The 2012 Jeep Compass has had lots of improvements in the 2011 model, which include available four-wheel drive (4WD) and front-wheel drive models (FWD). Since those upgrades, the Compass provides good connectivity to the road and comes with an available manual transmission option.
Key Features
The 2012 Compass comes with a 2.0 four cylinder engine with 158 hp at 6,400 rpm. Fuel economy is 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for the FWD manual model. On the automatic transmission, fuel economy is estimated at 23 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Changes for 2012
The 2012 Jeep Compass did not receive any upgrades or new features for this year.
What We Like
The Sun and Sound Group includes nine Boston Acoustic speakers with Sirius Satellite radio offering an incredible sound system in the vehicle. The 4WD model can handle the trailhead or some sand when you take the vehicle off road. The interior materials provide a comfortable feel to the vehicle, while illuminated cup holders and navigation are nice to have features that come standard.
What Concerns Us
While the Compass is a Jeep, it is not the same as other Jeep models. If you are expecting it to go off road or live up to the standards of a Grand Cherokee, you are going to be disappointed. If you are looking for something such as a car based crossover, the Subaru Forester may be a better option.
Available Models
The Latitude model comes with a 2.4 liter four cylinder engine that offers 172 hp. It gets 21 mpg while driving in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. There are additional options such as Freedom Drive I, Freedom Drive II, and an Off-Road package depending on which features you want.
Major Recalls
In 2013, the Jeep Compass was recalled due to a software error that may delay or inhibit the deployment of the side curtain airbag or the seatbelt pre-tensioners. The Compass was also recalled in 2013 due to an incorrectly manufactured transfer tube, which may interrupt the transfer of fuel from the secondary side to the primary side. This can cause the engine to stall while driving. The Jeep Compass was recalled in 2012 due to some of the vehicles being built with a fuel tank assembly that had a damaged roll-over valve. This could cause a fuel leak and increase the risk of fire.
Common Issues
Common consumer complaints include the brakes grinding, brake failure, check engine light on, engine sputters, fuel tank issues, overheating, and the transmission leaking.
