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.
2012 Jeep Compass electrical problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 23 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Jeep Compass, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Jeep compass. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning and the check engine and battery warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was diagnosed as an electrical issue. The battery and alternator were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.…
Driving on the turnpike 11/10/2016 at 530am 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…
Had electrical trouble with your 2012 Jeep Compass?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2012 Jeep Compass?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 19,000 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 52,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,000; a quarter make it past 115,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Jeep/Compass.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.