TWO HOURS INTO HIGHWAY DRIVING, TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 40 MPH. TOOK THE NEAREST EXIT AND COOLED DOWN AND MADE THE REST OF THE TRIP WITHOUT PROBLEM.
2012 jeep Compass powertrain problems
moderate 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY CAME TO A COMPLETE HALT WITHOUT WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN MODULE AND CORE RETURN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU…
A MONTH OR SO AFTER BUYING MY CAR (USED) IT STARTED TO STRUGGLE GOING UP HILL. AS TIME WENT ON THE STRUGGLE UPHILL TURNED INTO STALLING. THEN IT PROGRESSED TO EXTREME DIFFICULTY GETTING UP TO SPEED WHEN JUST GETTING ON THE FREEWAY. SOON IT STARTED TO OVER HEAT IF DRIVEN LONGER THAN AN HOUR. WITH ALL OF THE ISSUES PUT TOGETHER IT HA BECOME VERY STRESSFUL AND SCARY TO DRIVE. WE TOOK IT INTO THE MECH…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 jeep Compass?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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