Jeep Compass transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
342 of the 2,366 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Jeep Compass 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2018 (151), 2016 (44), 2017 (42). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Jeep Compass transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 15 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 19 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 6 | 12% | — | 21 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 6 | 13% | — | 37 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 19 | 9% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 9 | 11% | — | 33 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 28 | 20% | — | 48 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 37 | 11% | 22k | 47 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 151 | 16% | 24k | 46 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 | 42 | 18% | 39k | 49 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2016 | 44 | 15% | 52k | 21 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 24 · 2019: 66 · 2020: 47 · 2021: 29 · 2022: 35 · 2023: 44 · 2024: 32 · 2025: 38 · 2026: 22
Across the model years, half of the 175 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 10,000 and 49,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Transmission shift locked in reverse, when this happens engine will not shut off,shift will not move or disengage, have to hold brake peddle down or have accident. No shut down, had to have someone pull fuse under the hood to shut car off. Was in motion in reverse in a parking lot, almost hit car behind me.
After using the remote start and getting in the vehicle I was able to place the vehicle in drive without pressing on the brake or pressing the start/stop button to allow the wheel to move freely, in turn allowing the vehicle to roll forward on a hill without being fully turned on thus not allowing for the power steering to work and the…
My car power train went out as I only have the car for 11 months and transmission is not working well I was driving home and the car RPM was going to 6
Transmission over heats and then stalls out when it is warm out. The dealerships I have gone to said there is nothing wrong with the Jeep Compass because it doesn't act up for them. Normally make it 45 minutes in summer before it over heats. Cant keep car over 2,000 rmp in summer or transmission will over heat even faster.
I was in the kwik trip carwash with my engine on and in park, when the vehicle, ( a 2017 Jeep Compass 4X4 high altitude), suddenly goes forward and the only way to stop was to turn the engine off. The brakes didn't stop it. This happened on july 5th 2020, at approximately 9:20 PM in shawano, wi
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 17V301000 HighMay 9, 2017 · 4,705 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles equipped with a 6-speed transmission. The left front halfshaft may not be properly seated, and, as a result, it may disengage from the transmission and/or break.
NHTSA investigation
- AQ17004 Northwest Chrysler Jeep Dodge Sale Issueopened Aug 18, 2017 · closed Nov 23, 2020
- NHTSA opened AQ17-004 to determine whether Northwest Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Houston, Texas (Northwest) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-comp…
3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 25, 2026
- Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. Fault Code P120F-00 Present In Hybrid The vehicle may illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and the vehicle may exhibit/set the SYMPTOM: following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● P120F-00 - Supplier Fault Code (Hybrid Dual Clutch Transmission Module).
- Sep 25, 2026
- Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. Park Lock Piston Leaking Customers may comment on the following: SYMPTOM: ● Power loss - jerking while driving that may result in the engine being unable to restart after a stop if fault code P0B0C 7A is present.
- Sep 19, 2026
- Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. 1.5L Transmission Diagnosis Service Solution Customers may experience one or more of the following: SYMPTOM: ● Transmission warning light on and/or vehicle jerking. ● Vehicle is not shifting correctly or has no traction. This service bulletin is to provide a diagnostic guide for a transmission warning light on, vehicle jerking, not shifting correctly
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Jeep Compass
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Jeep Compass problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Jeep Compass years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2018, 151; 2016, 44; 2017, 42. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (20%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Jeep Compass?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 17V301000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Jeep Compass?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 30,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 10,000 and 49,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.