[DaveS]

Sorry to post this on a Compass forum, but my Compass has the same exact engin and transmission as my Renegade.

I was stupid and purchased this 2015 Jeep Renegade Latitude used but under warranty. It was supposedly certified.

Biggest regret ever purchasing a vehicle.

Anyone have experience with arbitration or knowledge of a manufacturer buying back a vehicle?

History
2018 04 Purchased 24,xxx
2018 04 1st report of transmission jerkiness. Dealer updated software of TCM and PCM.
2018 05 2nd report of transmission jerkiness. Dealer replaced valve body on transmission.
2018 06 3rd report of transmission jerkiness. Dealer replaced the transmission.
2020 11 4th report of transmission jerkiness. Dealer updated software of TCM and PCM. 53,xxx. 2nd tranny warrantied.
2021 02 5th report of transmission jerkiness. Dealer replaced valve body on transmission.
2021 02 6th report of transmission jerkiness. Dealer stated they will most likely be putting in the third transmission.

 

[arudlang]

We don't get hardly any reports of so-called "transmission jerkiness", although its fair to say that the programming of my ZF9 in my Compass is way, way less smooth than the programming of the same ZF9 in our Cherokee. Do you have any videos demonstrating the problem? Can the issue be readily reproduced on-demand? What exactly happens?

My Compass occasionally makes a poor shift decision that is less than smooth but thats just kinda how the car is... Jeep really just didn't seem to have a good grip on how to program the ZF9s for many years and I'm sure its tough to do with two dog clutches in play in there, but even still mine is not rough enough for me to think anything is wrong with it.

Replacing yet another transmission doesn't make sense to me at face value. At this point I'd be suspecting faulty sensors or faulty wiring giving bad info to the TCM, which confuses it and causes it to act up. Surely the dealer could detect this if the issue was reproduceable on-demand.

 

[DaveS]

We don't get hardly any reports of so-called "transmission jerkiness", although its fair to say that the programming of my ZF9 in my Compass is way, way less smooth than the programming of the same ZF9 in our Cherokee. Do you have any videos demonstrating the problem? Can the issue be readily reproduced on-demand? What exactly happens?

My Compass occasionally makes a poor shift decision that is less than smooth but thats just kinda how the car is... Jeep really just didn't seem to have a good grip on how to program the ZF9s for many years and I'm sure its tough to do with two dog clutches in play in there, but even still mine is not rough enough for me to think anything is wrong with it.

Replacing yet another transmission doesn't make sense to me at face value. At this point I'd be suspecting faulty sensors or faulty wiring giving bad info to the TCM, which confuses it and causes it to act up. Surely the dealer could detect this if the issue was reproduceable on-demand.

We don't get hardly any reports of so-called "transmission jerkiness", although its fair to say that the programming of my ZF9 in my Compass is way, way less smooth than the programming of the same ZF9 in our Cherokee. Do you have any videos demonstrating the problem? Can the issue be readily reproduced on-demand? What exactly happens?

My Compass occasionally makes a poor shift decision that is less than smooth but thats just kinda how the car is... Jeep really just didn't seem to have a good grip on how to program the ZF9s for many years and I'm sure its tough to do with two dog clutches in play in there, but even still mine is not rough enough for me to think anything is wrong with it.

Replacing yet another transmission doesn't make sense to me at face value. At this point I'd be suspecting faulty sensors or faulty wiring giving bad info to the TCM, which confuses it and causes it to act up. Surely the dealer could detect this if the issue was reproduceable on-demand.

Yes it can be reproduced, every time I drive it. Especially when cold. When putting it in Snow mode, it gets better. I've told the dealer this a few times now. They originally replaced a harness on the transmission. I'm with you that I think it is another component of the whole system, either electrical, computer or transfer case or mode selector. On a side note, my Odometer does not display when driving. I let them know that too. Monday they had it hooked up to diagnostic equipment while driving it. I really don't think much of FIAT Chrysler at this point. I'm driving a Cherokee loaner and it is smooth and more quiet. The bigger the vehicle in the lineup, the better quality one gets I'm finding out.

 

[Jasmine]

I agree with @arudlang I can't imagine that you'd get three bad trannies in a row. More likely they replaced two perfectly good gearboxes because it was getting bad info from a sensor somewhere.

"Bigger is better" is the motto of most American car companies with a few possible exceptions -- I'm thinking of the old AMC Ramblers (they specialized in small cars) and the Dodge Dart/Plymouth Valiant and their derivatives -- but none recently.

@DaveS, I like your avatar. I once had an Indian bicycle (my uncle worked for them at one time).

 

[arudlang]

I'm driving a Cherokee loaner and it is smooth and more quiet. The bigger the vehicle in the lineup, the better quality one gets I'm finding out.

We have both a 2nd gen Compass and a new Cherokee, the Cherokee costs 25% more but so far we feel it is way more than 25% better than the Compass.

 

[DaveS]

UPDATE 210225: Dealership wants me to come in today and drive the vehicle with the technician in it, to see "How" I drive. Even though the tech has experienced the bucking bronco feel of this transmission. I read about the German manufacturer of the transmission insinuating that it is the drivers fault and that Americans need to learn how to drive their transmission. Funny how any other vehicle I've ever owned and even the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Compass that I have or am borrowing drive just fine.

I hear Excuse written all over this request. But they will see that I drive my vehicles smoothly and don't jump off of the red light like a dragster driver would. Although I have noticed that is what this vehicle wants, to be driven like a dragster. Sorry ZF Friedrichshafen, I don't drive like that!!!

 

[DaveS]

I just picked it back up today. No third transmission, just very in-depth diagnostics and programming. I will see how it drives for the next few days. And Jeep actually just called me, and will follow-up on Monday.

It shifts hard when cold, especially below zero F. When the transmission gets to operating temps it seems better, but never real smooth. I think Chrysler should be using a different fluid in this transmission.

I found out today that I do not have the ZF transmission but the Chrysler built 948TE. Very similar transmission however.

Chrysler told me on the phone that this does not qualify for a lemon law. Not sure what they have in mind next Monday if I say I'm still not satisfied with it. We will see.

 

[jeepney_driver]

We don't get hardly any reports of so-called "transmission jerkiness", although its fair to say that the programming of my ZF9 in my Compass is way, way less smooth than the programming of the same ZF9 in our Cherokee. Do you have any videos demonstrating the problem? Can the issue be readily reproduced on-demand? What exactly happens?

My Compass occasionally makes a poor shift decision that is less than smooth but thats just kinda how the car is... Jeep really just didn't seem to have a good grip on how to program the ZF9s for many years and I'm sure its tough to do with two dog clutches in play in there, but even still mine is not rough enough for me to think anything is wrong with it.

Replacing yet another transmission doesn't make sense to me at face value. At this point I'd be suspecting faulty sensors or faulty wiring giving bad info to the TCM, which confuses it and causes it to act up. Surely the dealer could detect this if the issue was reproduceable on-demand.

Change your spark plugs

 

[arudlang]

I found out today that I do not have the ZF transmission but the Chrysler built 948TE.

I think its that the 948TE is a ZF9 design variant, there are dozens and dozens of ZF9 variants tweaked for various applications across a bunch of brands. ZF does license out the 9 speed design for companies to build versions that suit their needs. So while ZF maybe doesn't build all of them, if its 98% their design I still say its a ZF9 in the context of all general discussion.