MYRModel Year Report

2012 Jeep Compass

◆ Worse than typical
2012 Jeep Compass
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:00:00.288Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Jeep Compass Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 2007: 259 complaints 2007 2008: 93 complaints 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 71 complaints 2010 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 183 complaints 2012 2013: 80 complaints 2013 2014: 306 complaints 2015: 113 complaints 2016: 286 complaints 2016 2017: 228 complaints 2018: 927 complaints 2019: 322 complaints 2019 2020: 136 complaints 2021: 76 complaints 2022: 217 complaints 2022 2023: 45 complaints 2024: 49 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2012: 183 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2007259
200893
200944
201071
2011187
2012183
201380
2014306
2015113
2016286
2017228
2018927
2019322
2020136
202176
2022217
202345
202449
202520
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 20%

20% of complaints: engine — 36 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN DRIVEWAY.*DT CONTACT STATED THE INSPECTOR WHO INSPECTED THE JEEP SAID FIRE WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES.*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20190408

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 34 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 15%

15% of complaints: air bags — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

- The passenger headrest of my 2012 Jeep Compass Limited deployed while the car was in motion on the highway with no reason to deploy. Yes, the component is available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240110

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 26 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 23 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN DRIVEWAY.*DT CONTACT STATED THE INSPECTOR WHO INSPECTED THE JEEP SAID FIRE WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES.*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20190408

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 183
R 20120521 — fuel system, gasoline

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 ASSEMB

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 12V142000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130621 — air bags, electrical system, seat belts

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

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.

Campaign 13V233000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130719 — 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 tu

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,

Campaign 13V120000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170815 — air bags, seat belts

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.

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.

Campaign 16V668000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190909 — PE (closed 20260225)

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Jeep Compass — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V142000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V233000 (air bags, electrical system, seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V120000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V668000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2024

WORST YEARS

■ 2018 ■ 2019 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Jeep Compass reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Jeep Compass is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Compass?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Jeep Compass have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.