Are there open safety recalls?
4 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2012 Jeep Compass has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 184 owner complaints, and gets about 23 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2012 Jeep Compass
- Engine 4-cyl 2.4L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
1 death reported
Out of 184 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.
How did it score in crash tests?
Not tested
No official 5-star crash-test score for this year and model.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 20102recalls
- 20113recalls
- 2012 · this car4recalls
- 20131recall
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2012 Jeep Compass SUV 4WD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
4 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Seat Belts
15/09/2016
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Fuel System, Gasoline
03/04/2013
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Fuel System, Gasoline
03/04/2012
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Air Bags
04/06/2013
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 201081reports
- 2011187reports
- 2012 · this car184reports
- 201380reports
184 owner reports on file
3 crash mentions 5 fire mentions 2 injury mentions 1 death mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 184 total reports.
- AIR BAGS 26 of 184
- The passenger headrest of my 2012 Jeep Compass Limited deployed while the car was in motion on the highway with no reason to deploy. Yes, the component is available for inspection. - This created a distraction to the driver that could ha
- POWER TRAIN 26 of 184
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP COMPASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT SCOTT EVANS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2280 BA
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 25 of 184
When I attempt to fuel the car, the gas pump immediately shuts off regardless of the gas station or the pump that I am at. The gas also seemed to not want to go into the tank, as I could see some of the gas leaking out around the rim of the
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23 of 184
I’m in Bradley, Illinois, and after the first snowfall, these indicators lit up. The ABS, the ESC, and the 4WD. I thought because of inclement weather, they would go off, but have remained lit for a couple of weeks now. One day, while drivi
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15 of 184
I have had problems with a hitch or pause in the acceleration of my 2012 Jeep Compass since at least April of last year. I purchased the vehicle used in January 2021. In and of itself, the hitch would be a minor thing, but I think it's rela
- ENGINE 14 of 184
Everytime I drive it acts as if it’s not getting sufficient fuel to the engine . Have had multiple things replaced to try and fix the problem but still not helped . Whole Engine sputters when I stop and acts as if it’s not getting any fuel
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 201025mpg
- 201124mpg
- 2012 · this car23mpg
- 201323mpg
$2,650
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 21 mpg
Highway driving 27 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 23 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $2,250 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2.4L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.4L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.4 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Body
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the seat belts). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2012 Jeep Compass listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2012 Jeep Compass? +
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2012 Jeep Compass, including the seat belts. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Jeep Compass get? +
The EPA rates the 2012 Jeep Compass at 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway), about $2,650 a year in fuel.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 Jeep Compass? +
Owners have filed 184 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Jeep Compass, including 3 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.
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