2012 Jeep COMPASS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Jeep COMPASS has 261 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.3x the segment average of 80. 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. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 4 crash reports 3 injuries

261

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

ENGINE

38 complaints

15%

• 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,
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 70 MPH AT HIGH ALTITUDE, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALLS BUT WHEN DRIVING IN LOWER ALTITUDES IT WOULD NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE C
• TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AFTER A FEW HOURS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 13,800. THE VIN WAS N

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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, ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

28 complaints

11%

• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT. IT WAS STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT HAD A HISTORY OF LOOSENING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS K

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

26 complaints

10%

• 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
• 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
• 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 SERV

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

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

26 complaints

10%

• WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON I 90, I ADJUSTED MY POSTURE, SLIGHTLY ELEVATING MY HIPS AND LEANING BACK AGAINST THE SEATBACK, WHEREUPON THE SEATBACK SUDDENLY COLLAPSED BACKWARD, LEAVING ME LOOKING AT THE CEILING. FORTUNATELY I WAS VIRTUALLY ALONE ON THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY RECOVER MY UPRIGHT P
• WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON I 90, I ADJUSTED MY POSTURE, SLIGHTLY ELEVATING MY HIPS AND LEANING BACK AGAINST THE SEATBACK, WHEREUPON THE SEATBACK SUDDENLY COLLAPSED BACKWARD, LEAVING ME LOOKING AT THE CEILING. FORTUNATELY I WAS VIRTUALLY ALONE ON THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY RECOVER MY UPRIGHT P
• I PURCHASED THE JEEP FEBUARY 28TH 2013, FROM ORR HONDA TEXARKANA TX. I WAS NOT INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD ANY PROBLEMS OR RECALLS AT THAT TIME. WITHIN A COUPLE DAYS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE SEAT BELTS WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY UNLOCK AND OPEN. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HAVE AN ACC

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON I 90, I ADJUSTED MY POSTURE, SLIGHTLY ELEVATING MY HIPS AND LEANING BACK AGAINST THE SEATBACK, WHEREUPON THE SEATBACK SUDDENLY COLLAPSED BACKWARD, LEAVING ME LOOKING AT THE CEILING. FORTUNATELY I WAS VIRTUALLY ALONE ON THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY RECOVER MY UPRIGHT P”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)