Not applicable to vehicles built for US market. 1.5L Transmission Diagnosis Service Solution Customers may experience one or more of the following: SYMPTOM: ● Transmission warning light on and/or vehicle jerking. ● Vehicle is not shifting correctly or has no traction. This service bulletin is to provide a diagnostic guide for a transmission warning light on, vehicle jerking, not shifting correctly or no traction symptoms.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Jeep Compass powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Jeep Compass have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Compass | 38 |
| 2018 Compass | 145 |
| 2019 Compass | 36 |
| 2020 Compass | 26 |
| 2021 Compass (this page) | 8 |
| 2022 Compass | 15 |
| 2023 Compass | 6 |
| 2024 Compass | 5 |
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.
Not 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 on and/or vehicle jerking. ● Vehicle is not shifting correctly or has no traction This service bulletin is to provide a diagnostic guide for a transmission warning light on, vehicle jerking, not shifting correctly or no traction symptoms.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Not 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 following: ● The vehicle does not operate in electric mode. ● Reverse gear is not available.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Not 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 following: ● The vehicle does not operate in electric mode. ● Reverse gear is not available.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Before 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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2021 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 2021 Jeep Compass?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 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.
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/2021/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.