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EnginePart report

2020 Jeep Compass Engine Problems

Complaints
79about this part
Share
55%of 143 total for the year
Median mileage
6,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 79 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Jeep Compass, 55% of the 143 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Vehicle has shut off while driving on two occasions. Both times I had slowed to a stop and when I hit the gas to reaccelerate at a green light the car shut off. The infotainment screens remained on and the lights on the shift knob started to blink. I had to put the car into park, turn it off and restart it all while sitting at an intersection. It was not a quick process. The car has an idle feature to save on gas however this was not the feature in action the car was off completely.”

NHTSA complaint #11348490, filed 2020-08, 700 miles

“Purchased a 2020 Compass on may 28th, 2020 within the first week it shut down or stalled completely at a stop street, had to put the car in park and hit the restart button. I was not sure if this had something to do with the auto stop/start so I switched this function off and in the following weeks it died 2 more times once when driving through an intersection the next time when I was starting off at a street light, this is not normal so on june 26th I returned the car to the dealership and filled a claim with Jeep customer service. …”

NHTSA complaint #11331626, filed 2020-06, 150 miles

“I purchased my car on july 22nd 2020. The very first day while I was driving home I noticed that the car shut off while I was stopping. I thought perhaps that it was the auto off that triggered a little too early. Since then it happened twice and most recently while I was driving and making a turn the car just shut off. The only way to get the car going west for me too put the car in neutral and start the car again. Also, a google search of the tiger shark engine issues points out that there are many concerns and complaints affecting so many vehicles. …”

NHTSA complaint #11352760, filed 2020-09, 1,072 miles

“I have had my 2020 Jeep Compass 4.5 months and it has stalled twice. Both times as I was approaching a light to stop. My life has been endangered both times as I did not realize what had happened nor do the people behind me. I only realized what was happening when I attempt to accelerate. Both times I was almost hit from behind. The first time at approx at 1624 miles and the second time at approx 1742 miles. There is no warning or direction from the vehicle, but while panicking in traffic I see that my emergency bake is on!!!!! Suddenly and for no reason!! …”

NHTSA complaint #11350896, filed 2020-08, 1,742 miles

“My 2020 Compass stalls while driving on the street and freeway and while turning. I have had this happen 6 or 7 times and one time a guy slammed on his brakes and swerved around me so he didn't hit me. I took it to the dealer 2 times and its been in the shop for 25 days and I provided video proof of the issue and the dealer said if they don't see it they won't do anything. The car keeps getting different check engine codes and they just clear them. There is obviously and issue the dealer won't verify driving the car two miles. There is clearly an electrical issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11360035, filed 2020-09, 10,200 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025310%
2024713%
2023714%
20223716%
20211822%
20207955%
201916149%
201847550%
20177131%
201613546%
20153027%
20149130%
20131013%
20123620%
20113016%
201057%
2009511%
20081314%
20073714%

Other parts of the 2020 Jeep Compass

Electrical system
66 complaints
Other or unknown
29 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
29 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Engine cooling
4 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Jeep Compass

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology