NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Jeep Compass Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Jeep Compass has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 184 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Jeep dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Jeep Compass, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2012 Jeep Compass owner complaints

Owners have filed 184 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Compass, describing incidents dated August 16, 2011 to April 14, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Fuel/Propulsion System 44 complaints
  • Engine 38 complaints
  • Air Bags 28 complaints
  • Power Train 26 complaints
  • Electrical System 24 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 24 complaints

Of the 184 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 184 complaints, owners report 2 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11749429 · Filed

    2012 Jeep Compass has excessive rust and corrosion from the frame to the chassis. Vehicle has 69,000 miles on it and after each snow storm undercarriage was washed. I was told this vehicle is now unsafe and I need to purchase a new car. I really do like my Jeep Compass, is there any remedy to this…

  • ODI #11726791 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11724721 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the contact was unable to pump more than one gallon at a time. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the roll-over valve was defective…

Read all 184 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Jeep Compass in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

NHTSA #16V668000 · Seat Belts — Pretensioner · NHTSA notice

Reported September 15, 2016 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 1,435,625 vehicles

Repair completion: 41.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign S61 · Owners notified August 15, 2017 · Vehicles built February 14, 2009 – August 13, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Delayed Deployment or Non-Deployment of Airbags

NHTSA #13V233000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported June 4, 2013 · Chrysler Group LLC

Potentially affected: 254,396 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign N01 · Owners notified June 21, 2013 · Vehicles built May 6, 2008 – July 20, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Tank Transfer Tube may cause Stall

NHTSA #13V120000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported April 3, 2013 · Chrysler Group LLC

Potentially affected: 20,799 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign N17 · Owners notified July 19, 2013 · Vehicles built October 18, 2011 – May 7, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

ROLL-OVER VALVE

NHTSA #12V142000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported April 3, 2012 · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Potentially affected: 1,689 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign M11 · Owners notified May 21, 2012 · Vehicles built December 17, 2011 – January 2, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT OR ROLL-OVER, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CHRYSLER’S RECALL NUMBER IS M11.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Other Jeep Compass model years

Check your 2012 Jeep Compass VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Jeep Compass at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Jeep VIN