Figuring out the underlying issue on my Jeep Compass 4x4

Warranty ends next year, and I want to work out if a proactive decision can be made that prevents my bank account from losing traction next year.

BHPian di1in recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My 2017 Jeep Compass 4x4, had its wet clutch replaced under extended warranty in Feb this year (service history says that the differential assembly at the rear axle was replaced), and then in June it got another complaint (metallic knocking sound from the bottom rear of the vehicle, when reversing under load) and is now having its propeller / driveshaft replaced under warranty.

Is there any underlying issue that I need to be looking out for? Warranty ends next year, and I want to work out if a proactive decision can be made that prevents my bank account from losing traction next year.

Here's what BHPian Tgo had to say on the matter:

I am guessing wet clutch is a component in the rear differential. So it might have been replaced as a whole. The clutch pack has electro-mechanical actuation.

Propeller shaft has a centre carrier bearing which if faulty, can make the shaft jump about make a juddering / hammering noise under certain load conditions.

If you have driven above 75k km you might want to have them check the health of the clutch and flywheel too. Preliminary checks only.

After facing this issue in my AWD Duster, I too live in fear of heavy repair bills in case of similar failure in future. I have altered my driving style to a large extent. Also read about AWD system maintenance from various sources and picked up some tips:

• There should be no difference in tyre circumference. Replace all 4 tyres together. Rotate them frequently. Maintain correct tyre pressure. All the time. Difference in these parameters causes the system to detect slip and engage the clutch even on surfaces with good traction causing the clutch to fail prematurely.
• Avoid severe acceleration while turning and on low speeds (U-turns, traffic signals, junctions etc.) especially on roads and surfaces with good traction. The system detects slip and engages the clutch even though it should be smart enough to detect the steering angle and decide not to do so.
• Differential oil to be replaced every 20 / 30k km (to coincide with alternate service based on your service intervals).
• No towing over long distances with all four wheels on the ground. Disconnect the drive shaft if it is really necessary. Otherwise, keep your RSA active and insist on a flatbed pick-up for towing.
• If yours is a manual transmission, engage the clutch fully before getting hard on the accelerator. I feel the prop shaft juddering has something to do with DMF (Dual Mass Flywheel) and its expected service life. As the DMF ages it's ability to dampen driveline vibration reduces and if it fails it might contribute to the problem severely.
• If required, replace the full differential. Opening it to replace the clutch might mean opening the pandora's box of problems.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Man, the infamous FCA / Jeep reliability have hit, huh? I would expect more niggles as the car ages. But you know what? Even if you have 1 serious part replacement a year, it will still be FAR, FAR cheaper than buying a new car. Now that you bought a Compass - which is a sexy crossover by the way - stick with it. My C220 gave a lot of problems in its 4th - 6th year, but once they were sorted by an expert indie & good quality parts, the 7th - 9th years were far better.

Please do read this article of mine. I know the car has let you down and you'd be in a foul mood right now, but stick with it. Don't incur a lot of 10 - 20 lakhs on the depreciation + replacement costs. Plus, how do you know that your next car will be super reliable? Of late, even Hyundais are reporting so many niggles as did the Innova Crysta when it was new. A known devil is better than an unknown angel.

If I were in your shoes, I would extend the warranty to the max possible duration. Post warranty, go to a nice independent garage run by an expert. You'll be happy. My 530d is now 8 years old and I am mentally prepared for 1 major part failure a year (in the last 2 years, the air-con compressor & ABS board have been replaced). The replacement cost of my 530d is a minimum 50-lakhs. Better I spend 1 - 1.5 lakhs every year and keep it in top shape. It sure doesn't feel outdated by current standards, just as your Compass won't.

Keep your eyes & ears open and replace whatever you can in the warranty. Since you are worried, keep getting the car checked up periodically by an indie and keep pushing for replacements. Get all the warranty work you can get done.

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