2018 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 927 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Jeep Compass overview page.
What owners report
“VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK OR BUMP HARD ENOUGH FOR SEAT BELT TENSION SYSTEM TO JERK YOU INTO THE SEAT. WOULD MOSTLY HAPPEN AT A CONSTANT…”NHTSA complaint 11142254 — filed 10/23/2018
“VEHICLE LEASED NEW BEGAN TO HAVE GRUMBLING, LOAD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION AT 37MPH. TOOK TEST DRIVE IN ANOTHER VEHICLE SAME NOISE. JEEP SAID…”NHTSA complaint 11141550 — filed 10/20/2018
“MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON, RIGHT SIDE OF RPM GAUGE IS LITE UP WITH THREE BARS. VEHICLE HAS LARGE CLUNK WHEN TURNING CORNERS AND ACCELERATING…”NHTSA complaint 11139409 — filed 10/10/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Jeep Compass have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2018 Jeep Compass: 150 of 927 complaints on file (16.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2018 Jeep Compass have in total?
927 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 28 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 18 reported injuries, and none 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.
