2016 Jeep Compass engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

108 owners have reported engine problems with the 2016 Jeep Compass, 59% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 70,000 mi.

Engine complaints
108
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
70,000 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine84
Engine and engine cooling23
Engine and engine cooling:engine:crank/camshaft position sensor1
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor1

Engine complaints across Jeep Compass years

5200721200981420124342014171082016403182018140822020213820227720243
Engine complaints by model year. The 2016 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k1930k–60k2460k–100k9100k–150k2150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 16V907000Dec 16, 201642,231 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.

    Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.

What owners say

  1. Filed Aug 31, 202679,000 miWYTowedEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The dealer was contacted, and the camshaft sensor was updated; however, several weeks later the failure reoccurred. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11760918 · source
  2. Filed Aug 16, 2026MDElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    Component: Engine / Electrical System / Power Train VIN [XXX] Description of Safety Defect: The vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of engine power and completely shut off while traveling at highway speeds. This total engine failure disabled the vehicle on an active highway, forcing an emergency maneuver to reach the shoulder. This incident occurred less than four months after an authorized manufacturer dealership charged over $3,400 to repair the engine's…
    NHTSA complaint #11757293 · source
  3. Filed Jul 31, 202659,000 miTXEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate, shuddered, and the air conditioner was inoperative, and the vehicle coasted before coming to a complete stop. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions.…
    NHTSA complaint #11754005 · source
  4. Filed Jul 17, 2026100,000 miOHEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited for approximately 20 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the residence. The contact stated that at the residence, the vehicle remained running but failed to operate properly. No warning light was illuminated. The contact referenced NHTSA…
    NHTSA complaint #11751088 · source
  5. Filed Jun 4, 2026OHElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The reason for the recall on this make and model is what I'm experiencing now. The whole car will shutdown power while driving with no warnings. In traffic the car will just roll to a stop with cars closely behind me. I bought the call September 2016 yet I just saw a recall when I signed up for triple a. The last 12 months I have been on n and out of shops trying to find the reason. Starter was fixed. Battery replaced. Cables replaced. Throttle body replaced yet the car…
    NHTSA complaint #11742017 · source
  6. Filed Mar 24, 2026COEngineOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control
    While driving at any time, the speedometer will instantly drop and the car feels like it's about to shut itself off. After a diagnostic with a mechanic, they stated this was the crankshaft issue; similar to a recall for other 2016 jeep compass. My vin is not currently associated with this recall notice, however based on these safety defects, it seems it should be considered under the recall
    NHTSA complaint #11726821 · source
  7. Filed Mar 6, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngine
    Continuously stalls out regardless of speed it has stalled on the highway, in the middle of intersections losing power steering. sometimes restarts right away, sometimes not. leaving me stranded in in the middle of highway/intersections sometimes in very dangerous places. It has had a recall repaired in 2017 before I owned the vehicle however it has had the exact same issues as the recall since I’ve bought it. I’ve spent the past few years trying to look up recalls and…
    NHTSA complaint #11722604 · source
  8. Filed Mar 3, 2026OREngine
    The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The driver attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle restarted. The driver waited for several minutes before attempting to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Midas, where it was diagnosed with a CAM shaft sensor failure. The contact was informed that the CAM shaft sensor needed to be…
    NHTSA complaint #11721711 · source
  9. Filed Feb 25, 2026INEngine
    The engine failed while driving on the expressway putting us in a dangerous spot on the outer lane. It was towed to Etscorn’s in Louisville, KY and we were told despite everything looking ok on the outside, there was an internal engine failure of some kind and it would cost $900 to take it apart just to find out. I don’t have that kind of money.
    NHTSA complaint #11720427 · source
  10. Filed Feb 12, 2026CAAirbagsEngine
    The Airbag light keeps coming on. And I regularly diagnose and service my car by the Jeep dealership and the diagnostic scan shows that everything is good with the car, still the airbag light keeps coming up on the dashboard. This is highly concerning and I'm afraid that it might blow up anytime while in driving. The car also has some transmission issue that is not showing up on the diagnostic scan report. But because of this issue I can't and haven't been driving on the…
    NHTSA complaint #11717450 · source
  11. Filed Feb 3, 2026CAEngine
    “The vehicle stalls while driving and restarts after cooling down. This matches a crankshaft position sensor failure. This has accrued while driving on the highway. Sounds like the Safety recall S89.
    NHTSA complaint #11715393 · source
  12. Filed Jan 30, 2026137,757 miCAEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled again. The contact waited for several minutes to let the engine cool down and the vehicle eventually returned to normal operation. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the…
    NHTSA complaint #11714498 · source

Other 2016 Jeep Compass problem areas

Back to all 2016 Jeep Compass problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology