Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
I'm in Bradley, Illinois, and after the first snowfall, these indicators lit up. The ABS, the ESC, and the 4WD. I thought because of inclement weather, they would go off, but have remained lit for a couple of weeks now. One day, while driving to work, the throttle lagged, and I couldn't accelerate past 20 mph for over 10 minutes amidst heavy traffic. When this occurred, the ABS light turned off, then suddenly lit up again, and the truck sped up. This has happened several times. I was told all recalls were repaired, so I am wondering if this is a new concern? Please advise. Thank you for your help and time.
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Jeep Compass. While driving 25 MPH, smoke emerged from the dashboard. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder lane and caught fire near the liftgate. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The source of the fire was never determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000. Updated 07/11/17
This has happened a few times now. Was told by dealer they have to be driving it when the problem occurs. Twice now, I lost all electrical power. No lights, no hazards, no power steering. It is like I have no battery at all. Everything is dead. One time I was parked, and lost all power, came back on in a few minutes. The second time, it was dark out. I had just made a turn, aprox 100 feet after, I lost all power again. This time I was in motion, cars behind me, I had absolutely no lights. No hazards. I wasn't even able to make it to the shoulder, it happened so quickly. Luckily it was a turn and vehicles hadn't reached the speed limit yet. Not only could I have been hit, but the other vehicles behind me as well. My car wasn't easily noticable. The car behind me was able to stop in time before rear ending me, and turned their hazards on. …
"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 jeeps?
Tl* 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, [phone]), 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.
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 and push it off the road. Beyond the danger involved in these failures the financial burden of having to miss work while the manufacturer takes it's sweet time getting the part to the dealership is devastating. My family and I simply cannot remain financially solvent through another of these failures as I am a single parent supporting a family of four.
The transmission dipstick tube is broken in in 5 years with less than 42000 miles! No one touch it, just today afternoon, after I filled the gas, I found something stretch out in the front under the cover, I look closely, a tube! I open the cover, and found the transmission tube has been broken sometime! No one has tough inside, and there is no accident in my car. The Jeep Compass design must have defect, I search online, many people have same problem! Also, could not pull up the windows, but could pull down the window, the electrical system has defects.
Driving on the turnpike 11/10/2016 at 530 am nearing ext. 6 my truck shut off, I made it to the car shop and they stated it was the sensors. I proceeded to call the Jeep dealer and they stated senors are not covered in any warranty and that my extended warranty does cover it as well. Im very disappointed in the pointless purchase of my warranty, and the fact that I could have been killed on the turnpike. Also my truck makes this loud squeaking noise but I have taken it to 3 shops and no one knows what it is, but they all agreed it is not the brakes.
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 turned back on again with no issues or check engine light. Check engine came back on later in the day. This seems to be a recurring issue. Mechanic was unsure if it had something to do with a sensor or crankshaft issue.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Software
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.
Electrical complaints in other Compass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Jeep Compass?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Jeep Compass, 13% of the model year's 184 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Jeep Compass electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-233 (software, Jun 4, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Compass electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.