2012 Jeep Compass Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 14%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Jeep Compass, 14% of the 184 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission temp light came on and car lost speed and made funny whining noise. We had to pull off the road and wait till light went off. It was a warm day, about 94 degrees and driving in wy. Same thing happened again in ks on a warm day. The AC was being used. I've seen may reports of this happening to other cars with the CVT. I want Jeep to replace the tyranny.”
NHTSA complaint #11011948, filed 2017-08, 79,000 miles“The transmission temperature warning light comes on and I completely lost the ability to accelerate.left me sitting on side of highway with baby in the truck was almost rear-ended due to inability to accelerate or move vehicle until transmission cooled off only 92000 miles on truck please help”
NHTSA complaint #10907435, filed 2016-09, 92,000 miles“While driving on the highway the transmission overheat light came on.I had been driving about 45 minutes on hw. The Jeep started making a loud whining noise and slowed down. It would not go over 45. It felt like the transmission was sticking some and had a bit of a shake. I pulled it over and had towed to our mechanic. Once he looked at it the next day there were no codes showing and it drove fine. I see there are recalls on this for other jeeps, but my VIN was not one of them. Not understanding why this is.”
NHTSA complaint #11352430, filed 2020-09, 55,000 miles“On long trips (over 3 hours) in the summer, the transmission gets hot and electronically limits the speed to 30 miles per hour. You can stand on the gas pedal and only the RPM's will increase. The car must sit and cool down before you can continue your trip. I had my car towed immediately to a Jeep dealer that was close to where I was stranded. They did full diagnostics on it and kept it for 3 days and could not find any evidence of this issue. They told me nothing was wrong with my car when clearly there is an issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11231019, filed 2019-07, 126,000 miles“First my check engine light turned on and I started to lose power. I brought the car into a dealership to figure out what was wrong, they said it was a 4th cylinder misfire (this car is a 2012 Jeep Compass, only 84,000 miles), so they replaced the engine block. They hand me the car back, I had the same problem of no power. Now they are claiming a sensor is failing in the transmission and I will have to replace to tube compartment of the transmission. Not sure the exact sensor they were talking about though.”
NHTSA complaint #11061541, filed 2018-01, 84,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10231753Jan 14, 2023Emissions recal U67 Catalytic Converter Efficiency
- 10230438Nov 1, 2022Some of the above-involved vehicles may exceed NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emission level standards due to loss of catalytic converter efficiency
- 10228020Apr 2, 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10221150Apr 16, 2021Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10223509Jun 17, 2020TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman transmission R8142074A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid…
- 10223508Jun 17, 2020TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed Replacing OE transmission 05106789A$/68042789A$ with reman transmission R8142073A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference…
- 10177454Jun 17, 2020TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman transmission R8142074A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid…
- 10177453Jun 17, 2020TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed Replacing OE transmission 05106789A$/68042789A$ with reman transmission R8142073A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference…
- 10220106Nov 22, 2019No Start After Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Replacement and/or Reprogramming
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 7% |
| 2024 | 6 | 11% |
| 2023 | 6 | 12% |
| 2022 | 19 | 8% |
| 2021 | 9 | 11% |
| 2020 | 29 | 20% |
| 2019 | 37 | 11% |
| 2018 | 151 | 16% |
| 2017 | 42 | 18% |
| 2016 | 44 | 15% |
| 2015 | 10 | 9% |
| 2014 | 35 | 11% |
| 2013 | 27 | 34% |
| 2012 | 26 | 14% |
| 2011 | 37 | 20% |
| 2010 | 4 | 6% |
| 2009 | 4 | 9% |
| 2008 | 12 | 13% |
| 2007 | 29 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2012 Jeep Compass
44 complaintsEngine
36 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Jeep Compass
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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