2018 Jeep Compass · symptom sheet
"Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on
- 30owner reports
- 24,886median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
824 of the 942 complaints on this car are about the engine. 30 of those describe transmission warning light.
Tick what matches of 30 reports
Transmission warning light on other Compass years
No other Compass model year has enough reports of transmission warning light for a sheet of its own. See every Compass year.
What this problem usually is
This sheet is for a "Service Transmission" message, a transmission fault warning or a wrench light. Owners say it often shows up with lost power, a stall or a car that won't accelerate, and sometimes clears on the next start.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the engine cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
The brightness of the backlighting for the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) cannot be adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
All 6 recalls on the 2018 Jeep Compass, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Compass
False overheat leading to loss of motive power. Closed dec 10, 2023.
Stall from crankshaft\camshaft failure. Closed jun 16, 2025.
Northwest chrysler jeep dodge sale issue. Closed nov 23, 2020.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 7,040 and 34,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“I have had this car for a little over a year and it has given me nothing but problems they wonât let me out of my contract. Itâs a 2018 Jeep compass and Iâve already had to replace the thermostat. My service transmission light is coming on all of a sudden, Iâm having to put the oil in all the time it has completely shut down on the highway. Just stopped moving turned off on is own! So dangerous and I”
Filed Aug 19, 2026
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 30 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 376 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 159 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 144 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 103 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 74 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 68 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 62 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 44 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 42 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 39 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 34 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 30 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 29 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 26 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 26 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 25 reports