general problems of the 2016 Jeep Compass - part 1

37 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2016 Jeep Compass. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2016 Jeep Compass based on all problems reported for the 2016 Compass.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2025

I have had problems with Jeep suddenly losing all power while driving with no warning! everytime ive had it checked they could not find anything wrong with it. Just recently it happened again and since then when I drive it doesn't seem to want to accelerate. There are no noises,instrument lights on any codes showing up. I had to wait a month for my appointment at the dealership and then another month for them to even tell me what was wrong. They said I need a new transmission which is ridiculous since my car only has 89,956 miles and a majority of those miles are from military moves. The only thing they did was run a diagnostic test (nothing showed up) and said they had 2 people test drive it ( but my mileage was the same going in and going out) they told me it would cost 7500 before taxes for the transmission. They could not give me a clear answer when I asked what exactly is wrong with the transmission. I was told that its something internal but they couldn't tell me exactly the problem because that would require them to take it apart. I asked if I should get a transmission flush to make sure it wasn't that since I just learned that cvt should be flushed earlier than usual and he told me probably not. I decide to take my car home and will never use them again. I went two months without a car and was unable to work because they did not offer me any time of vehicle while I had to wait. Im concerned because mopar discontinued the transaxle package with torque converter, part number 68000676ah that is for my vehicle because it is known to be defective. I bought this car brand new and thought it was clear of any defects or safety issues. A new transmission for a car that is less than 10 years old is ridiculous and seems like a lemon. Since Jeep knows this jatco transmission is defective and also discontinued it with a different part then why arent they offering a goodwill repair or at least a warranty adjustment. I will now have to quit my job or buy a new car.

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/30/2025

Electronic throttle control vehicle light came on my 2016 Jeep Compass dash as I was on vacation vehicle would not accelerate and turned off causing us to almost wreck and having to leave it on the side of the road and call a uber and get a tow. There is many reports of this issue it needs to be a recall.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/18/2025

I recently got the catalytic converter and 02 sensor swapped which removed the check engine light. My vehicle was running perfect. The I drive it today. Made a right turn, next thing you know the vehicle starts shaking and such and won’t go over 20 mph. I take it to the mechanic. They’re telling me the reader isn’t picking up the problem. Invalid data. I looked online and multiple people are having the same problem. My thing is I was overcharged charged 25,000 for this vehicle from sam at Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge on route 300 newburgh new york 2 years ago.

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass.  the contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. While going up a hill or incline, the vehicle chugged. The vehicle was hard to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who test drove the vehicle and determined the code p0420 was due to the catalyst system and NHTSA campaign number 16v907000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the two other local dealers, pueblo Dodge Chrysler Jeep ram: 2147 us-50, pueblo, CO 81008, and perkins motors, 1205 motor city dr. 1225, 1231 motor city dr. , colorado springs, CO 80905, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

5 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/21/2024

I bought this car year and half ago and I been doing a lot of repairs in it and now the engine light came on and stated the bank 1 and bank 2 sensor camshaft and engine is stalling and car is jerking very dangerous I did allighment new control arms engine mounts I repaired a lot I put new tires I can’t drive it on the high way it starts to jerk left and right and steering is very hard to control seats are horribale and so are the seatbelts.

6 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/18/2024

I have a major ground issue, where I lose power and it makes my headlights, cab lights, and my cluster to constantly flicker. There was no warnings or anything, and has been confirmed by a professional auto care center. Another issue is the engine cooling and there is no leaks I have also had it looked over by the same professional auto care center, I also had to replace the throttle body 4 times in less than 6 months. Losing power to the vehicle is definitely a danger to others and myself and my children. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request as long as it doesn't interfere with my work schedule. Also I have had to change the ignition coils 4 times in less than 6 months also completed by the auto care center. Everything listed has been ongoing since I bought the car in 2019.

7 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/22/2023

We were driving down the road and the car started violently shaking, the check engine light went on and the car wouldn't move. The car needed to be pushed to the gas station and we almost got hit with my son in his car seat. I do believe this is a safety concern that needs to be looked into for a possible recall. The mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be rebuilt.

8 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/19/2023

Engine cuts out while driving. Had to pull over to the side and reset by instructions from google. Took the car to a local garage and he said it was a computer issue. This part was replaced 3-4 years ago and is failing again. A red symbol like a lightning bolt and the check engine light was on.

9 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/18/2023

I’ve had plans with my transmission. This is its third time. First two times were under 30,000 miles and still under warranty. And were replaced by the dealer . Using my warranty. There was also a motor fire. Brakes and rotors all the way around mind you all under 30,000. Transmission was put in. I am now at 101,500. And transmissions going out so it’s been parked. Sitting in my garage. The warning lamps come on, which is a parentheses with a lightning bolt in the middle(??) last time I did the repairs through ramona tires and I paid for out-of-pocket using my credit this time I was told a new transmission for the car is $7000 which I don’t have.

10 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/16/2022

I have been having issues with my vehicle for the past month or so. I took it to a mechanic and they said that my power transfer unit is bad and my vehicle currently doesn't have 4 wheel drive capability. My vehicle periodically stutters, slows and looses power while driving at freeway speeds. During all of my issues, not once has my check engine light or any sort of indicator has lit up letting me know I have an issue with my vehicle. I thought newer cars are supposed to know when there is an issue with the vehicle. This is completely unacceptable and now I'm looking at over $2,000 in repairs.

11 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/22/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle stalled, the tachometer decreased. The check engine and power train warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 83,521. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 16v907000 (engine and engine cooling).

12 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/30/2022

It will stop running while driving or making turn without warning must stop put in park and restart . The more you use more it happens. Very dangerous.

13 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/02/2022

The car has stalled and shut off several times while driving almost causing an accident, while driving the car just slows down and will not accelerate and has left me stranded several times.

14 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/12/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while her daughter was driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

15 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 02/17/2022

While driving 2016 Jeep Compass vehicle jerks suddenly and feels like it is going to stall. Nothing changes on dashboard. This happens during acceleration or even just driving down the road or highway. Took it to dealership back in 2020 and the catalytic converter was replaced. The jerking stopped until now. Took it back to same dealership and the mechanic could not duplicate the problem. No codes thrown. Even though I have many witnesses hat have been in the vehicle while it occurred. Picked Jeep back up and it started jerking while driving again within a 1/2 mile of driving away from the dealership. Repair not done. Feels unsafe to drive. I’m afraid it is going to stall and cause an accident. Mileage in 2020 incident 65000. Mileage this incident 76000.

16 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/05/2021

Vehicle has a slow acceleration ration. I was merging onto the freeway and pressing on the accelerator, but it does not accelerate. It takes quite sometime to pickup speed, throttle body light has just started coming on along with the check engine light. Purchased vehicle 8/2021, no acceleration from the beginning. Check engine and throttle body light 2-3 weeks ago.

17 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/20/2021

This morning (08. 20. 21) I was driving to work when about 1 mile in I was going 45mph and my car started stalling, causing it to drop to 10mph. The engine light and traction control light are consistently on. The electronic throttle control light is constantly blinking when I have the ignition on. My car has been in limp mode all day and will not go over 10mph. I almost got hit by the car behind me when it happened and almost hit someone else trying to get out of their way. I’ve been looking into it all day and I found that there was a recall “s89” on Jeep Compass 2016 made anytime between may 9, 2016 and July 15, 2016 and which came equipped with 2. 0-liter or 2. 4-liter 4-cylinder engines. Mine was manufactured July 15, 2016 and is a 2. 0-liter.

18 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/05/2020

My car power train went out as I only have the car for 11 months and transmission is not working well I was driving home and the car rpm was going to 6 ## #vpic# 1 - check digit (9th position) does not calculate properly #vpic#.

19 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/30/2020

Vehicle stalls out and leaves motorists stranded. Engine stalls and has the potential to resume normal power but has a serious lag between power given and power accepted by engine (2-5 secs). Possibility for collision is great and possibility for being left stranded is great. Battery and normal maintenance has been performed.

20 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/11/2020

Car lost power three times in the last two weeks. Twice while driving, one of those times was on the highway, and the third time when stopped at a red light.

21 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2020

All of my lights came on out of nowhere then car wouldn't turn back on. After diagnostics it was determined to be an electrical issue with the wiring harnesses & also was told that there were issues with my airbags being able to properly deploy. Vehicle was on. Vehicle was in motion at about 30-40mph. I was fortunate enough to make it home and be able to park my car and I was fortunate I wasn't on a highway or it could have been a very dangerous accident.

22 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/28/2020

About 2 weeks ago after I put gas in the car the check engine light came on we checked everything cannot figure out anything wrong with it then the airbag lights came on so we took the battery out put it back in and reset the lights. The check engine light came on the next time I drove it. Roughly 3 or 4 days after that it was morning it was misty the roads were wet I went about 5 blocks took a right turn went another 5 blocks took a left turn and all the sudden anti skid lights came on then the airbag light came on and then the lightning bolt light came on the car had no power. Soi pulled it over and we had it towed home I had a diagnostics test in it's c1221 I believe was the code we have not drive it since.

23 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/03/2020

Transmission over heats and then stalls out when it is warm out. The dealerships I have gone to said there is nothing wrong with the Jeep Compass because it doesn't act up for them. Normally make it 45 minutes in summer before it over heats. Cant keep car over 2,000 rmp in summer or transmission will over heat even faster. Has been happening many time over the last 2 summers. Non-dealerships wont look at the car and they say that the dealerships need to fix it.

24 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/31/2019

Tl- the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while backing out of the driveway, the vehicle shut off without warning. Upon investigation, the contact associated NHTSA campaign number: 16v907000(engine and engine cooling) with her failure. The contact was then informed that this recall had been previously remedied on this same vehicle; however, the failure occurred again. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would make hard, sudden jerks without warning. The contact took the vehicle to branhaven Jeep Chrysler Dodge ram 348 w main st, branford, CT 06405 (203) 488-6351 where they were unable to duplicate or diagnose the vehicle for these failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was given a case number(64914088). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000. Jo.

25 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/11/2019

Vehicle is shifting erratically, it is a intermittent problem. When first bought vehicle dealer told me that is just the way that transmission is. It is happening more frequently now.

26 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2019

Jeep will not start with key. Then I had to press on gas to get car to start, now it doesn't start at all with key. I have to use my automatic starter to get my car to start then put my key in. This should be recalled. This is not safe, and obviously a Jeep problem. I have researched this, and so many Jeep owners have this problem.

27 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/21/2019

I have driven this vehicle for 3 years with no issues until recently. I take care of it and maintenance it regularly. Around April 29th I felt some steering issues and brought it in to firestone who told me it needed to be taken to the dealership. At the dealership, they replaced an abs sensor and a few tire sensors. Since then on multiple occasions the vehicle has randomly and intermittently stalled while driving. I can be driving at any speed and the vehicle will randomly lose acceleration, power steering, and brakes. It has happened after a turn, while just going straight at 45 mph, while in stop-and-go traffic, and when trying to accelerate after sitting at a red light. There is no rhyme or reason. The ignition has to be turned off and turned back on to restart the vehicle. I have nearly caused a collision twice. I brought it to the dealership on June 22nd and they had my car until June 25th. They replaced the crankshaft position carriage, and some frayed wiring. The issue happened 3 more times after those repairs. I had it towed to the dealership on June 27th and it is still in the shop (today is July 2nd). They are telling me they cannot recreate the problem and want me to take the vehicle back without doing any repairs. I am now working with the gm and cfo of the dealership to try and resolve this and I have filed a complaint with Chrysler (case #59096741). I do not feel safe driving the vehicle and I refuse to put my children in it. All service records that I have are inside the vehicle at the dealership.

28 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/10/2019

Vehicle will without warning stall in the middle of driving, in city traffic, on country roads, starting up a hill as well as driving on flat straight road. I've been driving 55mph, 45 mph 25 mph and it will stall, the traction control light will come on. Sometimes the car will not restart for 10+ minutes after stalling. Each time I was driving in traffic, and had children in the vehicle with people behind me. Engine just cuts all power, power steering is lost. Also have noticed a huge drop in fuel efficiency, used about 1/4 of a tank in 30 miles, acceleration and vehicle not shifting normally. This is the 6th time in two weeks it has stalled, and 2nd time to take it into the dealership with this issue. I've only had about 6 months, it was cpo and have driven it about 10,000 miles.

29 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/02/2019

Shifter when put in park sometimes rolls.

30 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2019

Tl-the contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. While driving mph the vehicle stalled there was an abnormal clicking noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed twice to an independent mechanic where the camshaft crank sensor was replaced. The vehicle was towed to an I. G. Burton Chrysler Dodge Jeep ram fiat 605 bay rd, milford, DE 19963(800) 796-9702 where diagnosed the camshaft crank sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who referred contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 61,935. Ap.

31 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/12/2019

Ride down the highway going 70 and all of a sudden the speedometer begins to decrease. I had all power, but no acceleration. I pulled of the road and shut off the engine. Turned it back on and it ranned fine. Not more than 5 minutes its was back no acceleration. So thank god I was able to use the force from the hill to cruise on home on the back roads. The car is only 3 years old at 79,000 miles. So no warranty!!! it has to be towed to the dealership! new vehicle should not be having problems like this!!!!.

32 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/03/2019

At 60,000 miles a whomp, whomp noice started from the rear of the Jeep while driving. Most noticeable at 45 to 55 mph on highway. Dealership diagnosed it as a rear hub bearing. Total cost for repair was $613. 00 before tax.

33 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2018

Sometimes when driving it stutters and acts like it can't catch up to the speed that I'm going.

34 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/11/2018

As a mother of three children, the youngest only being two years old, I do not feel safe driving my 2016 Jeep Compass. Every single time I drive the vehicle the motor randomly stalls out while driving several different times. My car is very well maintained and driven easily and even with the gas pedal under light load it stalls out leaving me immobile or the vehicle misfiring and jerking forward violently struggling to drive which puts my children and I in dangerous or potentially deadly situations. This happens all the time. This is due to a bad crankshaft position sensor and or bad wiring from the factory. When I type my VIN number into the NHTSA website for recalls it says my vehicle has no active recalls. There are several other Jeep Compass's of the same year and model with this exact issue under recall and my vehicle needs to be included in that recall as well. My car is only two years old it should be a relatively safe and reliable vehicle not something I worked so hard to buy and an affraid to drive.

35 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/16/2018

While at a complete stop, either at light or in traffic, my rpm gauge needle would drop to 0 rpms, however my battery is still active. I will then have to cycle key to turn vehicle back on. This also happened as vehicle was moving/approaching intersection with traffic light. As I coasted to intersection my rpms again went to zero. I then reluctantly was able to turn steering wheel (although lost power steering) to the right and continued to coast onto shoulder of road. Put car into park, cycled key and car turned on but took a several seconds for engine to turn over. Took vehicle into Chrysler dealership 3x for this issue and they couldn't find problem and couldn't duplicate it while driving it for a few days.



Compass Service Bulletins
Compass Safety Recalls
Compass Defect Investigations