What 325 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Patriot

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH attempting to reverse, there was an abnormal sound coming from near the rear wheel. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was not towed to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11616511

Frame rusted out front and rear cross members.

NHTSA ODI 11530454

The rear subframe has corroded through, causing the entire weight of the rear body to be improperly distributed. Per the Jeep service tech, this could cause a wheel to collapse. The vehicle is available for inspection at time of writing this. Jeep has inspected the vehicle and quoted for repair at $4,439.16. The only reason we were even made aware was because the vehicle had a flat tire and the tire shop noted the severe rust damage to the rear subframe. Jeep has acknowledged this as an issue and has released a Service Bulletin (23-007-17 Rev.B) which has now expired and owners were not notified of the potential problem.

NHTSA ODI 11524842

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while her vehicle was being repaired by an independent mechanic, she was informed that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired by the independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,524.

NHTSA ODI 11512120

Vehicle is known to have an issue with rusting subframe/crossmembers . Warranty on this vehicle was extended. (Service Bulletin 23-007-17, X69 Warranty Extension) However upon multiple dealer visits and requesting inspection was not notified that issue was happening. Approximately 1.5 years after warranty extension had expired noticeable issues started occurring including noises that got worse and prompted a visit to dealer. Had to fight tooth and nail to get dealership or company to work with me on repairs on low mileage (121K) vehicle and even then they missed 1/2 the problem and told me not to come back to the shop. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - See beginning - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Front crossmember completely rotted out and separated, holding on by only control arm - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes, know issues but wording of service bulletin and dealership neglect result in customer not being informed or postponement of repair until too late - Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Dealership - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No warning other than single notification of warranty extension, asked for vehicle inspection 7 months prior to warranty expiration and given an all good -

NHTSA ODI 11511055

Rear crossmember subframe rusted through. Front crossmember subframe rusting. Vehicle unsafe for driving

NHTSA ODI 11503573

Took vehicle to fix a power steering leak at the Jeep dealership. The technician was troubleshooting the issue and found that the lower sub frame crossmember assembly was almost completely rusted. They indicated if riding on rough roads a hitting a pot hole it would break completely and cause major damage and a driving safety issue. Went ahead and got the repair completed which was extremely expensive. This was a major safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11501776

Jeep Patriot 2011 Latitude with severe corrosion to front and rear subframe assemblies. Noted for recent emergence of clunking sound on front end when passing over dips and bumps. Made arrangement for towing of vehicle to personal mechanic to check out and also make state inspection. Noted to have severe fracture of front subframe then resting on axle and wheel assemblage parts. Rear subframe member in same condition with ability to poke holes through structural member. Conditiion resulted in failure to pass inspection. Vehicle deemed unsafe to drive. Further deterioration expected with potential for loss of steering or wheel falling off. Liability for accident or bodily harm in potential failure noted. Vehicle later towed to another mechanic with same determination. Vehicle towed to local body shop where Insurance agent denied accountability for collision or comprehensive coverage. Damage initially assessed at about $900 per part with accessory components to be added at discovery. Issue is well known to manufacturer via many complaint website postings I have since learned. Vehicle towed to another body shop which will assess and complete repair if practical. Second shop said they had repaired similar vehicle for same problem recently. Noted that subframes were manufactured in Mexico. This is inappropriate for regional application in Pennsylvania noted for harsh climate and road treatment. That vehicle was restored with Canada manufactured part of heavier gauge and quality. My vehicle is low mileage at 79000 miles, garage kept, driven locally only;engine fine. I have 2008 Town and Country Chryler and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with NO OBVIOUS signs of such wear. The corrosive factor accelerated since last inspection in Dec 2021. There were NO WARNING lights or signs upon emergence of the problem. This is serious safety issue where unexpectedly steering loss or wheel displacement could result in accident to self or others or crash.

NHTSA ODI 11490633

The back passenger tire started rubbing and smoking. After getting home, noticed the wheel was at an angle. After taking off the tire, noticed the whole rear suspension cradle was completely rusted through. I contacted Chrysler dealer to find out no recall. Contacted the place I purchased the jeep only 18 months ago, sent them pics, and was told "That is normal". I could have been on the Interstate or highway when the suspension broke. There was absolutely no warning signs this could happen or was going to happen. I have not driven much due to working from home since COVID. Has not been inspected since I don't know who to contact. So now I have a jeep sitting in my drive that I can't drive and still paying on.

NHTSA ODI 11485949

The rear subframe has completely rusted out. It actually broke due to the rust.

NHTSA ODI 11476764

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

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

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

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

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

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

Front and Rear Crossmembers have significant rust/corrosion. Fiat Chrysler TSB 23-007-17 rev. B provides 10 year warranty extension for cross-members on 2008-2012 Jeep Patriot vehicles in rust belt states (including Maryland and DC, but excluding Virginia). My wife's 2011 Jeep Patriot has significant front and rear crossmember rust, and for most of it's life was parked in Arlington, VA, 2 miles from the Washington DC border. FCA says that our vehicle is not covered by the TSB Extended Crossmember Warranty. I contacted FCA Customer Care to request that they apply this extended warranty coverage to our vehicle, based on the close proximity to rust belt states (~2 miles), existence of significant rust on both cross members, and the vehicle clearly being within the affected model years covered by the TSB. FCA documented my complaint in Case number 79657231, but advised that there is no process for me as an owner to request that the extended crossmember warranty be applied to our vehicle. Basically, nobody at Chrysler is even going to consider my request. I am reporting this to NHTSA because I believe the TSB that FCA issued fails to remediate safety concerns on all affected vehicles. Their unwillingness to even review my request demonstrates they are not at all concerned about customer or vehicle safety. They should be forced to fix this safety issue on all impacted vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11419474

Bought vehicle from Ray Price dealer 2 years ago with 81k miles Vehicle passed inspection with them(was already inspected upon purchase) was clearly told by salesman that vehicle didn't need to have warranty. Should raised a red flag being I purchase it cash for 10k. Began to notice a clunk sound..took it to my mechanic figuring it was just brakes and or rotors. He called me immediately and said the entire frame was rusted out. And good thing I made it to him and further driving I would have been in a severe accident. He told me to take it to the autobody shop. Upon inspection they found the entire subframe completely corroded. $2000 in repairs( not covered under any warranty) 3 weeks without car. Subframe and control arms had to be replaced

NHTSA ODI 11419580

2011 JEEP PATRIOT VIN# [XXX] WAS MADE AWARE THAT MY FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH ITS 10 YEARS OLD WITH WELL TAKING CARE OFF WITH 100000 MILES THE DEALER WON'T ANSWER MY ENQUIRERS. PLZ HELP ME. FINDING OUT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM ON THESES VEHICLES INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11407747

THE SUBFRAME AND REAR ARE RUSTING AND THE VEHICLE WON'T PASS INSPECTION AND THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD IF THE VEHICLE PASSES INSPECTION AND OUT OF NO WEAR THE RUST HITS AND THE VEHICLE IS NOW VERY UNSAFE. JEEP KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL. THEY REALLY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THANKS

NHTSA ODI 11405731

MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN TELLING ME THAT THE FRAME/SUBFRAME OF MY JEEP PATRIOT IS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE RUST HAS CORRODED OTHER PARTS OF MY CAR AND IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. THE CORROSION HAS SERIOUSLY DETERIORATED THE REAR CROSS MEMBER OF MY CAR. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF CLAIMS TO CHRYSLER ON THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGES OF SOME JEEP MAKES/MODELS. I ONCE TRIED CLAIMING THE WARRANTY BUT THE DEALER DENIED SERVICES TO MY CAR. I NEED HELP TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11395648