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 2014 Jeep Compass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the warning message "Automatic Transmission overheating " appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle began to stall. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for a short period. The contact stated as she restarted the vehicle, she was able to drive to her destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the automatic transmission system was overheating, and the thermostat needed to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who informed the contact that they could not provide further assistance and advised the contact to turn off the vehicle whenever the failure reoccurred so the vehicle could cool off. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2014 Jeep Compass. While driving, the vehicle feels as though the passenger-side front wheel is going to snap off at any moment. The sensation and noise appear to come from the wheel or axle area, and the instability is strong enough that the vehicle does not feel safe to operate. I have taken the vehicle to multiple mechanics for inspections and test drives. Despite these efforts, no one has been able to locate the source of the problem or identify any faulty components. Although the mechanics report finding nothing wrong, the issue remains and makes the vehicle extremely concerning to drive on public roads. Because the problem affects steering stability and overall safety, I believe this may be a potential defect. …
While driving, car completely shuts off. All lights and signals will blink for a quick second, then shuts off. Keyhole will not turn to turn car on, no clicking sound that car is attempting to turn on, unable to turn on emergency lights, can't move to neutral or turn steering wheel, everything locks. Happened twice in the middle of the street. After a few mins (20 mins or more) car turns on again for a few mins before turning off again. Full gas, battery and transmission checked and still working. Vehicle was up to date with oil changes and recalls.
Thermostat keeps going to hot or stops working and drops to cold. Replaced thermostat coolant sensor since that's what the code popped up. Didn't work it continues to out. Radiator cap is collecting engine oil and not coolant. Engine oil is getting into my radiator hose. I had just got my radiator and stuff replaced by the dealership. I only had it for 6 months and been putting a lot of money in it and I'm still having engine and thermostat and radiator problems. Also it keeps smoking when it already has coolant in it.
I took my car to be inspected for yearly registration. I was told by the repair shop that I have parts of the subframe and suspension that are excessively rusted, to the point where they are a safety concern and have to be replaced. Other model years of the first generation Jeep Compass have been issued extended warranties on those parts, and I believe it should be extended to the entire first generation of the Jeep Compass.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle begin to shudder back and forth. The contact was able to pull over and stop the vehicle and began to smell burning wires inside of the vehicle. The contact stated they started seeing smoke coming thru the vent inside of the vehicle. The contact exit out of the vehicle and notice fire coming from underneath the front hood. The contact stated a person came with a fire extinguisher to try to put out the fire but was not successful. The fire department did arrive to the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. No one was injured. There was no warning light illuminated from the vehicle. The vehicle was not towed but left at the scene. The vehicle was not inspected, diagnosed or repaired. The contact did call local dealer ennis Ford, inc. …
My oil pressure and check engine light kept turning off and on. I contacted the Jeep dealership in regards to the issue, and they advised me it was not dangerous. The problem continued so I attempted to transport my vehicle to my mechanic, and as I was transporting the vehicle I heard a loud "pop!" from under the hood. The car began to decelerate causing me to have to pull safely to the side of the road from three lanes over. The dash board proceeded to light up and a strange smell began to come through the vehicle. My associate and I got out of the vehicle to check under the hood and found that the vehicle was on fire. We quickly grabbed our belongs and moved a safe distance away from the vehicle. The vehicle was engulfed in flames within 15 minutes and remained on fire until the fire department arrived to extinguish it. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Jeep Compass. While parking, the vehicle was shifted into reverse; however, instead of traveling backwards, the vehicle went forward. As a result, the contact's vehicle struck a parked vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was not made of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 46,000. The VIN was not provided. Contact states this is the second occurence.
I was slowly pulling into a parking space in front of local pharmacy. As I was about to put the SUV into park the vehicle suddenly accelerated with my foot on the brake and then jumped two curbstones and went across the front entrance to the store and then hit a parked Toyota SUV and pushed the vehicle back four feet and then finally came to a stop.
I have owned this Jeep Compass since July 2014 in the time I have owned it , it has lost power and stopped functioning as I was driving betweeen 55 and 65 miles/ hour 4 times on a very busy 5 lane highway. 1 of those times I had to have it towed . The other times after leaving it sit for approximately 30 minutes, it would restart.the time it was towed, the only thing they could find is the battery was low so they replaced it. Another time at 33,000 miles, they found the transmission was failing so they replaced the transmission. Last month , it died again in the same busy highway and we were almost hit by an 18 wheel truck while trying to get it off the road. I let it sit for 30 minutes and it started again just like the other times. I took it to wallace Jeep in stuart florida where the service manager did a diagnostic on it and said he could find nothing wrong. …
Transmission complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Jeep Compass, 11% of the model year's 307 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Jeep Compass transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2014 Jeep Compass, though it has 2 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 2014 Jeep Compass transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 2 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.