2012 Jeep Compass Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 20%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Jeep Compass, 20% of the 184 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 my Jeep it just stalled on me in the middle of the city road with no warning at all the car doesn't turn off it just won't drive anymore when I push on the gas pedal so I just put the car in park and turn the car off and turn it back on and it drives it does this a lot to me while I am driving it.”
NHTSA complaint #11114230, filed 2018-07, 11,000 miles“While driving my Jeep all of a sudden the engine stalled. No warning. No other issues. I tried to restart and my engine light came on and the electronic throttle control {etc} light came on. The engine would not turn over, but kept trying to start until I turned keys to off. I waited 10 minutes and tried it again. It started, however the engine light stayed on. I was able to drive home without another incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11062525, filed 2018-01, 57,000 miles“After I pumped gas into the car, as soon as I exited the gas station and entered on the street the car engine goes off, no power steering, no acceleration. I pull over to the right and put the car on park and restart the car. It was ok. I was hesistant to get on the freeway so I drove to a empty lot to see if it happen again and sure enough as soon as I travel a few yards, the engine goes off again. Scary if it happens in the middle of the freeway with lots of traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #11083816, filed 2018-04, 120,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11143464, filed 2018-10, 74,880 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11034343Jun 18, 2026Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
- 10177457Jun 24, 2020THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply is limited.
- 10188659Apr 4, 2013The above vehicles are equipped with a saddle style fuel tank and may experience a condition where the transfer of fuel from the secondary side of the fuel tank to the primary…
- 10216272Mar 6, 2013Flash: MIL Illumination P050B and/or Rattle/Clatter Sound on Cold Start-up This bulletin involves installing revised heater hoses, routing the purge solenoid wire harness, and…
- 10136482Mar 6, 2013Flash: MIL Illumination P050B and/or Rattle/Clatter Sound on Cold Start-up This bulletin involves installing revised heater hoses, routing the purge solenoid wire harness, and…
- 10128948Feb 6, 2013Gasoline Engine Diagnostic Inspection Procedure This bulletin provides a procedure to determine repair versus replacement of a gasoline long block engine assembly. This procedure…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 10% |
| 2024 | 7 | 13% |
| 2023 | 7 | 14% |
| 2022 | 37 | 16% |
| 2021 | 18 | 22% |
| 2020 | 79 | 55% |
| 2019 | 161 | 49% |
| 2018 | 475 | 50% |
| 2017 | 71 | 31% |
| 2016 | 135 | 46% |
| 2015 | 30 | 27% |
| 2014 | 91 | 30% |
| 2013 | 10 | 13% |
| 2012 | 36 | 20% |
| 2011 | 30 | 16% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2009 | 5 | 11% |
| 2008 | 13 | 14% |
| 2007 | 37 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2012 Jeep Compass
44 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Jeep Compass
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology