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moderate Owners of the 2016 Jeep Compass have filed 92 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 60,006 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Compass | 16 |
| 2013 Compass | 7 |
| 2014 Compass | 31 |
| 2015 Compass | 15 |
| 2016 Compass (this page) | 92 |
| 2017 Compass | 23 |
| 2018 Compass | 200 |
| 2019 Compass | 60 |
| 2020 Compass | 18 |
Of the 92 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Jeep Compass, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Engine accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Among the 16 model years of Jeep Compass in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some of the above-involved vehicles may exceed NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emission level standards due to loss of catalytic converter efficiency
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The dominant complaint is engine stalling without warning while driving—on highways at 60 mph, during turns, while accelerating from a stop, or sitting at traffic lights. The engine shuts down cold with no warning light, leaving owners stranded with locked steering and loss of power brakes. Many report difficulty restarting (requiring multiple attempts or waiting several minutes); some have been rear-ended or forced into unsafe situations on busy roads.
Owners consistently point to NHTSA Campaign 16V907000 (Recall S89), which covers crankshaft and camshaft sensor failures in 2016 Compass models built May 9–July 15, 2016. Chrysler would replace these sensors free. The problem: most stalling complaints come from vehicles *outside* that production window, and Chrysler repeatedly denies coverage, telling owners their VIN is not included despite identical failure patterns.
Diagnostics are unreliable. Many dealerships find no trouble codes, cannot replicate the stall, and refuse to repair without a code. Independent mechanics have identified bad crank/camshaft sensors, and when those sensors are replaced, stalling stops—yet the same diagnosis done at a dealer often leads to dead ends. Some owners spent over $3,000 visiting multiple shops before finding the right fix.
Secondary issues include engine hesitation and jerking during acceleration, particularly after slowing down and pressing the gas again. One owner reported an engine fire with no warning signs; Chrysler's investigator blamed manufacturing defect but refused warranty coverage. Cold-weather hard starting and check engine lights with emissions codes round out the complaints, though frequency is lower.
The core safety risk: sudden, unpredictable stalling in traffic with no diagnostic codes and manufacturer denial of responsibility.
Same Jeep Compass engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
The engine shuts off abruptly during driving at various speeds—highway, city streets, during acceleration, deceleration, turns, or while sitting at traffic lights—without warning lights or notice. Owners report the vehicle becomes difficult to restart (takes multiple attempts or waiting minutes); some experience steering wheel lock when power is lost. The stall may happen once or become a recurring daily problem. No diagnostic codes often appear initially, making dealer diagnosis difficult.
When: Ranges from 4,000 to 160,000 miles; most failures reported in the 45,000–90,000 mile range. Some occur early in ownership (under 1 year).
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt engine shutdown while driving at any speed; No warning lights (in most cases); Difficulty restarting (requires multiple attempts or waiting minutes); Steering wheel locks when power is lost; Intermittent stalling—can be daily or sporadic; May correlate with acceleration/deceleration or sharp turns; Loss of power steering and braking assist
Codes mentioned: P2173, C2101, P0420, Check engine light (illuminates after stall, sometimes only later)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report crankshaft sensor and/or camshaft sensor replacement; some replaced throttle body and solenoid connectors. Costs cited: $300 for spark plugs (ineffective); one owner spent over $3,000 across multiple shops before sensor replacement fixed the issue. Some sensors were replaced but failures recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 16V907000 (Recall S89, started February 8, 2017) covers May 9–July 15, 2016 production vehicles. Recall specifies crankshaft or camshaft sensor replacement, free of charge. However, the majority of owners report their VIN was NOT included in the recall despite experiencing identical symptoms. Chrysler has repeatedly told owners outside the recall window that their VIN is not covered and referred them to NHTSA Hotline. Some owners were refused warranty coverage; one private mechanic unofficially performed the recall fix but vehicle failed again shortly after.
Fire erupted in the engine compartment shortly after engine shutdown or while vehicle was parked. No warning signs preceded the fire. Chrysler's investigator concluded the fire was not due to a manufacturing or assembly error, but the owner disputes this and believes it is a defect. Vehicle was a total loss; Chrysler refused coverage despite vehicle being within powertrain warranty period.
When: One reported fire at approximately 36,000 miles; another after short driving period (a few minutes run time before engine was shut off).
Symptoms owners cite: Fire visible in engine compartment; No warning lights or indicators before fire
Repairs/costs cited: Fire department extinguished both fires. Vehicles were total losses. No repair attempted; wreckage towed to salvage yard.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler sent an investigator. Chrysler determined fire was not a result of a manufacturing or assembly error and refused warranty coverage under the powertrain warranty.
Vehicle jerks, lunges, hesitates, or loses power when accelerating from a stop or after slowing down and pressing the gas again. Vehicle may chug or shudder. Some cases coincide with the stalling issue; others occur independently. Typically happens at low speeds or during traffic conditions requiring acceleration changes.
When: Reported across the mileage spectrum; some beginning within first year of ownership (11,500 miles).
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking or lunging when accelerating; Hesitation to respond to accelerator pedal; Shuddering or chugging; Loss of motive power during acceleration; Often occurs after slowing down then having to accelerate again
Codes mentioned: P0420 (catalyst system)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement was attempted by some dealers (noted as a known issue with 2017 Compass models); however, repair did not always resolve the problem. One owner had throttle body replaced twice without success.
Abnormal knocking noise audible from the engine. Vehicle may hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. One owner reported the vehicle becoming difficult to shift into gear while chugging uphill.
When: Reported at approximately 91,000 miles and 127,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal knocking noise from engine; Hesitation when depressing accelerator; Chugging while driving uphill; Difficulty shifting into gear
Codes mentioned: P0420
Check engine light illuminates, sometimes accompanied by emissions light or unknown warning lights. In some cases, the light appears and disappears intermittently; in others, it remains on. Diagnostic codes retrieved include catalytic converter and sensor-related codes.
When: Varies; some appear after stalling, others while parked or during normal driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Emissions light illuminated; Unknown warning lights on dashboard; Light may appear and disappear intermittently
Codes mentioned: P0420 (catalyst system), P2173, C2101
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported catalytic converter replacement recommended by independent mechanics and dealers; vehicle not repaired due to parts being backordered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler has referenced a separate emissions recall (U67) and catalytic converter recall on similar vehicles. One owner reported Jeep's dealership initially claimed repairs were completed under recall but later said no recalls applied.
Vehicle cranks very hard for extended periods without being able to fully start in cold weather conditions. One owner noted this issue alongside power loss while driving.
When: Cold weather conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard cranking in cold weather; Extended periods of cranking without starting; Difficulty fully starting
Synthesized from 92 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and power train warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign…
Crank shaft sensor , car stalls, first started in july 2018...check engine light came on and threw back code for crank shaft sensor
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 92 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 68 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 44,889 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 60,006. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,889; a quarter make it past 84,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.