2020 Jeep Compass transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 11, 2026TXBrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   I drove myself and my passenger to our destination without issue. After the vehicle was parked for approximately three hours, I started it and drove toward the exit lane leading to the main road. I stopped completely before exiting and was traveling approximately 10 mph as I crossed toward the leftmost turning lane. Suddenly, the dashboard displayed a “High Coolant Temperature” warning, the check engine light illuminated, and the accelerator pedal became…

   NHTSA complaint #11763674 · source
2. Filed Jul 1, 2026OHElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle shuts off randomly. Restarts after stopping but it’s consistent as if the car over heated yet the coolant temperature reads 194-200

   NHTSA complaint #11747773 · source
3. Filed Jun 24, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission cooling system failed causing immediate failure of the transmission. The vehicle has less than 60k miles and is still covered by the manufacturer powertrain warranty. Dash lights for service engine and service transmission only came on at the immediate time of failure (10 min prior to full transmission failure). No issues were noted in the vehicles prior service 7 months prior to failure. The dealer has confirmed the cause of transmission failure is due to…

   NHTSA complaint #11746120 · source
4. Filed May 25, 2026COSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   While turning out of a parking lot, onto a side street, a suspension component failed without warning, causing the front axle to pull out of the transmission. The vehicle immediately became unsafe, as I was unable to turn the wheel (it wasn't connected) to get me out of the middle of the road. This was a sudden, catastrophic mechanical failure with no prior warning lights, messages, or symptoms. It had to be towed. I called a corporate phone number, to create a case number,…

   NHTSA complaint #11739927 · source
5. Filed Apr 13, 2026CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   At approximately 35,900 miles, vehicle failed a block test indicating combustion gases in the cooling system. Cylinder head gasket was replaced, cylinder head was machined, and exhaust valves were replaced at an independent shop at a cost of over $5,000. Shortly after, at approximately 36,300 miles, vehicle was towed in with sudden loss of power and would not accelerate. Diagnostic codes P1064 (cylinder 4 oil supply solenoid stuck), P0171 (fuel system lean), and P0304…

   NHTSA complaint #11730900 · source
6. Filed Sep 28, 2025OHElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Coolant temperature warning and sudden engine shutdowns. This has occurred multiple times in 3 months. started when car was at 50K miles. we have been unable to control the vehicle in traffic when this happens. Dealership (Dave Denis jeep-Dayton, Ohio) was unable to find a problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11690201 · source
7. Filed Sep 9, 202597,000 miMIElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the 4WD engaged and disengaged while driving down the road. The contact stated that the brakes locked up while 35 MPH. Additionally, the computer became inoperable. The contact stated that the battery was replaced, but the vehicle failed to charge. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The Service 4WD message was displayed and the Auto START/STOP feature was inoperable. During inclement weather of…

   NHTSA complaint #11685871 · source
8. Filed Jul 17, 2025MAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Driving down a busy street going about 40MPH and the car spontaneously turned off and completely lost power while I was driving. It was off for less than a minute and when it turned back on the yellow “start/stop function “ dashboard indicator light was on. The car restarted on its own but that light remained on until I got home and turned the car off. When I turned the car back on the light was gone. It has not happened again, I took the car to a local Jeep dealership and…

   NHTSA complaint #11674339 · source
9. Filed Jun 3, 2025MOElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I had to get my engine replaced a year after I got it. The vehicle has an overheating issue. The vehicle oil pressure sensor goes off. The emergency break comes on. I don’t know where the engine light flashes the EI had to get my engine replaced a year after I got it. The vehicle has a overheating issue. The vehicle oil pressure sensor goes off. The emergency brake comes on. I don’t know where the engine light flashes the ECS light come on the cooling and oil mix together…

   NHTSA complaint #11664718 · source
10. Filed Oct 18, 202498,000 miILEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11620687 · source
11. Filed Aug 26, 2024GAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    2020 Jeep Compass ran hot and started beeping. First was told it needed a system flush by mechanic. There was no prior warnings of any sort as the car has has had regular fluid changes (Oil etc) it appeared on 8/17/2024. Now its a 'transmission coolant fail' I have no idea how this happened at 91k miles.

    NHTSA complaint #11610856 · source
12. Filed Aug 22, 2024UTElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    This issue has been happening sporadically over the last couple of years, but it's starting to happen more often. When driving normally, the check engine light will flash, a message "Coolant temp too high" will appear in red, and the car turns off. Sometimes it will turn back on immediately and drive fine, other times I have to leave it turned off for up to 2 minutes. This happened to me twice on my drive to drop off my kid at school, and on my way to the office, on a busy…

    NHTSA complaint #11610277 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology