Is the 2012 Jeep COMPASS reliable?

The 2012 Jeep COMPASS has 261 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: FUEL SYSTEM problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Jeep COMPASS?

Top problems: FUEL SYSTEM (44 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (38 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (28 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Jeep COMPASS?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. Contact any Jeep dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Jeep COMPASS?

The 2012 Jeep COMPASS gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Jeep COMPASS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Jeep COMPASS is approximately $1,617/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Jeep COMPASS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Jeep COMPASS has 261 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 261. The most common issue is fuel system problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: 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. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 4 crash reports 3 injuries

261

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

FUEL SYSTEM

44 complaints

17%

• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS PROVIDING INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AS THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT ADDED FUEL TO VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WA
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V120000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE NOTICE AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Jeep COMPASS

Based on 177 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 63K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Earlier than typicalmedian 46K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Earlier than typicalmedian 58K mi · 29 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 50K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 44K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 63K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 85K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER15/09/2016

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Jeep COMPASS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Jeep COMPASS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,617

Full coverage / month

$135

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1617

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Jeep COMPASS Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

20K mi

4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2012 COMPASS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 261 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE FIRST TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS CHECKED AND RETURNED, 2 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, SOME OIL APPLIED TO THE CONNECTORS AND RETURNED. YESTERDAY, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT RECIEVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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 TAK
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)