2012 Jeep Compass Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe refueling trouble — the pump clicking off early, fuel trickling in or splashing back — and engine stalling or shutting off while driving, sometimes with a crankshaft position sensor code. A separate cluster of reports covers the automatic transmission overheating on long or hot drives and dropping into a reduced-power mode, plus air bag and seat belt concerns tied to open recalls.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

   • 38 complaints (21%)
   • median 52,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out without warning at highway or city speeds, sometimes with the check engine light and a loss of power steering and brakes, and often restarting after a short wait. Several owners report a crankshaft position sensor code (P0335) as the diagnosed cause. Others say the dealer could not reproduce the fault or found no stored codes. Most often reported between about 35,000 and 160,000 miles, at various speeds and sometimes repeatedly.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the crankshaft position sensor or PCM programming has been addressed, and scan for stored codes rather than relying on a warning light that has cleared.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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”

   NHTSA complaint #11363277, filed 2020-10, 162,000 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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11196503, filed 2019-04, 105,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump clicks off early / tank won't fill

   • 38 complaints (21%)
   • median 50,750 mi at 7.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners describe the fuel nozzle clicking off after a fraction of a gallon, so filling the tank takes many minutes of trickling fuel in by hand; some report fuel splashing back onto them. Several say a dealer or independent shop traced it to the fuel tank roll-over valve and quoted a tank replacement. A number of owners state their VIN was not included in the related recall (12V142000) despite the same symptom. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 34,000 to 97,000 miles, and in some cases soon after a sensor repair.

   Recall 12V142000

   What to check: Try filling the tank during a test drive and see whether the nozzle clicks off early; ask whether the fuel tank or roll-over valve has been replaced and whether recall 12V142000 applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Unable to fuel vehicle. Gasoline refuel stops after 1/4 gallon is pumped. Gas sprays back on person filling if you are not expecting the splash. Jeep indicates that this vehicle is not covered under recall m11, as it was built on feb 1, 2012 and the window for recall was december 20, 2011 through january 5, 2012. According to the VIN, my vehicle is within 200 vehicles of the recall. Jeep is replacing my gas tank as a cost of over $1500.”

   NHTSA complaint #11281095, filed 2019-11, 50,750 miles

   “I have a 2012 Jeep Compass 4 x 4 and when attempting to fuel the vehicle the fuel pump nozzle will not stay locked in to pump fuel until full. Took the vehicle to the dealer and was told it was the roll over valve in the fuel tank was stuck and that the fuel tank would have to be replaced. I read about the safety recall NHTSA # m11 and m14 which stated that 2012 Jeep Compass and patriot produced between 12/17/2011 and 01/02/2012 had damaged roll over valves installed in the tanks and where subject to the recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11365823, filed 2020-10, 33,300 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission overheats, drops to reduced power

   • 16 complaints (9%)
   • median 92,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2021

   Owners report a transmission temperature light, a whining noise and a loss of speed, with the vehicle refusing to go much above 45 mph until it cools down. Several describe it happening on long highway drives and on hot days, sometimes worse with the air conditioning on. Shops are often unable to find codes, and some owners say a transmission replacement was recommended. Typically reported between roughly 55,000 and 136,000 miles, on long trips or hot-weather driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive long enough to warm the transmission, listen for whining, and ask whether the transmission fluid and any control module reprogramming have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission temp light came on and car lost speed and made funny whining noise. We had to pull off the road and wait till light went off. It was a warm day, about 94 degrees and driving in wy. Same thing happened again in ks on a warm day. The AC was being used. I've seen may reports of this happening to other cars with the CVT. I want Jeep to replace the tyranny.”

   NHTSA complaint #11011948, filed 2017-08, 79,000 miles

   “When traveling to a wedding from denver to ft. Collins, the transmission warning light came on and began to lose speed. I pulled over and let sit for about 10-15 minutes, turned it back on and continued my drive. This is the second time that it has happened and it seems to do it more on long trips and hot days. It's very annoying, especially when trying to get somewhere. Is there a recall on this car or is this something that we have to deal with? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10909725, filed 2016-09, 63,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag and seat belt deployment concerns

   • 25 complaints (14%)
   • median 73,500 mi at 5.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2023

   Complaints describe an occupant restraint control module or software problem that owners learned about through recall notices, with owners reporting that parts were unavailable or the repair was delayed. Others describe a collision where side air bags deployed but the frontal air bags did not, and seat belts that would not buckle or unlatch. Reported at mileages from roughly 67,000 up, often as owners followed up on open recalls.

   Recall 16V668000Recall 13V233000

   What to check: Verify with a dealer that recalls 16V668000 and 13V233000 have been completed on the VIN, and check that all seat belts buckle, release and retract properly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased the Jeep febuary 28th 2013, from orr honda texarkana tx. I was not informed the vehicle had any problems or recalls at that time. Within a couple days of having the vehicle I noticed the seat belts would spontaneously unlock and open. I also noticed that the vehicle seemed to have an acceleration problem it was sluggish and sounded like it was not changing gears. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10573430, filed 2014-03, 32,258 miles

   “I do not feel safe driving my vehicle when the seat belts and air bags may not work in a collision! Currently there are no parts to fix this issue and the recall was initiated in september of 2016--it has been almost a year! What about children riding in the vehicle?!”

   NHTSA complaint #11005570, filed 2017-07, 67,000 miles
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Transmission dipstick tube breaks off

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 58,739 mi at 5.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2020

   Owners report the transmission fluid fill or dipstick tube snapping off and hanging under the vehicle, sometimes noticed only as a dragging part or after seeing it on the ground. Some worry the open tube lets debris or water into the transmission. Complaints do not describe a consistent dealer resolution. Reported from about 44,000 to 90,000 miles.

   What to check: Look under the vehicle for a hanging or missing transmission fill tube and confirm the tube is intact and properly secured.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving to work I heard a clanking noise. I approached a stop light and was told by someone standing by the light that there was something dragging underneath my vehicle. I reached my destination and once the car was parked got out to see what it was. A metal tube was dangling from my undercarriage. I went and got a coworker to help me. He pulled it out and told me it was part of transmission; it was the metal transmission fill tube. He looked under my trunk and pointed out that it snapped and broke off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10610480, filed 2014-07, 44,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that the transmission dipstick tube fractured and could be seen from the bottom of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was not available.”

   NHTSA complaint #10993534, filed 2017-06, 60,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection check the fuel filler and tank for the clicking-off refueling symptom, scan for stored powertrain codes, drive long enough to warm the transmission, and confirm both restraint recalls were completed for the VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.