Jeep Compass harsh shifting problems

Filed Sep 19, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · TN

I am reporting a serious steering/suspension safety problem with my 2017 Jeep Compass. After picking the vehicle up from the dealership following repairs/service, the vehicle was significantly more difficult and frightening to control than before. While driving, the Jeep will suddenly veer toward the shoulder/ditch or toward/over the center line even though I have not intentionally moved the steering wheel in that direction. I have to repeatedly correct the steering to keep the vehicle in my lane. The problem becomes worse and more dangerous as speed increases. There are also multiple popping/clunking noises coming from underneath the vehicle. The steering feels unstable and the vehicle does not consistently track in the direction the steering wheel is pointing. This creates a serious risk of losing control, leaving the roadway, or colliding with another vehicle. The dealership has previously diagnosed problems involving the steering/rack and pinion and has had the vehicle multiple times for repairs. After the most recent service, the steering condition became extremely unsafe. I notified the dealership immediately and provided video showing the steering/vehicle movement. The dealership owner responded that I should obtain an attorney and have my attorney contact theirs. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document and investigate this steering/suspension safety issue because I believe the vehicle presents a serious risk to the driver, passengers, and other motorists.

Filed May 27, 2026 · Steering · FL

Steering rack needs to be replaced per dealership. Reported loud clunking noise when turning. Not covered under warranty. Was told it was regular car maintenance. 49k miles with bumper to bumper expired a month before complaint. Have noted in forums multiple complaints for same issue yet jeep refuses to cover.

Filed Feb 5, 2026 · CT

Hello my truck is having issues stalling, noise like grinding, rattling, or some kind of clunking sounds especially during acceleration. It jerking movement. My car will shift into neutral by itself and sometimes it won't even shift into gear at all when trying to put it into drive.

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Acceleration · IL

The car suddenly would not accelerate over 20 miles per hour when I was driving on a busy road. The car has made clunking noises whenever I accelerate since I bought it 6 months ago. There is a recall for other 2020 Jeep Compass Latitudes that would explain this problem (W48/the federal safety agency 20E-037) but my VIN is not included in the recall. I think that this is a mistake.

Filed Sep 21, 2025 · Steering · TX

I noticed a subtle clunk noise about a month ago coming from the steering wheel and the front left side of the vehicle when turning the steering wheel at a low velocity and also when the car was idle. The noise gradually started becoming more frequent and louder as days went on. As I was driving the vehicle was not driving smooth as usual it almost felt wobbly when turning the steering wheel. There has not been any warning lights or warning messages that came on or alerted me. I thought it could possibly be my front left tire since the noise was coming from the front left side of the car. so I had my tires checked and had a rotation done. The car continued to make the noise and wobbly when I would turn the steering wheel. I felt the vehicle may possibly not be safe to drive especially on the highway so I decided to make an appointment for Monday September 15,2025. I brought my vehicle to the San Antonio Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealership early morning to get the issue checked. I had to leave my vehicle there due to the service advisor stating it would take 2 days for the diagnostic to be done. They inspected the vehicle and ran diagnostic. Two days later let me know their tech test drove the vehicle replicated the clunk noise and used a special diagnostic tool called Chassis Ear tool in order to pin point the issue and found that it was coming from the steering gear. They gave me an estimate stating the steering gear and outer tie rods ends need to be replaced. When I spoke to the service advisor he told me they would have to order a rack and pinion steering gear system. Stated the repair will not be covered under jeep train warranty and my limited warranty already expired just 4 months ago. My vehicle only has 35,500 miles. I keep up with all maintenance and multi point inspections have been done on my vehicle on time. They don’t know why the steering gear has failed and also mentioned they currently have other customer’s Jeep compass there with the same exact issue

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Steering, Transmission · TX

Since 20,000 miles I have had problems with my steering column. I first took it in back in August of 2023 due to a clunking noise coming from my steering wheel. When I first took it in my suspension was tightened but this did not resolve the issue. When I took it back in a week later I was told I needed to replace my rack and pinion. The rack and pinion was replaced but my car still had the faint clunking sound. The clunking came back a year later. At 30,000 miles I was told both of my front axles had failed and both were replaced. The clunking sound still remained but faint. Seven months later the clunking returned once again and much more aggressively (I was out of warranty at this point). I was told one of my axles failed once again prematurely and was replaced after sitting for nearly a month. When I got my car back after nearly 4 weeks i noticed the exact same aggressive clunking noise in my steering column. I returned my car back a week later for a new diagnosis after speaking with the service manager. The report came back stating that both of my lower control arms went bad and needed to be replaced. Also discovered was a bad intermediate shaft causing the clunking noise. The dealership decided to goodwill the service to fix my lower control arms since it was a dangerous situation to drive in and I had been driving my car like this for 20,000 miles since I originally took the car in. The dealership says they can not do anything about the intermediate shaft which could cause me to lose all steering abilities and cause a serious car accident. I no longer feel safe in this car and 100% believe this car is a lemon.

Filed Apr 19, 2025 · Electrical · FL

Batteries are constantly draining causing multiple failures with no warning such as hill assist, traction control, abs, steering, brake, 4 wheel drive and turn signal lights. I have had to replace both batteries every year since purchasing the vehicle. Date is happened is the most recent event. This happens yearly. The car will start violently shaking and loud clunking

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

Transmission hard shift especially when cold. Makes grinding noise when shifting into 3rd. We have not taken it to a dealer cause we bought it used and it’s 62 thousand miles on the car and 60 thousand is supposedly the limit for the warranty. Car has also stalled while making turns to the left or sometimes when driving straight. At highway speeds when I have gone and tried to accelerate more I push the accelerator down and nothing happens. Then all of a sudden the car takes off with a jerk and I have to hit the brakes cause it was not expected. Auto engine shutoff failure light comes on for no reason. Continually get number 4 cylinder misfire check engine warning which disappears after the car is restarted. Consumes oil like nothing I have ever seen always adding oil. Can’t check the transmission fluid level cause manufacturer did not put a dipstick for the transmission so I have to take it to the dealer to see if that is low. Don’t need the cost just for them to tell me it’s fine.

Filed Jan 26, 2025 · Transmission · MI

I have a 2021 Jeep Compass and have been experiencing transmission bucking ever since purchasing out my lease. It is a known issue to Chrysler but they refuse to issue a recall. I have gone to the dealer twice so far. Once, they did a software update for the transmission per a bulletin that Chrysler posted for hard shifting complaints. That did nothing to fix the problem and it only got worse. The second time I took it to the dealer, they said they found nothing wrong and did a "re-learn" on the transmission. Again, it didn't fix anything. Why can't they figure this out? I have 79,000 miles and it sounds and feels like this transmission won't last 100,000. The transmission bucking causes the vehicle to shake and jerk forward when accelerating and braking.

Filed Nov 12, 2024 · Suspension · 11 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at various speeds over a bumpy road surface and over a pothole, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormal clunking and rattling sound. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that unknown bushings and the lower front control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 11.