2012 Jeep Compass problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (30) · Power Train (25) · Seat Belts (19)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Jeep Compass model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
129 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags 2016-09-15 · campaign 16V668000 · 1,435,625 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:software 2013-06-04 · campaign 13V233000 · 254,396 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2013-04-03 · campaign 13V120000 · 20,799 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly 2012-04-03 · campaign 12V142000 · 1,689 vehicles
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 JEEP PATRIOT AND COMPASS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 17, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2012. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY CONTAINING A DAMAGED ROLL-OVER VALVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT OR ROLL-OVER, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 25, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Service bulletins (147)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-06-18 · U67 Combo Rev11 · Warranty Program/Extension
emissions recall u67 - catalytic converter efficiency - dealer notification (revision 11)
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100653 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100645 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-02 · 103954 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
actuator - a/c and heater
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-02 · 104087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
actuator - a/c and heater
Equipment 2023-09-20 · 9100229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lifter, hydraulic roller deactivating please do not replace mds lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
Showing the 6 most recent of 147 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-09 · Suspension“2012 jeep compass has excessive rust and corrosion from the frame to the chassis. vehicle has 69,000 miles on it and after each snow storm undercarriage was washed. i was told this vehicle is now unsafe and i need to purchase a new car. i really do like my jeep compass, is there any remedy to this situation. i have the report in a email sent to…”
2026-03-24 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 109,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 jeep compass. while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. in addition, the engine seized. no warning lights were illuminated. the contact stated that the failure occurred in the middle of the road. the vehicle wa…”
2026-03-16 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 63,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 jeep compass. the contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the contact was unable to pump more than one gallon at a time. the contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the roll-over valve was defective and needed to be replaced. the contact was made awar…”
2026-01-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“when i attempt to fuel the car, the gas pump immediately shuts off regardless of the gas station or the pump that i am at. the gas also seemed to not want to go into the tank, as i could see some of the gas leaking out around the rim of the tank even though it was empty when i began to fuel. …”
2025-06-08 · Unknown Or Other“i have had problems with a hitch or pause in the acceleration of my 2012 jeep compass since at least april of last year. i purchased the vehicle used in january 2021. in and of itself, the hitch would be a minor thing, but i think it's related to other problems i'm having with the vehicle losing acceleration, which has become a real point of concer…”
2025-01-17 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 63,176 mi“the contact owns a 2012 jeep compass. the contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, the nozzle kicked off and shut down. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact stated that the failure was related to nhtsa campaign number: 12v142000 (fuel system, gasoline). the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined the fai…”
2024-08-19 · Structure · 97,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 jeep compass. the contact stated while driving 65 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn to the right or the left. the contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. the contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front cross members were severely corroded…”
2024-08-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“everytime i drive it acts as if it’s not getting sufficient fuel to the engine . have had multiple things replaced to try and fix the problem but still not helped . whole engine sputters when i stop and acts as if it’s not getting any fuel to accelerate. has almost caused a few crashes . to my surprise recalls have been made for my vehicle but says…”
2024-07-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the vehicle just went through an inspection with the dealership before being sold to me. the vehicle is stalling when making turns and driving. there are no warning lights, there is a full tank of gas, no warning of it going to happen and it just stalls. the jeep stalled at an intersection, stalled driving through a parking lot and again today stal…”
2024-04-23 · Unknown Or Other“my coils had to be replaced several times. last week i started to drive my car on a major road, shaking and no power. my car had to be towed once again. my mechanic told me the jeeps have issues with the coils. not sure why this keeps happening but now it's scary to drive my vehicle and not knowing how quick this happens again. recently my chec…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.