10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,069 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.

2013 Jeep Compass drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Jeep Compass Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Nov 022022

Compass

  • miles

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

This vehicle before had the cvt transmission replaced as it was over heating/inoperable. Complete replacement. Flash forward not even a year I was driving and thr transmission made a noise and basically locked up causing the driver to hit curb at high rate of speed along the freeway. The vehicle again is disabled with a transmission defect and requires replacement. 2nd transmission failure and will need replacement and caused injury during collision with curb at high rate of speed without any indication lights of a mechanical issue prior to impact.

- West Unity, OH, USA

problem #26

Aug 182022

Compass

  • miles
The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. June 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 aug 2022 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power.

- Belle Vernon, PA, USA

problem #25

Oct 182021

Compass

  • miles
The vehicle was taken in for a recall of the catalytic converters and PCM software, July 2019. May 2021, while driving at highway speeds the transmission temperature light illuminated and an un-commanded deceleration occurred to about 10 mph, it would go no faster got to the nearest off ramp and to a rest area sat for an hour, then the vehicle performed normally. May 13, 2021, took the vehicle to the repair facility no trouble codes were set but they replaced the transmission filler tube. A few days later the light illuminated again but no adverse driving conditions occurred. Oct 18, 2021, at highway speeds the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph a service engine light illuminated a transmission overtempt light also and made it home about ten miles at no more than 10mph, 19 Oct 2021 drove the vehicle at a few mph to my local Jeep dealer for check engine and no power. 22 Nov 2021 they had me pay them $3000 and they ordered a transmission. 15 Mar 2022 the transmission arrived they installed it and a transmission cooler and new sparkplugs cleared all troubles, I paid another $3,815.62 and got my vehicle back in good working order. No accidents or injuries were incurred by the sudden decelerations due to our safe driving skills.

- Dinuba, CA, USA

problem #24

Dec 062021

Compass

  • miles

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

Jeep first issues was at 89k, not shifting. Second issues was at100k transmission over heated. Dealer/ warranty had me changed the fluid and filter for transmission. Third issue, 130k transmission made a whining noise and stopped. Jeep was towed to the shop. After doing some research, turns out that the transmission on several these Jeep-??s have same issue. The transmission should be on manufactured recall.

- Wingdale , NY, USA

problem #23

Mar 182020

Compass

  • 102,000 miles
I purchased this Jeep a year ago very low mileage. About 2 weeks into it the Jeep started heating up. Long story short this vehicle at its 100K miles needed a transmission replacement that cost me over $3000 with such little mileage I believe this is a manufacture error., ive heard several of these Jeep compasses needing transmissions under 100K miles

- Newman, CA, USA

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problem #22

Dec 142020

Compass

  • 116,000 miles
Dangerously dropping into limp mode without warning or ability to override for safety. Early full system transmission failure without no options for repair. Finally died by making whining noise, going into limp mode and staying there. The excessive cost of replacing the transmission makes it not cost effective. Only option is to replace the vehicle altogether.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #21

Aug 072020

Compass

  • 1 miles

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

Cvt transmission over heating during normal driving conditions. Dangerously dropping into limp mold at highway speeds without warning or ability to override for safety. Early full system transmission failure without no options for repair. Finally died by making whining noise, going into limp mode and staying there. The excessive cost of replacing the transmission makes not cost effective. Only option is to replace the vehicle altogether.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #20

Dec 022019

Compass

  • 13 miles
2013 Jeep Compass latitude. Cvt trans heard up and stops all power. Have to pull over and let cool and repeat process every 10 miles or

- Milford, MI, USA

problem #19

Sep 012019

Compass

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Compass. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel seized and extra force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact also stated that the transmission felt like it downshifted while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the outer tie rod needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #18

Mar 172019

Compass

  • 89,000 miles
Engine cutting out and stalling, not getting above 45 without jarring and trying to stall out. I have had kendall auto group in soldotna, Alaska trying to diagnose and repair since March 2019. They have had star cases opened with Chrysler technicians. It's been a guessing game. They have returned the car to me several times saying it was fixed. Only to have it stall out on me. Once having to get it towed back to there facility. At times it was over a month before any communication to be.

- Kenai, AK, USA

problem #17

Jul 142019

Compass

  • 101,340 miles

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

Traveling at 70 mph, the transmission over heating light came on. The Jeep lost all power. After about 30 minutes the light went off. We pulled to safe location. Jeep still didn't have much power. Transmission sounded awful. Jeep was taken home on a flatbed. Now I am being told because it has 101340 miles the warranty is over. Dealership is saying because the code light is off they can't do anything.

- Wingdale, NY, USA

problem #16

Jun 252019

Compass

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Compass. While driving 70 mph, the rpms increased to 3,200 and a whining noise was heard underneath the vehicle. The vehicle started to lose power when approaching an exit ramp. In addition, the emergency and transmission temperature warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive going through an intersection at 2 mph. The contact was able to coast the vehicle into a fuel station. The contact checked the owner's manual, which indicated to allow the vehicle to idle and place the gear shifter into neutral. The contact performed the steps, but the failures recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who added transmission fluid to the transmission. Afterwards, the contact continued driving and the rpms increased to 2,700. The vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to reineke motors Chrysler Dodge (located at 1045 E wyandot ave, upper sandusky, oh 43351, (419) 549-9284). The mechanic called the contact two days later and diagnosed that the cvt failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- W Unity, OH, USA

problem #15

Jun 252019

Compass

  • 110,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle at the speed limit (60-65 on freeway) the tachometer soared to about 3500and the vehicle made a noise. It lost all power and I had no control. I almost hit another motorist trying to get off the freeway. When I turned left or tried to at the top of the exit the vehicle wouldn't move that's when the transmission temp indicator light came on. I finally turned left and the vehicle traveled about 2-5 mph. I stopped at a gas station and looked the light up in the owners manual. According to the manual if you put the vehicle in neutral and idle for a bit the light will go off. We did so and then drove around a bit sending it still wasn't right we then went to a service station who put tranny fluid in it. And we continued to drive home. About 3 hrs later, the vehicle tachometer started to climb again. We pulled over again off the freeway in safe location. I called emergency roadside assistance. Vehicle was towed to Jeep Chrysler dealership. Once the dealership had time to inspect the vehicle I was told the cvt transmission was ruined. This is the first time we took this vehicle anywhere further than 20 mins from home! this transmission is a known problem as the warranty manual stipulated. It's unsafe as and my family lost power and almost hit a car without any warnings. I've called Chrysler and they won't do anything about this issue. On this particular day we were in hilly southern Ohio on a hot day. Seriously how is it fair or even legal to sell such a vehicle that won't stand up to typical driving conditions without threatening my life? this tranny is junk it's all over the internet. The dealer we got our rental car from said he wouldn't buy them or sell them because they are a mechanical defect. I want this thing recalled before it fails someone else and someone dies in the accident as I almost did. 06/25/2019

- West Unity, OH, USA

problem #14

Feb 022019

Compass

  • 61,000 miles
Cvt overheats at approximately 45 minutes of highway driving causing the vehicle to quickly loose power and become undriveable. This then strands the driver for nearly 30 minutes until it cools enough and the warning light goes off and then can then be driven again.

- Lockport, IL, USA

problem #13

Jun 262018

Compass

  • 100,000 miles
In the summer of 2016, the cvt transmission started overheating. It was a very dangerous situation, as the car would lose power on the highway. You would have to coast to the shoulder and sit there for 20 minutes for the car to cool down. However, when we would take it to the dealer it would not show any error codes. This happened many times. We finally took it to another dealer and they had heard of this issue. It would happen very oftenon days with high outside temps. The other dealer replaced the cvt transmission last summer under warranty. However, this may as soon as it started to heat up outside, it started again.again no codes when they check. This is happening every day. Now the dealer refuses to help. From what I have found on the internet, this issue is way to common on this transmission.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #12

Jan 142018

Compass

  • miles
It is dealing witj the trasmission temperature. Driving with or without the air conditioning on for a period of time of a speed of 60. The light comes on the car begins to make a whining noise and the car begins to lose speed or power. I than have to cut on the heater at a high temperature to help with circulation to the area. I have to pull over cut vehicle off. For 5 or more minutes tham continue on until it starts over again.

- Americus, GA, USA

problem #11

Nov 032017

Compass

  • 88,946 miles
Transmission overheating while moving on cruise control for a long period of time that speeds between 65 and 75 miles per hour. Problem appears intermittent when ambient temperature is over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Dangerous shift to low-power mode making vehicle incapable of maintaining speed.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #10

Oct 262017

Compass

  • 76,000 miles
The vehicle was in motion going uphill 3 separate times, once in a 30 minute drive (70 mile round trip), the other 2 times, both 3.5 hours in( 300 mile trip one way) and the transmission light came on. The car began to decelerate rapidly and on the 30 minute trip, I had to turn around and start going down hill as the car would no longer go up hill. The 2nd time, I happened to be by a walmart, after a 3.5 hour drive, going uphill for about 15 minutes after decelerating to about 30 mph in a 70 (3-5 degree grade), and bought some transmission fluid and added it to the transmission. It appeared to do the job ( the rest of the trip was downhill), but on the return trip home 3 days later, 3.5 hours in and going uphill 3-5 degree grade, the car started to decelerate and would not go above 50 mph for the remainder of the trip (5 hour total trip one way). After making it within 30 miles of being home, I started running into surface street traffic and during the stop and go the car would accelerate very slowly and showed very little power. The car has 76K miles and I would not expect this to happen to a relatively gently used car still under warranty.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #9

Mar 182017

Compass

  • 36,500 miles
While driving 70 mph down I4 the automatic transmission light came on, vehicle would not accelerate anymore and was forced to pull over and had the vehicle towed. This has happened twice with the vehicle since buying it brand new in 2013. The issue happened with 36K miles on the car. Jeep continues to say that they cannot replicate the issue.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #8

Nov 192016

Compass

  • 53,000 miles
Recurring problem- transmission fluid temperature light has gone on and vehicle slows or stops abrubtly during 1 hour or longer trip on highway. Had the car in Jeep dealer 3 times. Contacted Jeep corporate directly, they didnt return last calls. No progress. Port jeff Jeep dealer (where we purchased 6 months ago) is servicing vehicle. Concerned about the inability to accelerate as problem occurs on highway- sudden drop in speed poses a danger. Dont want to wait till rear endeded. 4 events on 11/19/2016, 11/30/2016 and 12/12/2016.

- Coram, NY, USA

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