Problems · by component

2011 Jeep Compass power train problems

37 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Compass cite power train, 20% of all 188 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
37
20% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“[XXX] [XXX] , [XXX] [XXX] 2/7/26 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally express my concern regarding ongoing, critical safety issues with my vehicle, which have been increasingly dangerous while driving. These issues appear to be interconnected and involve multiple components, including the valve body, transmission, TCM, ABS module, ECM, and throttle body. These problems have posed significant risks to my safety and the safety of others on the road. On several occasions, while driving at highway speeds (approximately 70 mph), the traction control and ABS warning lights have illuminated, and the vehicle has suddenly lost acceleration. This malfunction seems to cause the car to change gears unexpectedly or, in some instances, stop accelerating altogether. As a result, I have been forced to pull over to the side of the road in order to perform a YouTube-suggested reset just to get my vehicle back in motion. This situation has nearly led to accidents, as I have found myself stranded in traffic, unable to accelerate, or worse, pulling into traffic where the car fails to accelerate, almost causing collisions with other vehicles. Additionally, during colder…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11716492
“speedometer doesn't work, ABS, Brakes, engine and traction light keeps on. THE SHIFT LEVER CHANGES BY ITSELF FROM D TO M while driving. ABS module has to be replaced at my cost when other 2011 jeep compass have a recall F 50 for the same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2024Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11627421
“I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND STARTED TO PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE RPM WENT UP REALLY HIGH AND MY CAR WASN'T MOVING. I WAS GETTING ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY. I HAD LOTS OF CARS BEEPING AT ME. IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE STUCK THERE FOREVER.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2020Power trainODI 11376252
“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS MAGICALLY STOPPED ACCELERATING GOING 55 MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY IN THE COUNTRY. THERE ARE/WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE AS THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE AS I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. CREDIBLE/NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT (123,500 MILES).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 4, 2019Power trainODI 11286839
“VEHICLE STOPS MOVING RANDOMLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND MUST BE RESTARTED TO GET IT TO MOVE. WILL BARELY ACCELERATE AND RPMS ARE EXTREMELY HIGH ST LOW SPEEDS. VEHICLE SURGES AND WON'T ACCELERATE. HORRIBLE WHINING NOISES. VEHICLE STALLS, OR WON'T MOVE WHEN TRYING TO ASCEND UP HILL OR WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THER MECHANIC TWICE AND HAD THE COMPUTER RUN DIAGNOSTICS. THE CAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS IS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS PROBLEM REGARDING THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2019Power trainODI 11278341
“LOSS OF POWER AND STEERING LOCKED. ACCELERATED AND ENGINE WOULD REV UP, BUT CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD TO STOP, TURN CAR OFF, AND RESTART. THEN IT MOVED. VERY VERY SCARY TO HAVE HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING! IN TOWN DRIVING GOING ABOUT 25 MPH.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2019Power trainODI 11255859

Showing 6 of 37 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2011 Compass problem areas