YearToAvoid

2012 Jeep Compass Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 45 engine complaints for the 2012 Jeep Compass, 24% of all 184 complaints filed for that model year. No related recalls are listed. Median mileage at failure was 83,500 miles, and reports include stalling and sudden deceleration.

Engine complaints
45
24% of 184
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
83,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle stalling suddenly at highway speeds, including at 70-75 mph, sometimes at high altitude.
  • Some describe the vehicle rapidly decelerating on its own when the accelerator is released, without the driver braking.
  • Several complaints describe the check engine light coming on repeatedly along with intermittent stalling that dealers could not diagnose.
  • A few owners report the electronic throttle control warning light illuminating along with failure to accelerate or unexpected engine revving.
  • One report describes a crankshaft position sensor code (P0335) tied to engine stalling that recurred after service.
  • Another owner described progressive symptoms starting with struggling uphill, then stalling, then overheating after extended driving.

When 2012 Jeep Compass engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 11, 2012, latest Jun 8, 2025.

2012 Jeep Compass engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2012Mar 2015Mar 2017Sep 2018Sep 2019Oct 2020Aug 2022Jun 2025
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2012 to Jun 2025; peak Nov 2016 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Jeep Compass

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Compass model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201011 (15%)
  2. 201151 (27%)
  3. 201245 (24%)
  4. 201314 (18%)
  5. 2014116 (38%)
  6. 201543 (38%)
  7. 2016174 (59%)
  8. 201777 (34%)
  9. 2018492 (52%)
  10. 2019169 (51%)
  11. 202083 (59%)
  12. 202124 (30%)
  13. 202241 (18%)
  14. 202310 (22%)
  15. 20249 (17%)
  16. 20254 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Jeep Compass have?
NHTSA lists 45 engine complaints for the 2012 Jeep Compass, which is 24% of the 184 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Jeep Compass engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the 2012 Jeep Compass engine complaints.
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Compass engine problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2012 Jeep Compass is 83,500 miles.
What kind of engine problems do owners report on the 2012 Jeep Compass?
Owners describe sudden stalling at highway speed, unexpected deceleration when releasing the gas pedal, throttle control warnings, and in one case a crankshaft position sensor fault code.
Were there any crashes or fires linked to engine complaints on the 2012 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA data for this engine complaint set shows 0 crashes and 1 fire reported, with 0 injuries.

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.