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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Jeep Compass powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Jeep Compass have filed 31 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 88,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Compass | 32 |
| 2008 Compass | 13 |
| 2009 Compass | 8 |
| 2010 Compass | 5 |
| 2011 Compass (this page) | 31 |
| 2012 Compass | 26 |
| 2013 Compass | 25 |
| 2014 Compass | 30 |
| 2015 Compass | 10 |
When does it fail?
Of the 31 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Jeep Compass, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 31 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed Replacing OE transmission 05106789A$/68042789A$ with reman transmission R8142073A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference with shift lever
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman transmission R8142074A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference with shift lever
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed Replacing OE transmission 05106789A$/68042789A$ with reman transmission R8142073A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference with shift lever
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Compass has a chronic transmission problem spanning the full powertrain system. Owners consistently describe sudden loss of acceleration and power, especially at highway speeds—situations where the engine revs but the vehicle won't move, forcing emergency stops. The transmission overheat light illuminates frequently, accompanied by whining noises and dramatic power loss. Some vehicles enter limp mode or shift erratically; others come out of gear unexpectedly while driving, causing violent jerks that owners compare to being rear-ended.
Cold-weather operation triggers shuddering and poor shifting. A few owners report the CVT fill tube rusting and dropping off the vehicle. Shifter issues are also common: sticking in neutral or shifting unexpectedly from drive to manual mode while the vehicle is in motion. Multiple owners took their cars to dealerships 20+ times with no resolution; dealers often claim diagnostics show "nothing wrong" despite persistent symptoms. One owner's transmission failed before the car reached 1,000 miles and was replaced under warranty; the replacement unit later exhibited the same behavior. Owners note that sister vehicles (2015 Jeep models) were recalled for identical issues. Repair costs cited exceed $6,500 for transmission replacement. Several owners report near-collisions and dangerous highway situations. This pattern appears across both CVT and manual transmission variants.
Same Jeep Compass powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission power loss and overheating
Transmission loses power or fails to accelerate at highway and city speeds, often accompanied by transmission overheat warning light and audible whining. Owner reports the vehicle will not move despite high engine RPMs, requiring extended cool-down periods (15–20 minutes) to restore function. Problem recurs, sometimes within hours.
When: Primarily during sustained highway speeds or hot-weather driving; one owner reports recurrence after transmission fluid replacement. One instance at 60,000 miles; another at 115,000 miles (barely out of warranty).
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration at highway speeds (~70 mph); Transmission overheat light illumination; Audible whining from transmission; High engine RPM with no forward motion; Vehicle will not move until transmission cools; Rough feel in powertrain
Codes mentioned: Transmission overheat warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Jeep's initial fix was transmission fluid replacement; owners report this is a temporary remedy that does not resolve the underlying issue. One transmission lasted barely one year before failing again. Transmission replacement cost cited as $6,500.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep replaced transmission fluid as temporary fix. One owner reports Chrysler extended warranty covered powertrain control module replacement after mass flow sensor and PCM were replaced; problem recurred within two weeks. Chrysler customer service advised pulling over and cooling transmission; owner reported being told only to 'document' the complaint.
Transmission fails to shift or stays in gear
Automatic transmission fails to shift from one gear to another without manual intervention or shudders violently during shifts, especially in cold temperatures. Owner reports transmission whines and strains with RPMs climbing high but refusing to engage the next gear until assisted.
When: One owner notes problem first documented at ~9,000 miles; another at very low mileage (52 days and 2,025 miles). Cold-weather operation exacerbates the issue. One new CVT replacement exhibited the same shuddering within 15,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fails to shift despite high RPM; Violent jerking or shuddering during gear shifts; Cold-weather shuddering in transmission; Vehicle stuck in neutral or single gear; Dramatic power reduction during failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced stick shift on one vehicle after multiple visits; another had transmission fluid and filter replaced. One owner's first transmission was replaced under warranty before 1,000 miles; the replacement unit later failed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership eventually acknowledged the problem after the service manager witnessed it; Jeep initially claimed 'everything reads fine' and found 'no issues' despite repeated visits. Transmission replacement available but costly.
Transmission fill tube corrosion and detachment
CVT transmission filler tube rusts, weakens, and detaches from the vehicle while driving, becoming a projectile hazard to following traffic. One owner discovered the metal tube hanging near the front left tire at ~40,000 miles and easily pulled it free.
When: One incident at ~40,000 miles (2016); another at ~9,000 miles on the second failure (2015), with the first failure around 2012 at unknown mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Metal scraping or dragging sound from underneath vehicle; Visible metal tube hanging under car near front tire; Tube has visibly rusted off from mounting point
Repairs/costs cited: Tube was removed by owner in one case and replaced by dealer in another. Second instance in same vehicle was not covered under manufacturer warranty (claimed design defect).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer replaced the tube after first failure but refused warranty coverage on the second failure, citing it as a design defect not covered by warranty.
Transmission stalls or enters limp mode
Vehicle enters limp mode or stalls without warning at various speeds, including on the interstate. In limp mode, vehicle is limited to very low speed (described as 'going down really quickly'). Transmission light illuminates; vehicle must be restarted to restore full function.
When: Multiple instances reported; one owner states problem has been ongoing for approximately 4 months. Another reports two near-collisions on the interstate due to limp-mode activation.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode reducing speed dramatically; Complete stalling without warning; Multiple warning lights (transmission, ABS, traction control); Vehicle will not accelerate despite throttle input; Requires engine restart to restore function
Codes mentioned: Transmission control module fault (one owner reports TCM not working)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports the TCM was replaced under extended warranty but problem recurred within two weeks. Another owner's vehicle has been parked due to fear of limp-mode activation on the interstate.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty covered TCM replacement in one case; no other manufacturer response documented for this specific failure mode.
Shifter stuck or shifting unexpectedly
Gear shifter becomes stuck in neutral position while vehicle is stationary, or shifts unexpectedly from Drive to Manual mode during operation without driver input. One owner's shifter has been replaced but sticking persists; another owner's shift lever changes by itself while driving.
When: One owner's problem started approximately 6 months after purchase; shift stick replacement occurred but issue recurred. Another owner reports shift lever changes spontaneously while driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter stuck in neutral; will not move to other gears; Shift lever spontaneously changes from Drive to Manual while driving; Requires multiple attempts to free the shifter; Vehicle cannot be put into gear
Repairs/costs cited: Stick shift replaced on one vehicle after multiple dealer visits; dealers initially claimed 'everything reads fine.' Problem persists after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Shift stick was replaced, but dealers initially refused to acknowledge the problem, claiming no issue was found despite repeated complaints.
Multiple engine and powertrain control faults with unresolved diagnostics
Dashboard warning lights (check engine, traction control, ABS, stability control, transmission overheat) illuminate frequently, often in clusters. Dealership diagnostics replace components (mass flow sensor, PCM, ABS module) but symptoms recur. Owners report dealers claim 'no codes found' or 'nothing wrong' despite persistent drivability issues.
When: Ongoing pattern; one owner reports 4 months of repeated light illumination. Another owner's problem recurred within two weeks of PCM replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Red lightning (check engine) and stability control lights illuminate; Transmission warning light; ABS and traction control lights; Rough engine idle; Lack of power for accelerating; Lights clear after engine restart but recur frequently
Codes mentioned: Mass flow sensor fault, Transmission control module fault, ABS module fault, Valve body, throttle body, and ECM faults mentioned in one narrative
Repairs/costs cited: Mass flow sensor replaced; PCM replaced under extended warranty; ABS module replacement required at owner's cost on one vehicle. Transmission fluid replaced on multiple vehicles. One owner cites repair costs exceeding $1,500.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mass flow sensor replacement and PCM replacement were covered under extended warranty in one case; recurring failures were not re-covered. ABS module replacement not covered under manufacturer warranty on one 2011 Compass despite owner noting the same issue triggers F-50 recall on other 2011 Compass units.
Manual transmission internal failure (clutch and throwout bearing)
Manual transmission clutch and throwout bearing components fail, producing metal fragments in the transmission fluid. One owner reports throwout bearing failure at 45,000 miles, necessitating clutch replacement.
When: At 45,000 miles; another manual transmission example at 115,000 miles after hitting a pothole.
Symptoms owners cite: Throwout bearing failure; Metal fragments in transmission fluid; Unusual noise from engine/transmission after impact
Repairs/costs cited: Clutch plate replacement required along with throwout bearing repair. One owner notes this is 'a very common problem for a lot of Jeeps with manual transmissions.'
Vehicle rolls away from Park or shifts unexpectedly while parked
Vehicle erroneously shifts out of Park while stationary and rolls away, or downshifts on its own while parked, requiring emergency brake application to prevent rolling.
When: Timing not specified for the rolling incident; one owner reports downshift events when vehicle is stationary.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifts out of Park without driver input; Vehicle rolls away while in Park; Vehicle downshifts while stationary
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle was not repaired; owner was able to apply brake and return to Park.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not contacted in the documented case.
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
On the reported date my 2011 Jeep compass 2.4l 4x4 was remote started and ran for approximately 15-20 minutes before getting in and driving off. The engine had warmed up about half way to operating temperature. The temperature was 13 degrees fahrenheit outside. Once I left and pulled out onto the street the transmission threw out 3 small and quick jerks. This happened 3 more times before getting…
When I drove it would seem to lose power and not accelerate like when on highway changing lanes. I was almost in a big accident, had to limp off mass pike highway to garage and after cooled down was able to limp back home instead of continuing to my destination, staying off highway. It often smelled hot. Since then it got worse just driving around town and made a squealing sound and now won't…
While driving the vehicle is magically stopped accelerating going 55 MPH on a two lane highway in the country. There are/were no issues with the engine as the car would not move forward or reverse as I pressed on the gas pedal. Credible/nationally recognized vehicle repair shop stated the transmission needs replacement (123,500 miles).
The transmission overheat light comes on often and causes the car to lose power and or stall. This happens on any type of driving scenario highway, residential or stationary. I will take my foot off the gas and the light will go off. The windshield wipers will come on my themselves and I will have to physically turn them on and off for them to stop. More recently my oil change indicator came on…
speedometer doesn't work, ABS, Brakes, engine and traction light keeps on. THE SHIFT LEVER CHANGES BY ITSELF FROM D TO M while driving. ABS module has to be replaced at my cost when other 2011 jeep compass have a recall F 50 for the same issue.
I was driving my car and started to press on the gas and the RPM went up really high and my car wasn't moving. I was getting onto a main highway. I had lots of cars beeping at me. It was scary because I thought I was going to be stuck there forever.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 Jeep Compass?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 Jeep Compass?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 31 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,000 and 123,500 miles, with the median around 88,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 123,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Jeep/Compass.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.