The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2017 2017
The left front halfshaft may not be properly seated, and, as a result, it may disengage from the transmission and/or break.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
2011 manual transmission with 115k miles. Hit a pothole and began making noise in engine. Took to repair shop. They found metal fragments in transmission fluid reservoir. Still shifts ok.
2011 Jeep Compass owner · NHTSA complaint
While traveling 45 miles an hour vehicle stopped driving. Engine was running car was in drive but the car would not accelerate. Several warning lights were on. The transmission control module was not working.
2011 Jeep Compass owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Jeep Compass years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Jeep Compass years are 2011, 2007, 2012.
What are common Jeep Compass transmission problems?
Owners most often describe lost power while driving, hard or jerky shifting, stuck in gear or limp mode.
Which Jeep Compass years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Jeep Compass years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2025, 2015, 2024.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Jeep Compass reliability by year. How we count