2012 Jeep Compass Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#11 most-complained of 16 Compass years
The 2012 Jeep Compass has 184 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 33, ranking 11th worst out of 16 model years, so it earns a 'Good' verdict relative to other Compass years. Engine issues top the complaint list at 24%.
- Complaints
- 184
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 22 city / 27 hwy
Top 2012 Jeep Compass problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine45 (24%)
- Fuel System44 (24%)
- Airbags28 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (14%)
- Electrical System25 (14%)
- Other24 (13%)
- Seat Belts22 (12%)
- Structure & Body17 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (7%)
- Brakes7 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report a blind spot created by the rear A-pillar structure that obscured adjacent vehicles and contributed to lane-change crashes.
- Some vehicles experienced fuel odor inside the cabin due to a fuel system valve issue that reportedly persisted even after dealer repair attempts.
- Owners describe the transmission failing to shift into drive or reverse on startup, sometimes with the engine idling high near 5000 RPM.
- Check engine lights recurred repeatedly, in one case followed by the engine and steering suddenly stopping while driving at 50 mph.
- Electrical failures left some vehicles unable to start, with dealers tracing the fault to the integrated power module.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including one involving a rollover and one fatal collision where the seat belt was also reported to have loosened over time.
2012 Jeep Compass recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Jeep Compass reliable?
- Compared to other Compass model years, the 2012 ranks 'Good' with a complaint index of 33 and 184 NHTSA complaints, placing it 11th worst out of 16 years covered.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Compass?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 24% of all reports, followed closely by Fuel System issues at 24% and Airbags at 15%.
- Does the 2012 Jeep Compass have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Jeep Compass, covering airbags, electrical software, and two separate fuel tank/transfer tube issues.
- At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Compass problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: Engine failures show a median of 83,500 miles, Fuel System issues at 58,000 miles, and Airbags at 84,500 miles.
- How does the 2012 Compass compare to the 2018 Compass?
- The 2012 Compass has a complaint index of 33 versus 100 for the 2018 model, which is rated 'Avoid' with 942 complaints, making the 2012 a comparatively better choice.