Jeep Compass Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 504 of the 3,493 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Jeep Compass (14.4%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2018, 2016 and 2017.
Transmission complaints
504
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
14.4%
of 3,493 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Jeep Compass transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 17 | 9.9% | 1 | — | 5 |
| 2009 | 8 | 12.5% | 0 | 08V528000 | 6 |
| 2010 | 6 | 7.4% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2011 | 37 | 19.8% | 0 | — | 18 |
| 2012 | 26 | 14.1% | 0 | — | 21 |
| 2013 | 27 | 33.8% | 4 | — | 20 |
| 2014 | 35 | 11.4% | 5 | — | 25 |
| 2015 | 10 | 8.8% | 0 | — | 27 |
| 2016WORST | 43 | 15% | 0 | — | 21 |
| 2017WORST | 42 | 18.4% | 3 | 17V301000 | 49 |
| 2018WORST | 151 | 16.3% | 8 | — | 46 |
| 2019 | 36 | 11.2% | 1 | — | 47 |
| 2020 | 27 | 19.9% | 1 | — | 48 |
| 2021 | 8 | 10.5% | 0 | — | 31 |
| 2022 | 18 | 8.3% | 2 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | 6 | 13.3% | 0 | — | 35 |
| 2024 | 6 | 12.2% | 1 | — | 19 |
| 2025 | 1 | 5% | 0 | — | 17 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Jeep Compass transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 504 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Jeep Compass years to avoid for the transmission
2018 Jeep Compass
151 transmission complaints (16.3% of the year's 927). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2016 Jeep Compass
43 transmission complaints (15% of the year's 286). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode.
2017 Jeep Compass
42 transmission complaints (18.4% of the year's 228). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode. Covered by transmission recall 17V301000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Jeep Compass years to avoid.
Jeep Compass transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Jeep Compass model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 17V301000 · 2017-05-09 · 2017 models
The left front halfshaft may not be properly seated, and, as a result, it may disengage from the transmission and/or break.
- 08V528000 · 2008-10-09 · 2009 models
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Jeep Compass have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 151 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Jeep Compass, 16.3% of all 927 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (28 complaints). 8 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2016 Jeep Compass have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 43 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Jeep Compass, 15% of all 286 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (7 complaints).
Does the 2017 Jeep Compass have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 42 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Jeep Compass, 18.4% of all 228 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (4 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 17V301000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Jeep Compass years have the most transmission complaints?
2018 (151), 2016 (43) and 2017 (42), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Jeep Compass transmission problems?
In the 504 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (12.9%), loss of power or limp mode (11.9%) and whining, grinding or humming noise (6%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Jeep Compass model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration