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Engine & cooling

2016 Jeep Compass Engine problems

Owners have filed 161 complaints about the 2016 Jeep Compass's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 55% of all its complaints, most recently on November 5, 2026. They describe 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
161
Recalls
1
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Engine recalls for the 2016 Jeep Compass

Engine

16V90700042,231 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Engine complaints

Electrical systemEngine & cooling

ENGINE STALLING Vehicle: 2016 Jeep Compass Latitude 2WD, 2.0L Current mileage: Approx. 105627 Stellantis case: 985-23391 Check-engine light illuminated. Diagnostic scan identified P0344 (Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent) Camshaft position sensor was replaced. Vehicle initially ran normally Shortly afterward, engine shut off while stopped at a red light. I cycled the ignition and restarted it, but the check-engine light returned The next morning, the engine briefly had a delayed start A local...

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mechanic replaced the camshaft position sensor connector and electrical terminals. Only that connector and its terminals were replaced The problem continued Vehicle continues to stall intermittently while idling, particularly at red lights Engine runs normally with no warning; RPM suddenly drops to zero and engine shuts off. Dashboard, radio, and other electrical accessories remain on I turn the ignition off and restart the vehicle Check-engine light returns immediately, although it sometimes appears to go off overnight Chrysler recall S89 (NHTSA 16V-907) addressed crankshaft and camshaft sensor connector terminal issues on certain 2016 Jeep Compass vehicles. My VIN is not included NHTSA investigation RQ22-002 examined similar stalling complaints in vehicles outside the original recall population I am concerned my vehicle may have the same or a related defect, although this is unconfirmed Manufacturer involvement The dealership has replaced the camshaft wiring and ran a diagnostic on the vehicle I have an active Stellantis customer assistance case (985-23391) A case manager is coordinating with the dealership regarding my vehicle and repair history The issue remains unresolved Safety concern The engine shutting off without warning in traffic is a serious safety concern, especially at intersections. I ask NHTSA to document this complaint and evaluate whether these stalls indicate a broader safety defect in vehicles excluded from recall S89.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11775907
Engine & cooling

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 manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11760918
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Component: Engine / Electrical System / Power Train VIN [[redacted]] 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 air-induction vacuum and fuel systems....

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The sudden stalling on a high-speed roadway directly endangered the driver and a [[redacted]] passenger who were left stranded on the highway shoulder in extreme weather conditions. The vehicle was completely inoperable and required an emergency flatbed tow from the highway back to the repair facility. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11757293
Engine & cooling

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. The contact researched and became aware...

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of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was suggested that the contact should take the vehicle to a dealer and that the crank shaft position sensor wiring connector or sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the crankshaft position sensor wiring connector or sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11754005
Engine & cooling

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 Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine...

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Cooling); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the vehicle was repaired, but the failure occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11751088
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The crankshaft position sensor is throwing a code , and the car want turn over .

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11748989
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

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 still shutdown in traffic. I don't want to cause an accident.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11742017
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11726821
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

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 communicate with the dealership with zero...

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luck at all. I've been told time and time again that it has already been repaired and the 2 years warranty is has expired since. (expired before I even bought the car) Yet the car clearly has has not been properly fixed for the same issues to keep happening. Because lack of help to resolve this issue I have paid out of pocket to have these issues repaired. However again the same issues keep happening leaving me and my family in very dangerous positions time and time again at the mercy of other drivers paying attention. What am I to do? I Cannot afford to keep replacing something that isn't fixing the problem and leaving us in dangerous positions. Check engine light comes on after the car stalls but goes away after a little bit of driving.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11722604
Engine & cooling

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 replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The...

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contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. Approximately one year later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to Midas. The contact was informed that the CAM shaft sensor connector, CAM shaft sensor, crank shaft, and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the CAM shaft sensor was the only part available. The contact was informed that the CAM shaft sensor connector, crank shaft, and the wiring harness were not available and were on back order. The CAM shaft sensor was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11721711
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11720427
AirbagsEngine & cooling

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 highway for 1 year now. Because everything...

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when I drove the highway, after 20 min of driving the car suddenly slows down and does not move forward even though I press the gas pedal. And this happens while I was driving on the highway, in the middle of the highway. It is very dangerous. I think there is a factory fault with this car. And I'd like to get help with this. Thanks.

Filed Incident Air bags · EngineNHTSA 11717450
Engine & cooling

"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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11715393
Engine & cooling

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 crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced....

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The dealer made the contact aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 137,757.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11714498
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

My vehicle is experiencing the same symptoms as Recall 16V907 (S89). Crankshaft shift sensor but the vin was not bringing up the recall.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11714454
Engine & cooling

The vehicle is having issues with power loss while driving and issues with starting at times of cold weather where it cranks very hard for extended periods of time without being able to fully start. I took the vehicle to a local shop to be looked at. They did a diagnostic and physical inspection and identified the issues as a catalytic converter and senor issue. When they looked up the vehicle vin number is showed two NHTSA recall Bulletins: 16V907000 and Emissions recall u67. Jeep when I called them to...

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figure out how to address them said that there are no recalls on this vehicle. They wont fix anything. WHY are there recalls on the vehicle listed and they are saying there are "none that need fixed". Did jeep lie when I had it in their shop before and say they fixed them and they were not?

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11714309
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure had progressively worsened. Most recently, the vehicle stalled while driving at an undisclosed speed. No warning lights were illuminated. The...

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vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11680431
Engine & cooling

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 16V907000 Report Date: DEC 15, 2016 Vehicles Affected: 42231 Consequence: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash. What You Should Do: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor, 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. Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep...

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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. I own a 2016 Jeep Compass that is having this exact issue but my VIN is not included in the recall so I had to pay for the repair out of pocket.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11671901
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11663874
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11655543
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle repeatedly jolted and jerked, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: RQ22002 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11649716
SteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Car starts fine. After the car gets up to operating team the car will just stop running, very dangerous in traffic as it cannot be sterred or hardly stopped. The lightning bolt symbol appears on dash then car just dies. I replaced 2 camshaft position sensors and 1 connector. Car was fine for 2 weeks then started acting even crazier. I scan obd2 but get no codes.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11648485
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

My jeep compass falls under the problems of the S89 recall but my local dealer is stating my vin doesn't meet the recall. 1 it's a safety issue 2 I will be going down the road and the engine completely shuts off and I have to coast to the side of the road turn the ignition off. And start it back sometimes I have to wait a few minutes before it'll start back

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11640474
Engine & cooling

The problem happened twice, this month: First incident, waiting at a red light, light turned green, I took foot off of the break and car turned off. Placed hazards on, put car into park and turned car off and then started back up. Reserving out driveway, went to shift from R to D and my car turned off. I placed the gear shift back into park and turned the car back on. There was no warning lights or lamps when this happened. I called the dealership where I purchased the car to confirm if there were any recalls....

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They asked for my Vin # and stated there was no recall for this type of problem. I found online that other 2016 Jeep compass owners, did have the same issues occur and it was a crankshaft recall. Due to my manufacture date of 10-15, this was not considered a recall problem.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11637078
Engine & cooling

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. There's a recall on my car and the dealership won't fix it

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11634938

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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