2021 Jeep Compass Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 11%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Jeep Compass, 11% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 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.
“Was backing out of parking spot this morning and got error message saying “coolant temp high” and vehicle locked up. i shut off and turned back on and it was fine. checked everything out that needed to be. read online that this has happened to other people with the same vehicle. this is a safety risk and i do not feel safe driving on a highway. or in the snow this winter.”
NHTSA complaint #11552644, filed 2023-10“Every single time I seen the climb McDonald pass in Helena, Montana the car freaks out says service transmission now no matter if I do it at 55 miles an hour or 75 miles an hour, which is about as fast as it’ll go up the pass, it goes in the limp mode, shuts off the fuel pump says service transmission now every single light on the dash that could come on comes on. I don’t know what’s going on with it. I’ve taken it to the dealership. They can’t seem to figure it out.”
NHTSA complaint #11684207, filed 2025-08“Several times a year since having my 2021 Compass, as I'm driving my car shuts off out of no where and a message on my dashboard lights up in regards to the coolant system. The car is never overheated when this happens and both of my batteries have been changed. It has happened to me in the middle of going through intersections, at stoplights, and while driving. It is NOT SAFE to have your car shut down without warning!! I have to put the car in park and restart and it starts up right away each time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11634603, filed 2025-01“I purchased this vehicle in july 2021. I drive it 2-3 times per week. Each week I put in between $15-$20 in gas to bring the fuel level back up to the full mark. The jeeps does not have good fuel economy. It definitely does not reach 22-25mpg. I drive it about 30minutes each way; with a few stops in between at about 40mph. Also, the Jeep makes a lot of noise to climb steep hills. The noise almost sounds like when you put the car in a lower gear and the car is trying to rev up to the next gear.”
NHTSA complaint #11430746, filed 2021-08“When I was driving all a sudden it started having a weird chugging feeling. I was going 40 MPH. Then when I got to a stop sign, my vehicle completely shut off. I have to hit the button to turn back on as it was not the Auto Start and stop feature. I made it home and as I pulled into my driveway it shut off again. When I start it, just it warming up it shuts off. When I come to a stop sign or traffic light it shuts up in the middle of the intersection. All while this is happening the emergency brake flips on without me turning it on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11546727, filed 2023-09Related service bulletins
- 11037469Sep 19, 2026Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. 1.5L Transmission Diagnosis Service Solution Customers may experience one or more of the following: SYMPTOM: ● Transmission…
- 11034905Jun 30, 2026Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. 1.5L Transmission Diagnosis Service Solution Customers may experience one or more of the following: SYMPTOM: ● Transmission…
- 11033330May 28, 2026Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. 1.5L Transmission Diagnosis Service Solution Customers may experience one or more of the following: ● Transmission warning light…
- 11032819May 6, 2026Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. Vehicle Does Not Operate In Electric Mode And/Or Reverse Gear Is Unavailable Customers may experience one or more of the…
- 11032642May 6, 2026Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. Vehicle Does Not Operate In Electric Mode And/Or Reverse Gear Is Unavailable Customers may experience one or more of the…
- 11030018Mar 2, 2026Before replacing the RDM, please be aware that NVH from differential gears is typical and within the acceptable limits. Do not replace RDM for NVH issue.
- 11024056Oct 2, 2025948TE Transmission Reaction Shaft Service Bushing Kit Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle may exhibit/set the following…
- 11015895Mar 22, 2025"Various Models - Engine Valley Cap (Flywheel Side) - Oil Leakage - Service Solution Customers may experience the following: ● Oil leaks from the engine compartment…
- 10248963Nov 21, 2023Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates
- 10239916May 2, 2023Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers may experience the following: ? Vehicle repeatedly cranks when Engine Stop/Start (ESS) is active but engine doesn?t…
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 2021 Jeep Compass
34 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsLane departure
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Jeep Compass
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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