What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 Jeep Compass

Typical pattern

6.1% of complaints about the 2012 Jeep Compass came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2012 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (36 complaints), typically at 7.4 yr or about 90,000 miles.

Complaints
261
Median age at failure
6.0 yr
Median mileage
63,513 n=175
Crash / fire / tow
6.9% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
36 reports · 90,000 mi
7.4 yr
8.3%
Fuel / propulsion
34 reports · 59,000 mi
7.6 yr
0%
Air bags
28 reports · 89,000 mi
5.4 yr
7.1%
Power train
26 reports · 79,000 mi
6.3 yr
3.8%
Other
24 reports · 71,000 mi
7.6 yr
8.3%
Electrical system
23 reports · 52,000 mi
6.0 yr
13%
Seat belts
22 reports · 67,000 mi
5.2 yr
4.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

16V668000 2016-09-15
Seat belts:pretensioner

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.

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.

13V233000 2013-06-04
Air bags:side/window

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.

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.

13V120000 2013-04-03
Fuel system

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.

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

12V142000 2012-04-03
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

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.

IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT OR ROLL-OVER, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

In owners’ own words

Power train 29 mi 6 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP COMPASS LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE GEAR SHIFT DID NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE IDLED HIGH AND THE RPM INCREASED TO 5000. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE DID NOT DUPLICATE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE GEAR SHIFTER LEVER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 336.
Power train 1,000 mi 8 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,500. UPDATED 8/24/12 *CN
Power train 5,500 mi 9 mo in service
VEHICLE SPUTTERS, SHAKES, AND ALMOST STALLS OUT. WHEN IT DOES THIS YOU CAN STEP ON THE GAS AND IT WILL GO NO WHERE, I M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS IF ANYONE CUTS ME OFF OR IN FRONT OF ME WHILE MY VEHICLE IS MALFUNCTIONING I COULD GET HIT AND INJURED.I HAVE REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, THEIR ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AGREES ITS A PROBLEM, HE CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT OR HOW TO FIX IT, THE MANAGER OF SERVICE SAYS ITS A 4 CYLINDER ISSUE BUT ITS NORMAL. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND AND IS NOT HELPING. *TR
Fuel / propulsion 1,100 mi 9 mo in service
PERISTENT AND GROWING SMELL OF GAS. TOOK IT TO THE AGENCY FOR CHECKING. CAME BACK TWICE THAT DAY TO GET THE CAR, I WAS ASSURED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED AND A VALVE REPLACED. THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS LEAKING INSIDE THE CAR PERSISTS. *TR

Other Compass model years

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