower and then the car became in drivable. I have been told the rack and pinion is broken and that Jeep has a 700+ people waiting list for the part because there is a bug in the part and they refused to release it to the people so now I don't have a car to drive all because I ran over a curb going less than 20 MPH.”

   NHTSA complaint #11376464, filed 2020-11, 37,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving over bumps in the road, the vehicle shook abnormally, rattled, and became unstable. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11355365, filed 2020-09, 8,000 miles

Buying note. This model year draws a high volume of complaints about stalling and electrical faults, often at low mileage, so service history matters more than usual. Ask for records of battery, software, and any engine or transmission repairs, and test the electronics and brakes carefully on a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.