2012 Jeep Compass Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 109,000 miles

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 and needed to be replaced. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 63,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 105,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

This vehicle has shut down while on the street & on the dangerous highway with vehicles behind me. It wouldn’t start back up either I had to keep playing with the key or try starting it & it wouldn’t turn overOwner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that previously there was a recall for the catalytic converter and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed a failure with the oxygen…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 146,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 84,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

- 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 have resulted in an accident and also could have injured the passenger. - The dealer mentioned that…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Hello I went to dealer to fix safety recall s61 in 04/16/19 next week show me light airbag problem so they told me to check this problem they charge fee for check in so I refuse to check it cost to much for me so I driving to home and I driving all year with this air bag light and today 4/16/2020 I went dealer where was recall done…Owner complaint, filed 2020

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 79,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

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 bankhead hwy, carrollton, ga 30116) for unknown recall repairs. Additionally, the fuse and sensors were…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 128,702 miles

While driving on the highway the transmission overheat light came on.I had been driving about 45 minutes on hw. The jeep started making a loud whining noise and slowed down. It would not go over 45. It felt like the transmission was sticking some and had a bit of a shake. I pulled it over and had towed to our mechanic. Once he looked at…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 55,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

I hear a knocking noise coming from behind the dash/glove compartment on the passenger side. The knocking noise randomly starts before I put the keys into the ignition, while driving and after I take the key out of the ignition. It is sometimes between 10-15 knocking sounds then it stops.Owner complaint, filed 2020

It is not just jeep wranglers with defective tipms. I have had to have mine replaced twice in the last 18 months and 32000 miles. Since I drive my vehicle for work as a mail carrier this is a major problem for me. It has stranded me both times in the middle of a busy highway. I had to exit the vehicle both times without any hazard lights…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 86,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The passenger active restraint headrest exploded spontaneously. The vehicle was not in any accident. I happen to notice one morning that the headrest was deployed due to no known issue. Appears this has happened to numerous other people and not sure why this make/model issue has not come under a manufacturers safety recall.Owner complaint, filed 2023

My teenage daughter was returning home from work on a busy city street when she was startled by a loud abrupt noise. She looked over and saw the passenger-side active head restraint headrest had shot out. Quite shaken, she arrived home to tell me something had happened in the car. Upon examination of the headrest, it was clear that it…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 53,750 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (7).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while having a routine check on the vehicle by an independent mechanic, the mechanic stated that the front and rear subframe of the vehicle was extremely rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer replaced the crossmember of the front and rear subframe. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 63,513 miles

Footrest by the gas and brake pedals broke loose while driving on the highway. Appears to be a plastic part mounted by two bolts, in which the plastic broke and part sat loose by my pedals while driving. Removed part from being an obstacle near the brake and gas pedals once I could come to a stop.Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 53,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 84,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The rear suspension crossmember and suspension control arm rotted out on my 2012 Jeep Compass. Also, cross member cracked. Two repair shops inspected the damage and told me that I should be very careful driving the vehicle to get it repaired because there wasn't much hold the rear wheel on. They both said that the problem cause cause a…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for inspection prior to a road trip, he was informed that the rear cross members were severely corroded and had holes. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear cross members needed to be…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 78,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 75,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The stick shift does not move out of park. It stays locked in that position. I have to keep pulling on the shift handle and pumping the brake to get it to unlock. The vehicle is in stationary mode. I am unsure what us causing the problem.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 40,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 jeep compass. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle [VIN] independently without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic throttle control needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The [VIN] was notified of the…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 26,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 79,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

Car comepletely shut down, and went limp while driving 65 MPH on highway. Car would not go over 10 MPH, power steering failed, and check engine light began flashing.very dangerous as car shuts off without warning at high speeds. Power steering came back on and check engine light was no longer flashing. Had it towed; upon arrival, car…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 140,000 miles

Faulty or defective camshaft/crankshaft sensors shutting down or stalling the vehicle while in operation and motion, without warning. Driving, up to 70mph, in heavy traffic on a busy highway, vehicle engine stalls and results in loss of power steering, power brakes and forward momentum. When this happens, the driver is thrust into a very…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 120,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 101,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

When starting the vehicle there is a clunk coming from the right front of the engine compartment. When driving there is a drag or friction when turning left with a slight vibration. When turning the engine off there is a series of 3 electronic clicks from the right front of the engine compartment.Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 28,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn to the right or the left. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front cross members were…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 97,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The side windows, front and rear, fog/frost over while the vehicle is being driven. Running the defroster on high heat at full fan results in a small peep hole to see the side mirrors. The rest of the windows remain covered and you can't see out. A safety issue when living in michigan in the winter. Not sure if this is a design flaw or a…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 20,500 miles

Windshield cracked on the inside of the vehicle for no reason. Vehicle was not moving and was parked for approximately 4 days.Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 51,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 jeep compass, equipped with firestone affinity touring tires, size: p215/60r17. The contact stated she was sitting at a stop light when the rear driver's side tire became flat. The tire was changed and the spare was installed. The dealer was not notified. The tire [VIN] was made aware of the failure. The current…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 11,896 miles

The contact owns a 2012 jeep compass, equipped with firestone affinity touring t4 tires, size: p215/60/r17. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake awkwardly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the rear tires needed to be replaced. The tires were not repaired.…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 1 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help