10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,439 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Jeep Compass engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Jeep Compass Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Dec 012022

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 over

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

problem #32

Jul 122022

Compass

  • miles
I've recently out of the blue developed problems with my car. For some reason it want crank ( 2), air-conditioner making popping noise as well stopped working, and it also jerks shortly after cranking ( like a hiccup. Please let me know something as quickly as possible if my vehicle has any recalls. I would highly appreciate it.

- Rayville, LA, USA

problem #31

Jan 272022

Compass

  • miles
We have been receiving a check engine light on our 2012 Jeep Compass for code P0420. Reset the system but subsequently vehicle failed emissions testing. After some research we discovered this model vehicle and several others were supposed to be receiving a recall of the catalytic converters. Please see this article on cars.com dated March 2019 https://www.cars.com/articles/863000-chrysler-dodge-and-jeep-vehicles-recall-alert-1420757576994/ I searched our vin# on your website and it showed no recalls. Is Chrysler Fiat dragging this out or are we going to be able to get this fixed at the dealership ? Please advise - Thanks.

- Parkesburg, PA, USA

problem #30

Sep 112021

Compass

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had constant problems already reported with this vehicle. The transmission overheats and dies on me or gets sluggish on the highway traffic. Today it completely died on me. After pulling over giving a minute it started back up. Jeep should be ashamed of themselves. So many ppl are reporting this same issue. They need to recall these cheap poorly made transmisdionscthat they already no are faulty. This is the 100th time this vehicle does this while in traffic im terrified to drive to work and have to leave hours early because of this

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #29

Dec 102020

Compass

  • 160,000 miles
2012 Jeep Compass engine shuts down while driving on city streets and county roadways. Loss of power and steering control. Engine will crank again after waiting for a few minutes. Check engine light comes on prior to shutting down.

- Kosciusko, MS, USA

problem #28

Oct 072020

Compass

  • 162,000 miles
I came to a complete stop at a traffic light back to back days and my car rpms went to zero and I could not do anything. I was able to put my hazards on and after a few minutes turned my car back on and it worked fine. I had two kids in the vehicle during this time. I have read forums with similar issues

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #27

Jun 182020

Compass 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine over heats at 60 to 70 mph and then begin to lose power. The car slows down, the engine light comes on. This has happened 5 times since 2019 while on the highway. Now the transmission is failing because it won't change gears and it makes a whining sound when you try to accelerate. On the city street.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #26

Jun 102020

Compass 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
While driving at highway speeds, suddenly unable to apply gas or control steering and vehicle slowed as if gas pedal was not depressed at all. A second time, after coming to a stop sign the engine shut down. The radio and other electronics remained on but vehicle would not restart. Had vehicle towed to independent service shop and unable to duplicate problem or locate any error code.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

problem #25

Jan 142020

Compass

  • miles
Engine stalls while at highway speed. Have to hurry and pull over before stearing locks up. It's been happening since I got the vehicle. Had it in 3 to 4 times and the dealer says there is nothing wrong. It happened again twice this week. I'm lucky I've been able to pull over with out causing a wreak.

- Fayettville, NC, USA

problem #24

Nov 012019

Compass

  • 171,000 miles
Engine stutters when accelerating. The engine has done this for a couple years but is steady getting worse. Also check engine light came in with a catalyst system efficiency below threshold tank 1

- Berlin, MD, USA

problem #23

Oct 032019

Compass

  • 137,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. While driving less than 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. On two previous occasions, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. On three separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to gator Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (840 S harbor city blvd, melbourne, fl 32901, (321) 724-6611), but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was also taken to two independent mechanics who were also unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,900.

- Rockledge, FL, USA

problem #22

Aug 302019

Compass

  • 115,000 miles
"takata recall" throttle body sensors. My teenage daughter was driving my Jeep and all of a sudden the Jeep slowed down and would not accelerate and she barely had enough time to pull over on the side of a 2 lane highway. She barely had cell phone signal to call me to tell me she was stranded. She was in a dead zone by air force base and was going about 45mph during heavy traffic hour. I'm glad she was understood something was wrong and quickly put on hazard lights, pull over, and shut off the Jeep. She mentioned a lighting bolt light on but didn't feel the Jeep was over heating. The beginning of 2019 I had a recall for the catalytic converter efficiency which I did get fixed and about 4 months later (5sep19) I purchased a new throttle body sensor and the labor work turned out to $800. Why would this not be part of the warranty or recall or is this a continuing issue for other Jeep?

- Fountain, CO, USA

problem #21

Jul 102019

Compass

  • 120,000 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 dangerous (and possibly deadly) position of trying to manually (w/O power) steer and/or brake the vehicle at high rates of speed in fast and dense traffic.

- Pittsfield, ME, USA

problem #20

Mar 292019

Compass

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. While driving 40 mph, the contact was unable to accelerate and the transmission warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and then drove to all star Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (11503 St charles rock rd, bridgeton, mo 63044, (314) 291-2050). The dealer stated that the VIN was included in an unknown recall regarding the catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the vehicle failed twice afterwards. During the recent failure, while driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled and the engine failed again. The contact had the vehicle towed to century Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (13500 veterans memorial pkwy, wentzville, mo 63385, (636) 332-2800), but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #19

Apr 052019

Compass

  • 105,000 miles
While driving, cars engine shut off. I would try to start it, sometimes it would start back up again I would drive it and then the engine would shut off and slowly stop moving. Car was diagnosed with the engine code P0335 and P0339 crankshaft position sensor malfunction/intermittent. Within the same week of having it replaced, now I'm having issues filling the tank with gas. Gas pump stops filling every 0.2 gallons and clicks. Tried moving the gas pump in different positions but still won't fill. Gas ends up bubbling and overflows even though the tank is only at a quarter tank. Looks like this is very common with Jeep compasses. It's either the fuel tank transfer tube or need to get the whole gas tank replaced.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

problem #18

Feb 102019

Compass 4-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Vehicle spontaneously caught fire in driveway. Contact stated the inspector who inspected the Jeep said fire was due to electrical issues.

- Cut Bank, MT, USA

problem #17

Oct 012018

Compass

  • 77,000 miles
While driving at various speeds, the car would shut off and lost control of steering and brakes. Component ended up being a crankshaft position sensor. Car did not throw any codes for approx 4 months to help determine the issue and was not able to be recreated easily. Eventually a code showing a failed computer and failing transmission came up. Further research suggested replacing this component.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #16

Oct 272018

Compass

  • 74,880 miles
Upon doing a total fill up our Jeep, it is now stalling and I end up with no steering. This does it at least 4/5 times each time we fill fuel tank up. Extremely dangerous as unable to steer and entire engine shuts done. This has done this with my family in the car about a minute after getting fuel, if not less, and turning onto a busy street where Jeep stopped running. The vehicle was in motion when this happened, both turning onto busy street and whilst driving on busy street.

- Philo, OH, USA

problem #15

Jul 282018

Compass

  • 90,000 miles
The vehicle jerks on acceleration or loses power and the engine bucks and sputters while in motion. When rolling up windows while stationary the lights dim or engine sputters. This has happened off and on for the past two years. Only recently has is scared me because I was about to pull out into oncoming traffic. I was told by the dealership in chantilly, va there is nothing wrong with my engine. My passenger seatbelt gets stuck after being engaged. I had it replaced in fall 2012 at a dealership in woodbridge, va. I still have this issue and the new dealership will not replace it because it already was in 2012.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #14

Aug 152018

Compass

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and the transmission overheating warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Ashland, OH, USA

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