Won't start in frost because of frozen water in the silencer (500X, Renegade and Compass)

Engine / equipment

Fiat 500X (2016–2020), Jeep Renegade (2015–2020) and Jeep Compass (2017–2018) built without a drain hole in the silencer

Period mentioned

2015–2020

Symptoms

Below freezing the starter turns but the engine does not start; on days without frost it starts fine. More likely after short trips.

Possible cause described

Condensation water collects in the rear silencer and freezes, blocking the exhaust. FCA bulletin 09-004-20 (also valid in Europe) says to drill a 3 mm drain hole in the silencer.

Check for the garage

Ask the garage about bulletin 09-004-20 and whether the silencer already has the drain hole; until then, avoid leaving the car outside in frost right after a very short trip.

Cost cited in the source

Short garage job: drilling a drain hole; ask for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database