YearToAvoid

2016 Jeep Compass Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 174 engine complaints for the 2016 Jeep Compass, 59% of all complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 58,000. A related recall (16V907000) covers a crankshaft/camshaft sensor that can work intermittently.

Engine complaints
174
59% of 293
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
58,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Vehicles stall or lose power suddenly at highway speed, sometimes accompanied by illuminated dashboard warning lights.
  • Engine dies without warning at low speed, including in parking lots and stop-and-go traffic, and is hard to restart.
  • Camshaft or crankshaft sensor failures cause intermittent stalling and no-start conditions, matching the pattern addressed by recall 16V907000.
  • Some owners report the engine compartment catching fire after the vehicle was parked and shut off, resulting in total loss of the vehicle.
  • Stalling is sometimes paired with the check engine, ESP, or brake warning lights turning on simultaneously.

When 2016 Jeep Compass engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 19, 2016, latest Aug 31, 2026.

2016 Jeep Compass engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter122016 Q42018 Q12019 Q22020 Q32022 Q12023 Q32024 Q42026 Q2
174 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (12).

Engine recalls for the 2016 Jeep Compass

  1. NHTSA 16V907000Dec 16, 2016Engine42,231 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.

Engine complaints by Compass model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201011 (15%)
  2. 201151 (27%)
  3. 201245 (24%)
  4. 201314 (18%)
  5. 2014116 (38%)
  6. 201543 (38%)
  7. 2016174 (59%)
  8. 201777 (34%)
  9. 2018492 (52%)
  10. 2019169 (51%)
  11. 202083 (59%)
  12. 202124 (30%)
  13. 202241 (18%)
  14. 202310 (22%)
  15. 20249 (17%)
  16. 20254 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2016 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA lists 174 engine complaints for the 2016 Compass, which is 59% of the 293 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Jeep Compass engine?
Yes. Recall 16V907000 covers a crankshaft or camshaft sensor that may work intermittently, affecting certain 2016 Compass units built between May 9, 2016 and July 15, 2016.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Compass engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 58,000 miles.
Did the 2016 Jeep Compass engine issues cause fires or crashes?
NHTSA data for this engine complaint set includes 2 fires, 1 crash, and 1 injury.
How does the 2016 Compass compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2016 Compass's 59% share of complaints tied to the engine is the highest among the years listed, compared to 52% in 2018 and 51% in 2019.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.