Nightmare ownership with a Compass: Want to sell it after just 80 days

It's taken a toll on my family and thoughts of selling this beast are crossing our minds as not sure when it may again stop while driving.

BHPian vijucg recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Dear All,

Just after 80 days into my new purchase of the 4×4 S model, I had my own share of nightmares. Last evening while returning to Bangalore from a family function (100 km outside Bangalore), my Jeep suddenly stopped while driving on a highway. Just missed a major road mishap as the lorry following me had a tough call negotiating brakes. I think my family survived a close call.

I had to reach out to my sales rep for help around 11 pm as my vehicle was down near no man's land. My two kids were horrified.

It took about an hour post my call, at around 12 am to get some traction and another 90 minutes to get towing and cab, both arranged by toll-free number. This could happen only after my 30+ calls with Jeep folks.

My family stayed in the car most of the time as it was midnight and very cold, and when the towing vehicle came, the vehicle did not start. It took him at least another 1 hour to figure out a way to bring the car to neutral and off parking, and finally, we were able to load the car onto a towing vehicle.

I am so angry with this incident and really concerned about the quality of the vehicle. It's taken a toll on my family and thoughts of selling this beast are crossing our minds as not sure when it may again stop while driving.

Yet to hear from the Jeep and according to the initial analysis, my battery did not charge and it seems the alternator has some issue. Against the required 14+ should be the volts, and mine was at 10 to 11 based on the info displayed. I will keep you posted for awareness and decision to buy your next Jeep.

Update: Just got a call from the technician and he says the rocker arms in the engine failed and caused teething issues which resulted in no power to the battery. I am not sure how all these things work but I am really concerned now about if I have to push further. Please share your valuable input.

Here's what BHPian Kosfactor had to say on the matter:

Now that escalated very quickly!

I suggest getting it repaired with a complimentary extended warranty to offset your bad experience, perhaps with a few free services thrown in. Given their high ticket launch recently (GC), they should be careful how they deal with a BHPian.

I suggest not asking for engine replacement because that is going to take a long time and the chances of many bits and pieces not being done properly are high.

Here's what BHPian Jaggu had to say on the matter:

Car replacement or complete engine replacement, do not compromise beyond this. Totally unacceptable failure in a new car and jeep better honour the warranty or take them to court.

Here's what BHPian Maverick5490 had to say on the matter:

Did your engine fail/stall with a mechanical clatter or there was a power outage? Because a rocker arm failure will cause a complete engine failure (Valves/camshafts/pistons) and nothing to do with Battery/alternator.

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say on the matter:

Rocker arm failure and charging problems are very odd, they are not related at all.

In my opinion, a rocker arm failure is not necessarily catastrophic. When they fail, they usually break, in which case the respective valve simply doesn’t open. Your engine might still run, but not very well.

Only if due to the rocker failure the respective valve would remain open and really stuck could you see further, possibly, damage to other engine components. It would also happen instantly and you would hear some awful noise as the engine stops.

Based on the very first post, I would think this an alternator problem, although usually, you would also see a red not charging indication on the dashboard. It might be the battery too.

Not sure how things work on modern Jeeps, but on my old Cherokee, the voltage regulator is not built onto the alternator, but is part of the TCM. Which would be a real PITA if that would be the problem.

The good news: any competent mechanic with access to a voltmeter and a battery charge tester and a proper OBD scanner, should be able to diagnose this in a matter of minutes.

Good luck and let us know what they find.

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