Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2008 Jeep Compass Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
13%of 93 total for the year
Median mileage
90,658miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Jeep Compass, 13% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,658 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I just got gas and was about to pull into traffic when out of the blue my engine just stopped running. The radio and lights were still working but when I put my foot on the gas pedal I never moved. I had to restart the engine just to get going again. There was not even any warning lights on the dashboard and still aren't.”

NHTSA complaint #11072276, filed 2018-02, 96,316 miles

“Sub-frame cross member is completely rusted and dangerous, car has lost alignment. Lost control but manage to stop, car was in motion on a city street miami florida , ABS light, brake lights and 4x4? Lights are on.”

NHTSA complaint #11055614, filed 2017-12, 109,450 miles

“After refueling within 1-2 miles spits spuders bucks, then stalls! Safty is at issue of causing a accident or getting hit!!!! Make Jeep accountable! Happens evertime now 6 mos.”

NHTSA complaint #11230824, filed 2019-07, 206,000 miles

“The brake light switch shorted out causing the brake lights to fail, transmission to shift incorrectly (stuck in wrong gear), and melt electrical wires inside the dashboard. The first symptom was the vehicle would not shift out of park. This can be overridden with a release switch. While driving the vehicle to the dealership for repair, the brakes light failed to engage when the brake pedal was pushed as well as causing extremely poor performance from the transmission. The transmission would not shift properly, which caused speed and control instability. …”

NHTSA complaint #10594871, filed 2014-05, 40,155 miles

“I bought this vehicle in nov of 2021 took it to local mechanic who quoted me 1000 to fix it completely so I did a little at a time the suspension control arms and rockers completely bad! Now the vehicle only has130000 miles on it and the CVT worst transmission ever is going out which is 5000 to fix I can’t believe there is no recall knowing these vehicles have and are know for bad transmissions so now I am not only out a vehicle I am out the money I spent on buying this vehicle not to mention what I have spent to fix it!”

NHTSA complaint #11451622, filed 2022-02

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202527%
2024611%
2023612%
2022198%
2021911%
20202920%
20193711%
201815116%
20174218%
20164415%
2015109%
20143511%
20132734%
20122614%
20113720%
201046%
200949%
20081213%
20072911%

Other parts of the 2008 Jeep Compass

Body and structure
30 complaints
Suspension
26 complaints
Engine
13 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints
Other or unknown
12 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Electronic stability control
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Jeep Compass

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology