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2018 Jeep Compass transmission problems

153 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 21,000. 7 crashes reported.

owner complaints
153
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
21,000
crashes
7
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Driveline: differential unit
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Jeep Compass transmission problems in other years

20072010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Jeep Compass transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 38Won't shift 18Hesitation 12Harsh shifting 11

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2018 Jeep Compass owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN

This vehicle has had multiple electrical issues since time of purchase in 2020. It has been serviced at 3 different jeep dealerships and nobody can seem to resolve the issues. when it was first purchased it would have an issue where after i started it, every warning light and message would flash, the radio would keep restarting, and the vehicle would not let me turn it off. all of this would happen simultaneously. It then sometimes would start and be normal, but the battery and auto start stop light would come on, then it would pop up with a message that says stop vehicle safely, vehicle will shut off soon. It has also given us issues where it would not start at all, no lights would come on like it was dead. More recently, after an 1.5 hour drive, after shutting it off to run in the store, it did not restart when i came back out. No lights would come on at all. We jump started it and tested the main battery, auxiliary battery, and the alternator; and all tested fine. Now neither my main headlights will come on when i start it, nor any of my dashboard lights, but the radio and all other lights still work

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Transmission · NY

While driving car started to shake and buck and all the dashboard lights starting going off telling to service everything and then the gear shift wouldn’t work

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

My 2018 Jeep Compass, with approximately 107,000 miles, has developed symptoms consistent with the oil pump/oil pressure defects reported in other recalled Jeep Compass vehicles. The vehicle frequently struggles to start, runs rough with noticeable vibration, and has displayed an oil pressure warning light. In addition, the vehicle frequently stalls or suddenly loses power/slows while driving. The stalling and loss of power have created a serious safety concern because they can occur while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash, especially in traffic or at highway speeds. These symptoms have become recurrent and appear to be worsening over time. The vehicle was evaluated by a Jeep dealership. The dealer scanned the vehicle but did not provide a repair for the underlying issue and instead advised us to continue adding coolant as needed. Despite this, the vehicle continues to exhibit the same dangerous symptoms, including the oil pressure warning light and stalling while driving. I am aware that certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles were recalled for oil pump-related defects; however, my vehicle was not included in the recall population. Because my vehicle is experiencing similar symptoms, I believe additional 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles outside the current VIN range may be affected. I am submitting this complaint so that the federal safety agency can investigate whether the scope of the recall should be expanded. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Body, Engine · OH

failing component: Transmission / Powertrain. The transmission is jerking aggressively when shifting into gear. yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. I currently have the vehicle in my possession. How was safety put at risk? The vehicle jerked violently into gear while accelerating from a stopped position at an intersection. The force was strong enough to physically jolt both the driver and passenger. This creates a safety risk due to unpredictable vehicle behavior during acceleration and could lead to loss of control or increased risk of collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed? YES – the issue has occurred after the vehicle was returned following transmission replacement. The dealership has attempted multiple transmission replacements, indicating an ongoing unresolved issue. Has the vehicle been inspected by anyone? YES – inspected and repaired multiple times by dealership service department. Transmission has been replaced multiple times, including a failed replacement while still at the dealership. Warning lights or prior symptoms? NO warning lights were present. Prior to the failure, a whining noise was present, which was previously reported to the dealership as a suspected transmission issue. The vehicle was brought to a dealership for a transmission-related issue and has undergone multiple transmission replacements. After the most recent repair, the vehicle was returned with the issue unresolved. On March 22, 2026, while accelerating from a stopped position at an intersection, the vehicle jerked aggressively into gear. The force was significant enough to physically jolt both the driver and passenger. Despite multiple repair attempts, the transmission is still not operating correctly. This creates a safety concern due to unpredictable shifting behavior. Additionally, the dealership drove the vehicle approximately 3,000 miles while in their possession, yet the issue remains unresolved.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MA

Unknown / Check engine lights came on, and then a warning saying stop safely, the engine will shut down soon, now it will not start. Leaving me stranded. This happened multiple times but now the car won’t start and will need to be towed. I have asked several repair shops and done research online, and nobody knows how to fix this issue.

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 83,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, and while stopped at a traffic light, several unknown warning lights illuminated with the message to “Park the Vehicle” displayed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was running and shifted from park into drive, the vehicle failed to move. The contact stated that while shifted into park, the vehicle failed to turn off. The failure persisted, and the contact made several attempts to move the vehicle. The contact was eventually able to start the vehicle and drove to a parking lot, after which the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Transmission · NY

I was driving and my car just stalled and I could not get it to start again. I have had this happen to me over 4 times. My car is currently at the Jeep Dealer and they charged me over $700 telling me it was wiring. It happened again on 11/24/2025 and they have had my car since then and they keep telling me they cannot figure out what was wrong with it. Today they called me and said it was a circuit thing. There was a recall for exactly what was happening to my car. the federal safety agency Recall 18v-524 just that my car was not recalled. I am now going 2 weeks without a car and it clearly is experiencing EXACTLY what the recall says. over 3 times I was on the highway when the car stalled while I was driving. It just stopped in the middle of the highway the car behind me had to stop short. I had a bad panic attack. Why are they not doing the right thing and fixing what they know they have to fix. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I MAKE A COMPLAINT THROUGH YOU.

Filed Oct 10, 2025 · Transmission · NH

Shifting assembly failed. When the service center went to order it, it was heavily backordered (meaning many people with this Make / Model experiencing the same failure at the same time). Service center showed me that a thin rubber gasket is all that failed … it is no more substantial than a rubber washer you put in a water hose). Why a $500 part for a $0.50 failure? (Perhaps that is the service center taking advantage.) But even still why would Jeep put such a cheap part in such a critical location where it can break and become dislodged and result in you losing control of your vehicle drive train? Something feels very wrong about this.

Filed Sep 25, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 37,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that intermittently, while driving 60 MPH on the highway uphill, the vehicle suddenly lunged forward and backward. The vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed or released. The contact stated that the engine revved high. The vehicle was stopped and began to shake. The driver was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was restarted, and the malfunction, transmission, and service engine warning lights were illuminated. The message “START/STOP not Available” was displayed. The contact called the local dealer, but there was no answer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was called, but the phone hung up, and the automatic system confirmed there was no recall coverage. The contact attempted to use the website, but there was an error with the submission. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · FL

Description of Problem: Since purchase, this vehicle has exhibited severe safety defects, including sudden and repeated engine shutdowns at highway speeds, loss of power while driving, dashboard malfunctions, steering lockups, service ESC, dynamic steering torque service required, service hill holder, false fuel gauge readings, service airbag reading, transmission warming sign, and emergency brake engagement without command. These failures have occurred multiple times and forced me off the road to avoid collisions. They mirror known recalls on this model year and create a clear risk of injury or death. Attempts to Repair: The selling dealer (Coral Springs Pre-Owned Superstore) and an authorized Jeep dealer (Arrigo Jeep in Margate, FL and Arrigo Jeep Tamarac,FL) have repeatedly failed to identify or repair the issues despite video evidence. They claim they cannot replicate the malfunctions, though the vehicle continues to fail monthly. Safety Concern: The Jeep Compass shuts down without warning at highway speeds, leaving me stranded in traffic. This is an immediate hazard and should be investigated as a systemic defect. Requested Action: Investigation into recalls/defects on the 2018 Jeep Compass, enforcement of repairs, and accountability for dealerships that continue to sell unsafe vehicles.

Questions about the 2018 Jeep Compass transmission

Does the 2018 Jeep Compass have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 153 complaints about the transmission of the 2018 Jeep Compass, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Jeep Compass transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 21,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Jeep Compass transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Jeep Compass have bad transmission?

The Jeep Compass model years with the most transmission complaints are 2018 (153 complaints), 2016 (44 complaints) and 2017 (42 complaints).

Other 2018 Jeep Compass problems

Engine 484Electrical 381Driver assistance 79Brakes 67Fuel system 64Lights 64Acceleration 33Steering 28Suspension 26Visibility 23Airbags 22Body 10Seat belts 10Seats 5Wheels 3

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