2016 Jeep Compass Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
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 286 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Jeep Compass overview page.
What owners report
“I BOUGHT A 2016 JEEP COMPASS BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER ONLY THREE YEARS (72,500 MILES), THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING…”NHTSA complaint 11271335 — filed 10/27/2019
“JEEP WILL NOT START WITH KEY. THEN I HAD TO PRESS ON GAS TO GET CAR TO START, NOW IT DOESN'T START AT ALL WITH…”NHTSA complaint 11242735 — filed 08/09/2019
“VEHICLE IS SHIFTING ERRATICALLY, IT IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WHEN FIRST BOUGHT VEHICLE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IS JUST THE WAY THAT TRANSMISSION IS. IT…”NHTSA complaint 11232701 — filed 07/17/2019
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 Jeep Compass have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2016 Jeep Compass: 43 of 286 complaints on file (15%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2016 Jeep Compass have in total?
286 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 9 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 15 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.
