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Jeep Compass won't shift problems

60 of the 3,737 owner complaints about the Jeep Compass describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2018 model year.

owner complaints
60
worst model year
2018
typical mileage
50,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

Aux battery failed; start/stop, stopped at a red light car shut off in start/stop mode, when I went to drive my car went into limp mode and emergency break engaged and every single light on my dash came on. I had to turn car off in the intersection. Once I turned the car back on every light came back on and when I shifted it into drive the transmission slammed so hard it jerked the entire car. This has issue started around 60,000 miles. I have 131,000miles now. Being broke down in the middle of an intersection is extremely dangerous especially with a new born in the car and it reoccurs every couple of months. Also wheel speed sensor has frequently loosen since 60,000 miles. This caused every light to come on the dash and car go into limp mode. It happened the first time on the highway going 70mph. The car lost drivetrain we almost lost control. It’s has not been inspected by a “certified tech” but a backyard tech has. No accidents have been caused. Also oil leaks where the dipstick meets the block and has since I purchased the car at 34,000 miles. I’ve spent well over $1000 in main batteries and auxiliary batteries since 2020 (year of purchase) to fix the stalling issues each time they occur. If I don’t catch the aux battery dying in time it kills my main battery and I have to purchase both just so my car doesn’t stall in the middle of the road and possibly cause a life threatening accident.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 86,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled in the middle of the highway. The vehicle lost power, but was able to be restarted, and the vehicle drove in LIMP Mode to the dealer. The "D" on the instrument panel was flashing during failure, and there was an electrical odor inside the vehicle. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was unable to reproduce failure but serviced the auxiliary battery and reprogrammed the transmission; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2026 · Electrical · NC

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Powertrain/Engine Control System. The vehicle suffers from a total loss of motive power while driving in traffic. It is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle unexpectedly enters "Limp Mode" while driving at various speeds in active traffic. When this happens, the accelerator pedal becomes completely unresponsive, forcing the vehicle to a crawl or a dead stop regardless of the flow of traffic around it. This creates a life-threatening risk of rear-end collisions and high-speed accidents, as the car cannot maintain speed or move to safety. I am forced to operate a vehicle that effectively "shuts down" while I am in the middle of the road. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Multiple independent mechanics have confirmed the stalling and electrical instability. Despite replacing the crankshaft sensor and both batteries, the sudden loss of power in traffic persists. Shops have stated the issue is a manufacturer-level failure they cannot fix. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? It has been inspected by independent service centers. The manufacturer has not inspected it yet, as it is extremely hard to duplicate unless it is driven for a certain time at certain temperatures. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The failure is temperature-dependent, occurring almost exclusively when ambient temperatures reach 71°F or higher. When the failure happens, the dashboard displays flashes the drive sign(limp mode). There are no other lights or anything triggered to display what the issue is related to. These symptoms began roughly one year ago, and has returned daily now that it is getting hot again.

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Electrical · PA

The vehicle will turn over but does not go into gear. With all emergency systems lighting up. When vehicle was running it would randomly turn off or stall in the middle of the road.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · ME

Three times since 8/2025 the vehicle flashed a “coolant temperature too high” warning despite the gauge reading normal and no check engine light. Coolant reservoir was at appropriate line. This immediately caused the vehicle to enter limp mode after idling in the drive thru. The vehicle remained in drive with full power but would not allow me to drive or shift to park until i turned the vehicle off. It would restart and allow me to drive. The 4th incident happened 12/13/25. I was at a red light, idling, and when green light came my vehicle flashed the coolant temperature warning and would not allow me to drive. I was stuck in traffic for 5 mins and had to shut my car off to be able to drive. Thankfully in this situation the person behind me was paying attention and did not slam into me. I recently had the main battery replaced. On my way home last night the warning flashed and my car abruptly went into limp Mode while I was actively driving in busy traffic. Thankfully it did not stall and I was able to turn right into a business parking lot. The last two situations could have resulted in accidents and / or injuries and should not be looked over.

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 31,586 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2019 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost power with the check engine and fuel warning lights illuminated. The engine failure, check engine, transmission, engine oil, and alignment messages were displayed. Additionally, the doors locked and unlocked, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and then stalled. The vehicle was restarted after 30 minutes, and on the second failure, the vehicle restarted in approximately 10 minutes. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the Jeep dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were multiple communication errors and that the software needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred a month later. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure could not able to be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,586.

Filed Aug 31, 2025 · Transmission · MT

Every single time I seen the climb McDonald pass in Helena, Montana the car freaks out says service transmission now no matter if I do it at 55 miles an hour or 75 miles an hour, which is about as fast as it’ll go up the pass, it goes in the limp mode, shuts off the fuel pump says service transmission now every single light on the dash that could come on comes on. I don’t know what’s going on with it. I’ve taken it to the dealership. They can’t seem to figure it out.

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Electrical · IA

Car shut down on highway went into limp mode due to electrical issue. Several times already this has occurred. Recall is in place for this situation. Please help. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 20, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Vehicle does not start or starts and will not go into gear. Dash lights go crazy and various issues display on screen

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IA

The electrical system and start/stop system has went blizzark and began loosing power going in and out of limp mode the headlights no longer work on one side and high beam isn't bright anymore I've replaced the auxiliary battery and the normal battery has begun to short circuit and cannot decide if it's full charged or down to 8volts when their began happening it was during a rainstorm and I was left stalled in mid intersection ....even a jump wouldn't fix the problem. I had it towed to my dealership where the mechanics were unable to diagnose the problem but did get it to happen again going down the highway they then also had it towed back to the shop and replaced the auxiliary battery it didn't happen again until 3 months later now it's getting worse each day i will replace the battery but then I'd like to have my electrical problems looked into but I have read many 9the people having the same issues even after the recall of an electrical chip and I wander if it shouldn't also.be replaced a second time

Related recalls

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaftReported May 9, 2017 · 4,705 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Jeep Compass vehicles equipped with a 6-speed transmission. The left front halfshaft may not be properly seated, and, as a result, it may disengage from the transmission and/or break.
Risk
If the left front halfshaft disengages or breaks, the vehicle will have a loss of drive. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without using the parking brake, the vehicle may roll, despite being in 'Park.' Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will inspect the left front halfshaft for engagement and replace any that are not properly engaged in the transmission, free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T26.

Recall number 17V301000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported October 9, 2008 · 712 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling 712 my 2009 sebring, dodge caliber, avenger, journey, jeep patriot, and compass vehicles. A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break.
Risk
This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the PCM free of charge. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 08V528000 · Recall details

Questions about the Jeep Compass won't shift

Which Jeep Compass years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2018 (18 complaints), 2019 (6 complaints) and 2011 (5 complaints).

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