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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2020 Jeep Compass Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
29about this part
Share
20%of 143 total for the year
Median mileage
66,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Jeep Compass, 20% of the 143 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“I was filling up my gas tank, the automatic stop on the gas pump never shut off. Gas began spilling out of my car onto the ground. I placed the gas pump back and attempt ed to start my car, my car started but shut off right after signaling my oil was low. I just got my oil changed a week before. My car is now at the shop and I am out of pocket to fix this issue. This was a brand new car and it continues to stall and won't hold a charge. After searching this issue it seems to be a common issue with this vehicle. Also I am told by the dealership that my warranty will not cover this issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11406522, filed 2021-04, 4,021 miles

“I did an oil change mid august and found bits of metal in the oil at 50,000 miles, Ive change the oil every 5000 miles. I haven't been rough with it and also every time I get on the highway or rev my engine up to 4000 rpm the transmission slips hard on the 4th gear usually. If I have it on FWD it slips as well. The Blind spot warning goes off randomly sometimes as well.”

NHTSA complaint #11485366, filed 2022-09

“We drove to the grocery store 5 minutes away. After being in the store for about 15 minutes we returned to go home. We tried starting the car and it wouldn’t start, message “High coolant temperature” came on with orange engine light. We waited 5 minutes, started again and all the warning lights flashed and the car locked up. Nothing would engage, even the brakes. We had to abandon the car in the lot and walk home.”

NHTSA complaint #11588246, filed 2024-05

“I had to get my engine replaced a year after I got it. The vehicle has an overheating issue. The vehicle oil pressure sensor goes off. The emergency break comes on. I don’t know where the engine light flashes the EI had to get my engine replaced a year after I got it. The vehicle has a overheating issue. The vehicle oil pressure sensor goes off. The emergency brake comes on. I don’t know where the engine light flashes the ECS light come on the cooling and oil mix together out of nowhere”

NHTSA complaint #11664718, filed 2025-06

“On 4 occasions, months apart, my 2020 Jeep Compass has given me a dashboard alert stating “coolant temperature too high” and the engine immediately stalls and shuts down. The first 3 times this occurred, the check engine light would come on and the vehicle would not restart and other alerts such as “service 4WD system” and “EBS not available” would display. At no time was the vehicle overheating or the actual coolant temperature above normal operating temperature. …”

NHTSA complaint #11511895, filed 2023-03

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 2020 Jeep Compass

Engine
79 complaints
Electrical system
66 complaints
Other or unknown
29 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Engine cooling
4 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Jeep Compass

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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