The Lemon Index

All cars · Jeep Compass · 2012

2012 Jeep Compass. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index96100 = average car
Complaints46NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold40,235U.S. model year
Per 100K sold114complaints
Year rank#8 of 14#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD23 / 29 / 25Regular$2,500
2.0L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD23 / 27 / 24Regular$2,600
2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD23 / 28 / 25Regular$2,500
2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spd4WD22 / 27 / 24Regular$2,600
2.4L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD21 / 27 / 23Regular$2,700
2.4L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)4WD21 / 25 / 23Regular$2,700

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 29,000 and 92,000 miles. Median 59,000, from 129 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine90,00013,800–120,00027
Fuel or ev drive system58,50032,800–83,20022
Airbags84,50045,200–99,6008
Transmission & drivetrain79,00011,300–120,00023
Electrical50,00019,000–115,00019

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Fuel or ev drive system20%
Transmission & drivetrain15%
Body structure13%
Engine11%
Electrical11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
18435215

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 16V668000 Sep 2016 Seat Belts / Pretensioner

    Defect. 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.

    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.

  • 13V233000 Jun 2013 Air Bags / Side/Window

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 13V120000 Apr 2013 Fuel System, Gasoline

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 12V142000 Apr 2012 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–
ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment20192026

Manufacturer communications 147

Jeep filed 147 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Sunroof Leak Under High Water Pressure This bulletin involves installing a new sunroof service…
  • Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
  • Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Jeep Compass SUV 4WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Jeep Compass SUV 2WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2011774347,709Transmission & drivetrain
2012964640,235Fuel or ev drive system
2013402652,993Transmission & drivetrain
201419713261,264Airbags
2015452966,698Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data