2012 Jeep Compass Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 184 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Jeep Compass overview page.
What owners report
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11120855 — filed 08/18/2018
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11120422 — filed 08/16/2018
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11061541 — filed 01/09/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Jeep Compass have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Jeep Compass: 26 of 184 complaints on file (14.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Jeep Compass have in total?
184 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 3 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 2 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
