Recall 13V120 affects 20,799 2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles for a fuel transfer tube defect. Repair is free at any franchised Jeep dealer.
Jeep recall 13V120 covers 20,799 2012 Compass and Patriot vehicles because an incorrectly manufactured transfer tube can interrupt fuel movement inside the tank and stall the engine. A stall while driving increases crash risk, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The fuel tank on the 2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot uses a transfer tube to move gasoline inside the tank. That tube carries fuel from the secondary side of the tank to the primary side, where the fuel pump pickup feeds the engine. The system depends on that internal tube keeping fuel moving between the two sides of the tank.
On affected vehicles, the transfer tube was manufactured incorrectly. When the tube does not transfer fuel as designed, fuel stays on the secondary side instead of reaching the primary side. The engine then loses fuel supply even though gasoline remains in the tank, and the engine can stall.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the transfer is interrupted while driving, the stall can happen without a fuel-system warning that gives the driver time to react.
Who's affected?
Covers both Compass and Patriot SUVs from the same model year, with the fuel system listed for each.
| 2012 Jeep Compass | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Jeep Patriot | fuel system |
| Units affected | 20,799 |
A matching 2012 Jeep Compass or Patriot does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Engine stall while driving can raise crash risk because the vehicle loses propulsion in traffic. If the engine stalls, pull over safely, keep the vehicle stopped, and call a Jeep dealer for repair guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Jeep dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Jeep Compass or Patriot is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule the free fuel tank transfer tube replacement that fixes the fuel-transfer problem linked to engine stalling.
- Bring the recall notice if Jeep mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V120 when you call.
- Call Jeep customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions before your dealer visit.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and pull over away from traffic if the engine stalls.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Jeep technician replaces the fuel tank transfer tube in the fuel tank. That tube moves fuel from the secondary side of the tank to the primary side; when it is built incorrectly, fuel transfer can stop and the engine can stall. The recall remedy covers the replacement tube and labor at no charge. Schedule the recall with a Jeep dealer and ask the service desk to confirm campaign 13V120 applies to your VIN before the repair order is opened.
Timeline
| April 3, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 19, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V120?
Recall 13V120 covers 20,799 2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles with an incorrectly manufactured fuel tank transfer tube. Fuel transfer inside the tank can stop, causing the engine to stall while driving and increasing crash risk. Jeep dealers replace the fuel tank transfer tube for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Jeep Compass or Patriot is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V120. If it is, contact a franchised Jeep dealer to schedule the fuel tank transfer tube replacement. Reference recall number 13V120 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Jeep dealer will replace the fuel tank transfer tube free of charge, including parts and labor, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is an engine stall while driving. The recall says an incorrectly manufactured transfer tube can interrupt fuel transfer inside the tank, which can shut the engine off and increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my Jeep Compass or Patriot used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner, so a used 2012 Jeep Compass or Patriot still qualifies if its VIN is included. Check your VIN and give recall number 13V120 to the Jeep dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V120000 |
|---|---|
| Jeep customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V120 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V120000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →