What 325 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Patriot

The catalytic converter failed. It had to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11476711

While driving in heavy traffic, there was a Red light and attempted to slow the vehicle. The engine started to jerk forward and the RPMs were increasing without my foot on the accelerator! My foot was on the brake! I was able to turn into a gas station to get to a safer place to park the vehicle. While attempting to park in a parking space the vehicle continued to accelerate by itself, again my foot was applied to the brake pedal. I was literally fighting to stop the vehicle and almost ran into the barrier where customers were walking. Once turning off the vehicle and restarting the engine, it was operating correctly while I’m reverse. I then shifted into drive, and the vehicle lunged forward and the engine accelerated by itself. It drove up to 45 miles per hour without my foot on the accelerator and foot resting on the brake pedal. A complete stop was a fight, as soon as there was any brake pedal release the engine lunged forward.

NHTSA ODI 11476448

Airbag light , traction control light ,abs light , brake light all are on

NHTSA ODI 11475603

I took Jeep 2011with only 77,000 miles on it in for new brakes and was told that the REAR SUB FRAME and CROSS MEMBER BAR are completely RUSTED OUT and that it needs to be replaced. according to my own online research this seems to be a VERY COMMON PROBLEM with Jeeps. Perhaps this warrants a recall. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11474863

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was inspected by the contact's friend, who noticed that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471596

I went to get my car inspected and was told that I would need to replace my cross member/subframe which would cost thousands. I was trying to figure out how to fix it for less when I came across a discussion board where everyone with these vehicles were having the same problem. I also look on YouTube and all the comments under multiple videos showing how to replace it also had the same problem. This issue is Chrysler knew this was an issue and extended the warranty for that part and most owner of that vehicle had no idea they did. The owner ended up paying thousands for the part or trading their car in and buying another one. I believe Chrysler quietly extended the warranty and never properly notified vehicle owners of the extension. They also didn’t make any type of public announcement that would inform drivers who brought the cars used after one or more owners had it. They also did not allot enough time for the warranty. In the extension letter to dealership I dug up online was announced in 2017. The cars with this issue where produced in 2008-12 but they only extended the warranty to ten years from the start of service. That means if you brought a car in 2008 you would have had less than one year to realize you where eligible for a new subframe under warranty. Also they should have recalled the parts since so many people were have issues with it. And if one’s lived in a state where they don’t need safety inspections they would never have known.

NHTSA ODI 11469876

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that there was a rattling noise coming from under the hood of the vehicle while driving. On another occasion while driving approximately 20 MPH, the speedometer went 0 MPH and failed to function as needed. The vehicle stalled shortly afterward and was coasted to the side of the roadway. The contact had the vehicle towed from the scene. The contact stated the failure occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,362.

NHTSA ODI 11467205

My Jeep will not pass inspection because of excessive rust/rot on the front and rear sub frame. To have both front and rear sub frames repaired will cost me approximately $3,000 dollars, which I do not have. This should have been recalled and covered by manufacturer long before this time. What am I suppose to do know with no usable vehicle ???

NHTSA ODI 11466249

Subframe rust so bad that the car has subsequently been deemed unsafe to drive. It is available for inspection. Safety put at risk due to insufficient support of frame at contact points of steering and stability mechanisms. Presently, vehicle has. Not been inspected by anyone other than myself and personal mechanic. There was absolutely no safety light, warnings or otherwise to indicate a problem. This apparently has been an ongoing issue with this year/make/model which absolutely needs to initiate a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11460903

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the subframe inadvertently lowered. Additionally, the contact stated that the muffler was rusted. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact notified the local dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a discount on the cost of the parts. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ODI 11458713

After filling up with gas, the vehicle sputtered, stalled and the steering locked up.

NHTSA ODI 11455281

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. While the contact's daughter was driving 25 MPH, the steering failed to operate as designed and the rear of the vehicle stated to swerve to the right and left. The driver drove the vehicle to her destination and her father inspected the rear end and found that the rear cross members were completely rusted away. The daughter had noticed that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11455004

After filling up the gas tank, when I drive away, the car jerks and loses power for a minute with in a mile of leaving the gas station. Nj pumps gas for me so the tank is not overfilled. My power steering goes down for a moment as my car sputters. Then after a minute it drives great until the next time I fill up my tank. Forums have stated it is a bad charcoal cannister. Many jeep patriot owners have complained about this. It is very unsafe when this happens on the road. I fear driving my toddler now.

NHTSA ODI 11453145

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an unrelated issue, the contact was informed that the rear subframe was severely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ODI 11449941

I brought my Jeep Patriot 2011 for a recall. However, after taking the vehicle to the dealer for a recall check out, the jeep came up with a sound like TA, TA,TA... from the gloves compartment and went I stated the air conditioning or the heating when the weather become cooler.

NHTSA ODI 11449383

The vehicle completely shut down in the middle of accelerating into a turn. Full loss of power and the engine was hesitant to restart for a few minutes.

NHTSA ODI 11443696

Rear suspension lower control arm disconnected from the rear crossmember due to crossmember rust. The manufacturer isn't honoring the x69 front and rear crossmember rust out extended warranty because the vehicle is a few weeks past 10 years, but the vehicle was at the dealer a year before the warranty ran out and the rear crossmember was apparently not inspected, only the front suspension was looked at according to the Multi Point inspection recommendations. Consumer stated dealers diagnosis blames a rusty lower control arm for the failure, which isn't true.

NHTSA ODI 11442643

Front cross member (Subframe is completely rusted)Causing a loud thumping noise when applying brakes or driving over bumps in the road. Very dangerous if the subframe would come completely separated from the vehicles body.(THIS Should definitely be a RECALL and why it hasn't been is a real mystery to me. This is not an isolated problem. Every Patriot owner I have talked to seem to have the same problem. Chrysler is aware of this too. I am expressing my deep concern on this matter and I know that there won't be a [XXX] thing done about it. I will be left with fixing this [XXX] on my own. In the meantime I refuse to let my wife drive the [XXX] thing until it is fixed. Chrysler should be held accountable for this defect but I'm sure that they won't. Wife bought this vehicle brand new in 2011 against my better judgement. But she's the one that paid for it. Now I'm paying for it in repair costs. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11438584

I’m the third owner of the vehicle. Didn’t know there was a rust problem on the subframe that holds the engine mount. During most recent oil change noticed the frame was rusting through. Called fca and the extended warranty they sent to the other owners expired 5 months previous to me noticing the problem. They wouldn’t make exception to the warranty even though I had no previous knowledge that this was an issue. Car is in great condition except the possibility of the engine falling out of car. No rust on the car except for the frame where the air conditioning drips.

NHTSA ODI 11435523

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that most times the vehicle would restart soon after the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was once towed to his home after the failure but restarted the next day. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11435531

Every single time after putting gas, my car wont go further than 10 feet without turning off/stalling. Some times it wont turn back on and takes several tries to get it back up and running. I feel at risk for my life and those in the car with me because not only does it stall but my steering wheel locks everytime and I am unable to move or do anything. God forbid one day it stops and a car is headed in my direction I will be stuck in place. I have read online multiple people have had this issue but no one can seem to find a definitive solution. This started to happen around winter of 2019/spring 2020 and has been happening ever since. The date I recorded below is the most recent time it's occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11433149

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic, the mechanic discovered a significant amount of rust to the sub frame of the vehicle. The mechanic informed her that there might have been a recall on the vehicle for the corrosion. The mechanic also informed her that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the amount of rust on the suspension. The contact then called the dealer and was informed that there was a warranty on the vehicle for the corrosion on the subframe however, the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11426859

rust holes in front sub frame

NHTSA ODI 11426407

Structural issue/rust - engine cradle - front cross member rusted through on underside of Jeep. The car broke down while we were traveling and had to have a cross member replaced at a dealership. The car ran but was noisy and unsafe to drive, and we were 4 hours from home. Despite having an oil change recently, we were not warned of the issue. The replacement cost about $1500 out of pocket.

NHTSA ODI 11426412

The front subframe rusted through on the left hand side which in turn caused the lower control arm to shift outward preventing full steering capabilities. There was a warranty extension dated back from 2017, brought into service on December of 2019, to the Chrysler dealership where it was purchased for lights on the cluster and a steering vibration and no one mentioned the subframe issue that was persisting on this model year. Was told rather that it needed a new bearing and a speed sensor. Replaced both and the issue wasn’t fixed. I am told now (July 2021) that this extension expired in March of this same year. Was told by both the dealer and the customer service hotline that there is absolutely nothing they can do. They also mentioned that there should have been a letter sent out for this warranty extension but nothing was ever received. Been at the same address since well before the purchase date of this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11424452