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P0420 on JEEP COMPASS

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
4
Most Affected
2007, 2012, 2015

What P0420 Means on Your JEEP COMPASS

Real JEEP COMPASS Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"Every time i fill my jeep up with gas not even 5 secs after i leave the engine turns off. now the check engine has popped up on my dashboard. i ran a code reader and it found code p0420."

— 2007 JEEP COMPASS owner • ENGINE • Filed 12/15/2020

"We have been receiving a check engine light on our 2012 Jeep Compass for code P0420. Reset the system but subsequently vehicle failed emissions testing. After some research we discovered this model vehicle and several others were supposed to be receiving a recall of the catalytic converters."

— 2012 JEEP COMPASS owner • ENGINE • Filed 01/27/2022

"The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, while coming to a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate immediately."

— 2015 JEEP COMPASS owner • ENGINE • Filed 09/13/2023

"The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving uphill, the vehicle was chugging. The vehicle was difficult to shift into gear."

— 2016 JEEP COMPASS owner • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN • Filed 10/01/2024

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P0420 on JEEP COMPASS

75%
25%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2007
1
2012
1
2015
1
2016
1

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P0420 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026