2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,768 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Jeep Compass drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Jeep Compass Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Apr 232021

Compass

  • 128,702 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was serviced at scott evans Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2280 bankhead hwy, carrollton, ga 30116) for unknown recall repairs. Additionally, the fuse and sensors were replaced however, the failure recurred, almost causing a collision. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 128,702.

- Ranburne, AL, USA

problem #25

Aug 252020

Compass

  • 55,000 miles
While driving on the highway the transmission overheat light came on.I had been driving about 45 minutes on hw. The Jeep started making a loud whining noise and slowed down. It would not go over 45. It felt like the transmission was sticking some and had a bit of a shake. I pulled it over and had towed to our mechanic. Once he looked at it the next day there were no codes showing and it drove fine. I see there are recalls on this for other Jeep, but my VIN was not one of them. Not understanding why this is.

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #24

Jun 102020

Compass

  • 120,000 miles
Automatic transmission overheats and slows down the car speed. When driving the Jeep transmission light goes on and you cannot accelerate over 45 mph. Have to pull over and wait for it to cool down and then it will drive again at normal speed until it happens again. Usually occurs on hot days and whether the ac is on or off but faster when it is on.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #23

Jun 182020

Compass 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine over heats at 60 to 70 mph and then begin to lose power. The car slows down, the engine light comes on. This has happened 5 times since 2019 while on the highway. Now the transmission is failing because it won't change gears and it makes a whining sound when you try to accelerate. On the city street.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #22

Feb 092020

Compass

  • 136,000 miles
Automatic transmission overheats and shuts done the car. 136000 miles on it. Dealer says transmission needs replaced. Cannot drive over 45 miles per hr. On highway when it overheats Jeep goes into limp mode and cannot accelerate. Have to pull over and wait for it to cool down

- Chandler, OK, USA

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problem #21

Jun 212019

Compass

  • 90,000 miles
The transmission fluid dipstick broke off of my vehicle. It is a defective part of the Jeep that should be recalled and the company should replace these engine issues which has caused an opening into my transmission fluid, which can allow unwanted debris/rainwater to enter the transmission and destroy it.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #20

Apr 152019

Compass 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. While driving approximately 10 mph over railroad tracks, the vehicle suddenly stalled and would not respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the engine reached 6,000 rpms. The vehicle became stranded on the railroad tracks. When the vehicle was powered off and restarted, it resumed normal operation; however, the check engine and another unknown warning indicator were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to turlock Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (1600 auto mall dr, turlock, ca 95380, 209-250-5800) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 86,000.

- Atwater, CA, USA

problem #19

Mar 292019

Compass

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. While driving 40 mph, the contact was unable to accelerate and the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and then drove to all star Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (11503 St charles rock rd, bridgeton, mo 63044, (314) 291-2050). The dealer stated that the VIN was included in an unknown recall regarding the catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the vehicle failed twice afterwards. During the recent failure, while driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and the engine failed again. The contact had the vehicle towed to century Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (13500 veterans memorial pkwy, wentzville, mo 63385, (636) 332-2800), but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #18

Jun 112019

Compass

  • 126,000 miles
On long trips (over 3 hours) in the summer, the transmission gets hot and electronically limits the speed to 30 miles per hour. You can stand on the gas pedal and only the RPM's will increase. The car must sit and cool down before you can continue your trip. I had my car towed immediately to a Jeep dealer that was close to where I was stranded. They did full diagnostics on it and kept it for 3 days and could not find any evidence of this issue. They told me nothing was wrong with my car when clearly there is an issue.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #17

Oct 102018

Compass

  • 48,000 miles
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.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #16

Jul 182018

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When at highway speed during hot weather and A/C on the transmission over temp light comes on and car starts to slow down. I pull off the pavement to allow the tranny to cool. Trucks and cars jam to the left lane to obey the law. Cars jamb up and sometime a tire squeal happens. I talk to Jeep and they say because that condition is described in the manual it does not warrant a fix by the added warranty company to fix this problem. And my safety next to the stalled car is dangerous. This problem has happened 4 times, always when driving during hot weather on highways.

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #15

Aug 152018

Compass

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and the transmission overheating warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Ashland, OH, USA

problem #14

Dec 242017

Compass

  • 84,000 miles
First my check engine light turned on and I started to lose power. I brought the car into a dealership to figure out what was wrong, they said it was a 4th cylinder misfire (this car is a 2012 Jeep Compass, only 84,000 miles), so they replaced the engine block. They hand me the car back, I had the same problem of no power. Now they are claiming a sensor is failing in the transmission and I will have to replace to tube compartment of the transmission. Not sure the exact sensor they were talking about though.

- Hilton, NY, USA

problem #13

Sep 292017

Compass

  • 42,000 miles
The transmission dipstick tube is broken in in 5 years with less than 42000 miles! no one touch it, just today afternoon, after I filled the gas, I found something stretch out in the front under the cover, I look closely, a tube! I open the cover, and found the transmission tube has been broken sometime! no one has tough inside, and there is no accident in my car. The Jeep Compass design must have defect, I search online, many people have same problem! also, could not pull up the windows, but could pull down the window, the electrical system has defects.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #12

Jul 182017

Compass

  • 79,000 miles
Transmission temp light came on and car lost speed and made funny whining noise. We had to pull off the road and wait till light went off. It was a warm day, about 94 degrees and driving in wy. Same thing happened again in ks on a warm day. The ac was being used. I've seen may reports of this happening to other cars with the cvt. I want Jeep to replace the tyranny.

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #11

Jun 062017

Compass

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the transmission dipstick tube fractured and could be seen from the bottom of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was not available.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #10

Jul 242015

Compass

  • miles
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 mechanic and he discovered the smooth transition transmission is faulty and causes the car to overheat. He said it was a matter of time until the transmission drops. I no longer feel safe taking my family anywhere in the car. Between the sluggishness, stalling, overheating and transmission my car is a ticking time bomb. If any of this happens on the freeway my family and possibly others could get severely injured. I have looked up online and found many others have this same issue.

- Lehi, UT, USA

problem #9

Sep 152016

Compass

  • 92,000 miles
The transmission temperature warning light comes on and I completely lost the ability to accelerate.left me sitting on side of highway with baby in the truck was almost rear-ended due to inability to accelerate or move vehicle until transmission cooled off only 92000 miles on truck please help

- Edgewood, MD, USA

problem #8

Mar 192016

Compass

  • miles
My daughter was driving the 2012 Jeep Compass home from work Saturday 3/26/2016. I was in the driveway and when she pulled up, I noticed a black tube dragging under the bottom of the car. I climbed under the car and pulled out a tube that was around 11 inches long. I took the part inside and started researching what could cause this to happen. I've read multiple people have had this same issue with the part just breaking off. We are having the Jeep towed to landers mcclarty Chrysler in huntsville, al on Wednesday 3/30 to be repaired. I hope this can be looked into as a possible recall because there is no way this pipe just splits like it did on its own. The Jeep Wrangler was recalled for this same issue. Please look into this. This was a 16 year old driving this car at the time.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #7

Jul 142014

Compass 4-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
Driving to work I heard a clanking noise. I approached a stop light and was told by someone standing by the light that there was something dragging underneath my vehicle. I reached my destination and once the car was parked got out to see what it was. A metal tube was dangling from my undercarriage. I went and got a coworker to help me. He pulled it out and told me it was part of transmission; it was the metal transmission fill tube. He looked under my trunk and pointed out that it snapped and broke off.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

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