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2021 Jeep Compass Transmission Problems

8 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

8
Complaints
Jan 2025Oct 2023
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (8)

highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2025

Your transmission warning light comes on repeatedly when driving up McDonald Pass in Helena, Montana, regardless of your speed. When this happens, your car enters limp mode, the fuel pump shuts off, and multiple warning lights illuminate on your dashboard. The dealership has been unable to identify the underlying cause.

NHTSA #: 11684207
highPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: May 2025

Your low oil pressure warning light keeps coming on before your scheduled oil changes, and you're having to add 2 quarts of oil between services with no visible leak — suggesting oil is burning inside the engine. Additionally, you've already replaced both the start/stop battery and main battery within the first year, and the warning lights have returned even after these replacements. The owner believes this represents a recurring defect that affected 2018 models and should warrant a recall for newer vehicles.

NHTSA #: 11659703
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2025

I have a 2021 Jeep Compass and have been experiencing transmission bucking ever since purchasing out my lease. It is a known issue to Chrysler but they refuse to issue a recall. I have gone to the dealer twice so far. Once, they did a software update for the transmission per a bulletin that Chrysler posted for hard shifting complaints. That did nothing to fix the problem and it only got worse. The second time I took it to the dealer, they said they found nothing wrong and did a "re-learn" on the transmission. Again, it didn't fix anything. Why can't they figure this out? I have 79,000 miles and it sounds and feels like this transmission won't last 100,000. The transmission bucking causes the vehicle to shake and jerk forward when accelerating and braking.

NHTSA #: 11638648
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2025

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. There are SO MANY threads of this same complaint and customers having their Jeep dealer look at it with no resolve from any comment I've read. Please help fix this unsafe issue!!

NHTSA #: 11634603
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2023

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 #: 11552644
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2023

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. I have to wait 2 weeks to have it looked at by the Jeep Dealership. My safety and daughters safety was put at Risk because anyone behind us could hit right into the back of us while it malfunctions or oncoming traffic could hit us while it stalls while turning in a turning lane. I did take it to a repair shop and they couldn’t pull any codes as it was locked out but it was reproduced and shown to them the malfunction. There have been no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of problem prior to the failure besides 2 months ago, I was reversing slowly out of a parking spot at Maverick and it felt like something hit the back of my jeep. But no one had. Not sure if this has anything to do with the problem occurring now. Both very concerning. Miles at that time was 34056 and miles as this issue happening is 37000.

NHTSA #: 11546727
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2023

A common problem, which mine has, is a growl in the rear end at around 30mph. In forums I have seen people get a software update to fix, but it just changes the problem to around 50mph. If I drive with the traction control button off, or put it into manual mode, the sound goes away. On the forums the only fix is to replace the entire rear end. It's done this since I got it at about 20,000 miles. There are also clunks in the front end. The steering rack is designed to not be serviced by the consumer and you cannot replace inner tie rod ends. I don't believe there's any other vehicle designed this way. You have to replace the whole rack. One way for the dealer to make sure you come back for service. The plastic sway bar links go out under 40,000 miles and result in sloppy steering that could be dangerous. Again, on the forum boards, people have been replacing with MOOG that are a quality product and not plastic. The parking brake engages for no reason while the vehicle is moving. The auto start/stop feature is dangerous and nearly got me into an accident, twice.

NHTSA #: 11543692
mediumPOWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2021

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 #: 11430746

Other 2021 Jeep Compass Issues