2012 Jeep Compass problems
The 2012 Jeep Compass was sold with an engine that we have documented: the OM651. The OM651 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as occupant restraint controller (ORC) that can prevent airbags and pretensioners from deploying.
2012 Jeep Compass score: low reliability
Calculated using only 8 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine1.16 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension10.0No documented faults
- Brakes10.0No documented faults
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering10.0No documented faults
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights8.61 fault
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior10.0No documented faults
- Airbags and safety7.11 fault
What changes compared with the 2011 Jeep Compass
- Score: 5.0 → 3.7
- No longer sold: 2.0 TDI
- No longer affected by: turbo with seized vanes or premature failure (2.0 TDI), dirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaks (2.0 TDI) and missing or badly placed rivet in the steering column (2011 cars) (rest of the car)
OM651 engine in the 2012 Jeep Compass
Names: 2.2 CRD 136 · 2.2 CRD 163
- With caution
OM651 2.2 CDI 120-190 hp (200/220 CDI, 114-119 CDI)
120–190 hp · OM651.911, OM651.924, OM651.930, OM651.940
It is the best-documented variant and, overall, reasonably reliable, but units built before 2011 (220 CDI) may still have piezo injectors, and those built before 2014 do not have the revised chain tensioner. Check whether the manufacturer's campaigns have been carried out, and the condition of the chain, before buying.[5][6][7]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failureYes: the OM651 timing chain can stretch prematurely, above all on units built up to 2013, and in 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz recalled around 114,000 vehicles in Germany over a defective sealing ring in the tensioner. A metallic rattle on a cold start is the first sign.Repair (garage): €2,000–€3,500Appears at around 120,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentInjectionDelphi piezo injector failure (220/250 CDI)Yes: 220 and 250 CDI models built between 2008 and 2011 had Delphi piezo injectors that were prone to failing and seizing in the cylinder head. Mercedes-Benz replaced them under warranty in 2009 and switched the 220 CDI to solenoid injectors from 2010-2011, but the 250 CDI kept them.Repair (garage): €3,600–€5,900
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlEGR and particulate filter clogging, and emissions software updatesThe particulate filter and EGR clog up with short journeys, as on any diesel with these systems. In addition, Germany's KBA required software updates on several models with this engine between 2018 and 2021 because of a function that reduced EGR outside a temperature range.Repair (garage): €800–€2,500
- High severityFrequency: CommonTurboVariable-geometry turbo failure and its pneumatic actuatorThe OM651's variable-geometry turbo tends to fail at the pneumatic actuator (cracks, loss of calibration) before the turbo itself. Symptoms range from a gradual loss of power to permanent limp mode, with whistling or smoke if the problem progresses.Repair (garage): €500–€3,000
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingCoolant leak from the thermostat connector and heat exchangerYes: the thermostat connector or housing on the cylinder head, and the oil-water heat exchanger, are common coolant leak points on the OM651. Mercedes-Benz even had a specific service action for the cylinder head connector.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionInjector seal leak and carbon build-up around the seat ("black death")The copper washer that seals each injector can start letting combustion gases past and form a crust of carbon around the injector, known as "black death". Caught in time, it is fixed with a new washer; if left, the injector can end up seized in the cylinder head.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Jeep Compass
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyOccupant restraint controller (ORC) that can prevent airbags and pretensioners from deployingYes: in 2017 Safety Gate and the British DVSA recalled Compasses (and Patriots) built from February 2009 to August 2014 because the occupant protection controller (ORC) can stop firing the airbags and pretensioners in a crash. In 2013 there was already another campaign that reprogrammed this controller on 2010 to 2012 cars.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHeadlights and lightsHeadlight levelling that does not work properly because of a misconfigured TIPM moduleYes: in 2008 the British DVSA recalled 3,213 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles (including Compass and Patriot) because the TIPM power module could be misconfigured and the headlight levelling system did not work properly. The fix was to reconfigure the TIPM.
Buying a 2012 Jeep Compass?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Jeep Compass reliable?
The 2012 Jeep Compass was sold with an engine that we have documented: the OM651. The OM651 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 2 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as occupant restraint controller (ORC) that can prevent airbags and pretensioners from deploying.
Is the 2012 Jeep Compass better than the 2011?
Our score goes from 5.0 in 2011 to 3.7 in 2012. No longer affected by: turbo with seized vanes or premature failure (2.0 TDI), dirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaks (2.0 TDI) and missing or badly placed rivet in the steering column (2011 cars) (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Jeep Compass?
According to our score, the best is 2016 (8.6/10). The year with the worst score is 2013 (3.6/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Jeep Compass have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (OM651, critical severity), occupant restraint controller (ORC) that can prevent airbags and pretensioners from deploying (airbags and safety, critical severity), delphi piezo injector failure (220/250 CDI) (OM651, high severity), eGR and particulate filter clogging, and emissions software updates (OM651, high severity) and variable-geometry turbo failure and its pneumatic actuator (OM651, high severity).
Own a 2012 Jeep Compass? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Jeep CompassWikipedia (de) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
- Jeep CompassWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
- Jeep CompassWikipedia (es) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
- Jeep PatriotWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
- Mercedes OM651: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Mercedes-Rückruf: Wieder Probleme mit dem OM651-DieselmotorAutoservicepraxis · Motoring press · published 12 January 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Mercedes OM651 : injecteurs, chaîne, fiabilitéAutoCopilot · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French