Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Jeep Compass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The vehicle has a problem that it will stall out after filling up with gas. The timing of the stall out is such that within a minute or two of leaving the gas station and pulling into traffic, the vehicle will buck and the motor will shut off. when this happens, the vehicle also loses power steering and brakes. This creates an INCREDIBLY dangerous situation as the driver essentially has no control any longer. It is a consistent, repeatable problem that occurs every time the vehicle is filled with gas.
Upon driving on the highway the engine begins to make a hissing sound . Then the the car begins to feel like its slowly braking. From there It slowly loses power . The accelerator does nothing. This happened when my son I his [redacted] was drive me to airport through [redacted] mountains. Had to pull over many times eventually getting and Uber from gas station to make flight. Very unsafe condition and is need of repairs
Cvt transmission slips cause car to stumble in pulling out from stop when turning front wheels feel as if skipping n or not turning does this until transmission shifts then goes away. If cut transition control it does drive little better ti transmission shifts... .had 2shop look at jeep..both stated cvt transmislipping / failing ... Less then 150000 miles on vehicle Transmission has been inspected n fluid checked on several occasions fluid is never low
Vehicle stopped acceleration at highway speeds on way to work in narrow highway stopping traffic and semitrucks narrowly missing collision. Dealership states the transmission cvt was leaking and therefore caused the issue that costly repairs are unaffordable for me. Bought used from private party a month before the incident now leaving me no funds to repair and no transportation to return to work.
The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH the vehicle stop accelerating. The vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehilce local dealer where it was due to the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a opened case. The failure mileage was unknown.
Jeep Compass stalls after refueling in motion on highway, steering locks up when car stalls and makes Jeep uncontrollable. Had Jeep towed to dealer and they found a bad charcoal canister was "full of fuel" replaced canister drove for one week and refueled managed to go 1 mile and Jeep stalled again at about 45 MPH . Got Jeep stopped and restarted managed to get the last 1/2 mile home and it stalled again pulling in drive way and almost ran thru the front of my house before stopping. Extremely unsafe car returning back to the dealer service dept for the 3rd time . After reading online I have found this to be a common issue on the Jeep Compass some resulting in accidents from loss of control. I am finding the rollover valve is bad allowing fuel to be pushed back thru the EVAP system causing the stall
While coming to a stop, at a light in heavy rush hour traffic, upon applying the brakes felt sharp jerk in steering with a loud snap noise. Not knowing what it was when light changed and I proceeded forward aprox. 2-3ft when car came to a sudden stop jerking to the left. Immeadiately placed car in park and looked out driver side window to see front left wheel angled back aprox 35 degrees and jamed into fender well. Called tow company and police arrived to direct and divert traffic, no police report made by police because no injuries or other vehicles involved. Tow truck driver & police both stated I was fortunate, because had I been going down the road when it happend it could been very serious and/or fatal to not only me but others as well. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle and pulling out of the parking lot at 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The failure recurred after refueling the vehicle. In addition, the contact also stated that there was a fuel odor emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel cap needed to be replaced, the fuel injection system needed to be flushed and a tune up was needed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. On another occasion, the contact stated that the transmission hesitated to shift gears and was jerking as if it was going to stall. The transmission was replaced on 6/30/13. The failure recurred and it was diagnosed that the oxygen sensors and the o2 harness needed to be replaced. …
The car lost power while driving down vermont in torrance even though the engine was on. I had to pull over to the curb. Earlier that week on Sunday aug 26, 2015 I had to have my battery jumped by aaa. Instead of driving around I let the car run for half an hour. I revved the engine and the RPM stopped working although the engine was still on. I started the car the next day and it had clunking sounds while driving at lower speeds which disappeared upon driving freeway speeds. Upon trying to park the car at work it jerked while in reverse. I drove the car the next few days until it failed on aug 31st while driving home on vermont. The car had to be towed to the scott robinson Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership in torrance, ca. Testing there revealed the car needed a whole new transmission at only 70,000 miles. They said it was not due to any fault of mine. …
This Jeep Compass was purchased for our college age daughter in March 2019, today while driving, her rear driver side wheel made a loud noise then felt like it 'dropped' and upon getting stopped, she didn't wreck thank god, as she was pulling into our drive. Upon inspection it was discovered that her rear crossmember had rusted into. I searched and found that there had at one time been a recall on this particular part due to excessive rust from the salt belt states. We are in ky but when we purchased the vehicle it was titled in michigan, which is most definitely in that salt belt. I am not sure why this recall was not completed by the former owner but I believe it should be corrected no matter the age of the vehicle. This could have caused my daughter to be in a very serious accident. We had no information about any recall that had previously been issued.
Transmission complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Jeep Compass, 9% of the model year's 435 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Jeep Compass transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Jeep Compass, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Jeep Compass transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.