Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Jeep Compass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
- 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 the issue has happened to other cars, but in my case they could not help me because my car is not under warranty. They told me they could not assist and requested I call Jeep Customer Care. - Jeep Customer Care replied ""We have review the information on your case and sadly found that we are unable to offer any assistance with the head restraint repair." - The vehicle component has not been inspected. - No warning lights, messages or symptoms of the problem
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. While driving 45 MPH drove over black ice and loss control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into an embankment, rolled over twice and crashed into another embankment that brought the vehicle to a stop. The driver and passenger side air bags deployed however the frontal air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to the head and was taken to the hospital for medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The insurance deemed vehicle a total loss and referred the contact to NHTSA. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Jeep Compass. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a ditch on the side of a mountain. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not wearing a seat belt. It was stated that the seat belt had a history of loosening. A police report was filed. The contact was killed in the crash. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
Rec'd notice from FCA regarding recall, s61/nhta16v-688. After contacting FCA, was informed that part required would be available by 1 June 2017. Have yet to hear from FCA nor could a rep tell me when part would be available. Situation is such that the affected vehicle can not be sold or traded and is loosing value. Vehicle is parked and essentially unusable as it could produce more harm than good to myself or others if used and an incident occurs. FCA is not responding as they stated or as I requested nor have they provided reimbursement for diagnostic work done a local dealer as they initially promised.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V668000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and recommended diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 30,200.
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?!
I received a recall for a defective seat belt and air bag assembly in my 2012 Jeep Compass weeks ago. Because this vehicle is used in a fleet capacity, I pulled it from service immediately. I talked to Dodge and was told there is no remedy at this time. I then asked for a loaner vehicle until my vehicle was safe to drive and was told that Dodge doesn't have a rental program for recalls. I don't know how this manufacture doesn't have a plan to rectify an inconvenience that their customers have to go through regarding a problem that wasn't the customers fault to begin with. I'm very unhappy Dodge treats customers like this.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V668000 (seat belts, air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted (bergeron Jeep in new orleans, la) and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V233000 (air bags, seat belts, electrical system) and 16V668000 (seat belts, air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. James serenity greenville (3064 us-82, greenville, ms 38703, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedies. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
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 before and ask again if they fix this light but they told me they charge for inspection that light I think that recall make me more problem then do good for my car I think that recall cause that problem.what I can do with this car??
Related recalls
Air bags
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Jeep Compass, 15% of the model year's 184 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Jeep Compass airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-668 (air bags, Sep 15, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Compass airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.