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…
2011 Jeep Compass powertrain problems
moderate 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
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.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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.