Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Jeep Compass. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- 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. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Delayed Deployment or Non-Deployment of Airbags
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- 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.
Fuel Tank Transfer Tube may cause Stall
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
- 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, 2013, that parts are now available. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N17.
ROLL-OVER VALVE
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT OR ROLL-OVER, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (184)
184 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 184 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 36 | 19.6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 34 | 18.5% |
| Air bags | 28 | 15.2% |
| Power train | 26 | 14.1% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 13% |
| Unknown or other | 24 | 13% |
| Seat belts | 22 | 12% |
| Structure | 12 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system | 10 | 5.4% |
| Suspension | 10 | 5.4% |
How 2012 compares with other Compass years
Best and worst Compass years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 172 | 0 |
| 2009 | 64 | 1 |
| 2010 | 81 | 2 |
| 2011 | 187 | 3 |
| 2012 | 184 | 4 |
| 2013 | 80 | 1 |
| 2014 | 307 | 2 |
| 2015 | 113 | 1 |
| 2016 | 293 | 1 |
| 2017 | 229 | 4 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 356 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 28 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · CVT | 4-Wheel Drive | 21 / 25 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · CVT | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 / 23 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Compass for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Jeep Compass FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Jeep Compass have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 16V668000 (air bag), 13V233000 (air bag), 13V120000 (fuel system), 12V142000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Jeep Compass problems?
Owners filed 184 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (36), Fuel/propulsion system (34), Air bags (28) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Jeep Compass get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 23 city, 29 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2012 Compass compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Jeep Compass model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (64) and the 2014 the most (307). The 2012 drew 184. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.