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2012 Jeep Patriot
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
353 owner complaints · 4 recalls · data verified July 24, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2010–2014 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict, worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2012 Jeep Patriot.
Why caution?
4 recall campaigns (4 safety-critical). Confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the seller's VIN.
Engine problems dominate (32% of complaints, typically reported near 30k miles).
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#280 of 466Among the 2012 models with a matured record, the 2012 Jeep Patriot ranks #280, scoring higher than 10% of them. See the 2012 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
3 open NHTSA defect investigations on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2012 Jeep Patriot, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Airbags (56) · Seat belts (36)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
32%114 complaints · typically near 30k mi
“The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted; ho…”
Fuel system
29%101 complaints · typically near 52k mi · 5 in the last 2 years
“roll over valve in gas tank on a 2012 Jeep Patriot.”
Transmission & drivetrain
18%63 complaints · typically near 49k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal whining sound emanating from underneath the v…”
Airbags
16%56 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“DRIVING DOWN THE STREET CAR STALLING AS ESC WARNING AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD NOT DRIVE AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 4 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 353 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 15 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (4)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Seat Belts · 16V668000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air Bags · 13V233000
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.
Risk: In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 13V120000
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles manufactured October 18, 2011, through May 7, 2012. Due to an incorrectly manufactured transfer tube, the transfer of fuel from the secondary side to the primary side of the fuel tank may be interrupted, causing the engine to stall.
Risk: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank transfer tube free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 30, 2013. Owners were notified by Chrysler on July 19, 2013, that parts are now available. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N17.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 12V142000
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 JEEP PATRIOT AND COMPASS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 17, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2012. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY CONTAINING A DAMAGED ROLL-OVER VALVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT OR ROLL-OVER, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 25, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Jeep before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Jeep Patriot. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 30k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report fuel system problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 52k miles). Has this car shown any fuel system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2012 Jeep PATRIOT beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every Patriot model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 Jeep Patriot against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.