How many recalls does the 2012 Jeep Compass have?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Jeep Compass model year. Whether one car had the recall work done depends on that car, so check its VIN with NHTSA.

2007: 434 owner complaints, Maybe

Our take: only with records and an inspection. Owners filed 1.5 times the complaints of a typical year of this model.

Year verdict

Maybe

1.5× a typical year

More owner complaints than usual. Buy only with records and an inspection.

Confidence: Medium

Close to the Maybe line, so a few complaints either way could tip it.

NHTSA did not answer for 11 years, so this may change.

Past 100,000 miles

Not judged

1.3 times the complaints past 100,000 miles of a typical older year of this model at the same age (6), and most are about costly parts. With only 8 in its first 12 years, that is too few to tell a real problem from chance.

How the dial was counted

Year verdict: Typical year: 70 complaints, the median of 8 nearby years. Each counted over its first 8 years from January 2011; this one had 106.

Same car, better year: 2011 or 2013 Compass (both Worthy)

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WhipWorthy sticker

2012 Jeep Compass

Complaints184From owners
Loading owner complaints
Recalls4On file
Loading recalls
CrashNoneNo overall stars
Loading crash ratings
MPG21 to 25Combined, EPA
Loading fuel economy

Complaints are unverified owner reports, not adjusted for how many were sold.

Compare this car Every Compass year

Car report

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Value signals

We do not price cars.

These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.

Costly problem zones ahead at your miles come with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans
Fuel: $2,550 to $3,050 a year.The EPA’s estimate for 15,000 miles a year, 55% in town, at its fuel prices. Each version
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
Have the VIN? Check it is this car, and see its open recalls at NHTSA.
VIN
On the dash at the base of the windshield, or on the driver’s door sticker.

What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.

Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.

The full record

Tap to open

What owners complain about

184 complaints; the part named most is the fuel system

Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed Mar 27, 2012 to Jul 9, 2026. 38% name a part that is usually costly to fix.

Owners reported 3 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries and 1 death in these complaints.

Fuel system44 · 24%
Engine38 · 21%Usually costly to fix
Air bags28 · 15%

What one owner wrote about the fuel system

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 was pushed…

Filed Mar 24, 2026NHTSA complaint 117267911 of 18 owner quotes

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15 more parts, and 18 owner quotes

Every part owners name for the 2012 Jeep Compass, with their own words about what went wrong. Usually costly to fix among them: Transmission and drivetrain, Body and frame.

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SourceOwner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Jeep Compass. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Seller kit

Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points

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Walk up to the seller ready

Questions to ask the seller of a 2012 Jeep Compass, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.

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Write your offer

A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email

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Send the seller a fair offer

Type the asking price and your own offer for the 2012 Jeep Compass, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.

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When problems show up

Fuel system: the middle complaint around 60,000 miles

The bar holds the middle half of the complaints that gave a mileage; the dark mark is the middle one. 50 complaints of 184 gave one. Owners file when something fails, so this shows when problems were reported, not how long the cars last.

Fuel system25,000 to 65,000 mi
Half of these 15 complaints came between about 25,000 and 65,000 miles, the middle one around 60,000.

SourceMileage from owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Jeep Compass. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Will it outlast the loan?

The month of your loan each problem zone lands in

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1 problem zone to lay against your loan

See the month of your loan each one lands in, and what you would still owe then.

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Recalls

4 recalls on file

Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.

Seat belts
Sep 15, 2016 · Recall 16V668000
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.
What can happen
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.
The 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.
Air bags
Jun 4, 2013 · Recall 13V233000
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.
What can happen
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.
The 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
Apr 3, 2013 · Recall 13V120000
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.
What can happen
If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
The 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
Apr 3, 2012 · Recall 12V142000
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.
What can happen
In the event of an impact or roll-over, fuel leakage could occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.

SourceRecalls listed by NHTSA for the 2012 Jeep Compass. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Crash ratings

No overall rating given

NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight.

2012 Jeep Compass SUV 4WD
Overall
Not rated
Front
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
16.4% chance of a rollover in a one car crash, by NHTSA's estimate.
Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Not available
Lane departure warning
Not available
2012 Jeep Compass SUV 2WD
Overall
Not rated
Front
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
18.5% chance of a rollover in a one car crash, by NHTSA's estimate.
Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Not available
Lane departure warning
Not available

NHTSA investigations: 2

SourceNHTSA crash ratings for the 2012 Jeep Compass. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Fuel economy

21 to 25 mpg combined, across 7 versions

The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in.

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
Compass 2WD · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
21 mpg
Highway
27 mpg
Combined
23 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,800
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
Compass 2WD · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
23 mpg
Highway
27 mpg
Combined
24 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,700
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
Compass 2WD · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
23 mpg
Highway
29 mpg
Combined
25 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,550
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
Compass 2WD · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
23 mpg
Highway
28 mpg
Combined
25 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,550
This one on fueleconomy.gov

Show 3 more versions

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
Compass 4WD · 4 wheel drive · Regular gas
City
21 mpg
Highway
25 mpg
Combined
23 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,800
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Off Road Package
Compass 4WD · 4 wheel drive · Regular gas
City
20 mpg
Highway
23 mpg

SourceEPA fuel economy data, fueleconomy.gov. EPA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

True cost to own

The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years

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What it really costs to own

What the 2012 Jeep Compass costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.

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Every year of the Compass

13 Worthy, 4 Maybe, 2 Pass, of 20 years on file

Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.

Best and worst years of the Compass

NHTSA did not answer for 17 years, so the chart may be missing some.

SourceNHTSA owner complaints and recalls for the Compass. NHTSA, checked Oct 30, 2026.

Before you buy this one

5 checks, with a close look at the fuel system

Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.

Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 4 recalls on file. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the fuel system. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look at the fuel system first.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.
On the test drive, pay attention to the fuel system.
Smell for fuel, and notice how it starts and idles.

Going to see it? Take the checklist52 checks with the bad signs to look for, saved on your phone.

Check this exact car

The verdict is about the model year. These checks are about the one in front of you. Most are free or a few dollars.

VIN for these checks

Copy it, then paste it into each check. Nothing is sent until you open one.

Official checks on this VIN

Open recallsFree
NHTSA
Safety recalls on this VIN that are not fixed yet, from the last 15 years.
A recall already fixed does not show.
Check recalls at NHTSAnhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)
Theft and total lossFree
NICB VINCheck
Whether an insurer reported it stolen and not found, or wrote it off as a total loss.
Only insurer records. Five checks a day.
Open NICB VINChecknicb.org (opens in a new tab)
Title brandsA few dollars
NMVTIS, the federal title system
Salvage, flood, junk and rebuilt brands from any state, and the last miles on the title.
No repairs, service or recalls. Sold by approved sellers listed on the site.
See the approved sellersvehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov (opens in a new tab)
Title statusVaries by state
The state motor vehicle office
Whether the title is branded in that state and, where the state offers it, whether a lender still has a lien.
It will not name the owner. Each state asks its own way, and some only by mail. Ask to see the seller’s title too.
Find your state’s officeusa.gov (opens in a new tab)

What a paid report adds

A history report such as Carfax or AutoCheck pulls in more of the car’s past than these checks can:

Crashes and damage reported by police, insurers or shops, even when it was fixed.
Service visits that shops reported, with the miles each time.
How many owners, for how long, and the states it was registered in.
Whether it was a rental, fleet or lease car, when that was reported.

It only knows what was reported to it. A clean report is not proof of a clean car. Ask the seller first: many dealers hand one over for free.

Red flags in a history

Salvage title
Usually an insurer called it a total loss. In most states it cannot be driven on the road until it is rebuilt and inspected.
Rebuilt title
A salvage car that was fixed and passed a state check. It can be fine, but it is worth less, can be harder to insure, and needs a careful inspection.
Flood damage
Water can ruin wiring and sensors months later. Be wary of a flood brand that vanished after a move to another state.
Lemon or maker buyback
The maker bought it back over a defect it could not fix. Ask what the defect was and how it was fixed.
Odometer rollback
A mileage reading lower than an earlier one, or a title marked not actual miles.
Many owners, fast
Three owners in two years can mean a problem each one passed along.
Gaps in the records
Years with no service or registration. Ask why: it may have sat, been off the road, or been rebuilt.

Title words and rules differ by state. Not legal advice.

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection
Have a mechanic you choose, not the seller, put it on a lift and look it over before you pay.
Insurance quote
Get a quote on this exact car before you sign. Ask your own insurer and one or two others.

Model year	Owner complaints	Verdict
2007	434	Maybe
2008	172	Worthy
2009	64	Worthy
2010	81	Worthy
2011	188	Worthy
2012	184	Maybe
2013	80	Worthy
2014	308	Pass
2015	113	Worthy
2016	293	Maybe
2017	229	Worthy
2018	948	Pass
2019	331	Maybe
2020	143	Worthy
2021	81	Worthy
2022	226	Worthy
2023	49	Worthy
2024	55	Worthy
2025	29	Worthy
2026	5	Not judged

The verdict on the 2012 Jeep Compass

Value signals

What owners complain about

Seller kit

Write your offer

When problems show up

Will it outlast the loan?

Recalls

Seat belts

What can happen

The fix

Air bags

What can happen

The fix

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

Crash ratings

2012 Jeep Compass SUV 4WD

2012 Jeep Compass SUV 2WD

Fuel economy

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Off Road Package

True cost to own

Every year of the Compass

Before you buy this one

Check this exact car

Official checks on this VIN

What a paid report adds

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection

Insurance quote

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Off Road Package

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Seat belts

What can happen

The fix

Air bags

What can happen

The fix

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

2012 Jeep Compass SUV 4WD

2012 Jeep Compass SUV 2WD