YearToAvoid

2012 Jeep Compass Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2012 Jeep Compass ranks 12th of 19 model years with a complaint index of 39, earning a Good verdict relative to other Compass years. It has 184 complaints and 4 recalls, with the Engine as the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
39/100
#12 of 19 Compass years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
184
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
5
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 1

Top 2012 Jeep Compass problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine45 (24%)
  2. Fuel System44 (24%)
  3. Airbags28 (15%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain26 (14%)
  5. Electrical System25 (14%)
  6. Other24 (13%)
  7. Seat Belts22 (12%)
  8. Structure & Body17 (9%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (7%)
  10. Brakes7 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some drivers reported the engine stalling abruptly while cruising, with the steering wheel locking up momentarily.
  • Owners described the check engine light cycling on and off, tied to dealers applying lubricant to electrical connectors without lasting fix.
  • Several reported a persistent gasoline smell inside the cabin despite dealer attempts to replace a fuel valve.
  • Owners reported the vehicle failing to start after being parked, traced to the integrated power module.
  • Some described frontal airbags failing to deploy during crashes, including a rollover and a crash into an embankment.
  • One owner reported the gear shifter not engaging drive or reverse while the engine idled unusually high.
2012 Jeep Compass complaints: complaints filed per quarter122012 Q12014 Q12016 Q12017 Q42019 Q32021 Q32023 Q22025 Q2
184 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q1 (12).

2012 Jeep Compass recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V668000Sep 15, 2016Airbags1,435,625 vehicles

    Air bags

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

    Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

  2. NHTSA 13V233000Jun 4, 2013Electrical System254,396 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.

    Risk: In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.

  3. NHTSA 13V120000Apr 3, 2013Fuel System20,799 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles manufactured October 18, 2011, through May 7, 2012. Due to an incorrectly manufactured transfer tube, the transfer of fuel from the secondary side to the primary side of the fuel tank may be interrupted, causing the engine to stall.

    Risk: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank transfer tube free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 30, 2013. Owners were notified by Chrysler on July 19, 2013, that parts are now available. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N17.

See all 4 recalls for the 2012 Jeep Compass →

2012 Jeep Compass fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Compass years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Best2271225
2011Caution50187324
2012Good39184424
2013Best1180124
2014Avoid83307223

All Jeep Compass years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Jeep Compass reliable?
Relative to other Compass model years, the 2012 rates Good, ranking 12th worst out of 19 years with a complaint index of 39. It has fewer reported problems than years like 2018 or 2014.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA complaints point to Engine issues (45 complaints, 24% share) and Fuel System issues (44 complaints, 24% share) as the top problem areas, followed by Airbags at 15%.
Does the 2012 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Compass, covering airbags, electrical system software, and two separate fuel tank issues, including a damaged fuel tank roller and an incorrect transfer tube.
What is the median mileage for engine failures on the 2012 Compass?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 83,500 miles for Engine-related complaints on the 2012 Jeep Compass.
How does the 2012 Compass compare to the 2014 or 2018 models?
The 2012 Compass has a complaint index of 39, well below the 2014 (83), 2018 (100), and 2019 (89) model years, all of which carry an Avoid verdict.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.