What 353 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Patriot

Certified dealership service department omitted structural safety complaints from official service invoices, left vital diagnostic findings and performance metrics off paperwork tracking paths, cleared a compromised front suspension layout as safe, and actively instructed a vehicle operator to execute a driving pattern that induces sudden power loss on public roadway infrastructure. TIMELINE SUMMARY OF DEALERSHIP SERVICE (see uploaded PDF for details): March 26, 2026: Diagnostic service and fees for front right tire and new spark plugs. Left bay with immediate new serious issue. March 30, 2026: Follow up on new issue. No alerts. Given clearance. Zero charge invoice. May 19, 2026: Follow up AGAIN on same issue. Scheduled eventually after multiple tries to reach Supervisor. RPM alert reading. Technician gave negligent advice causing further damage to my vehicle and putting me in danger. The technician noted an unprecedented 3,000 to 4,000 RPM calculation anomaly on his computer screen yet dismissed the hazard by blaming my driving habits as "too gentle." He instructed me to find a ramp or an open stretch of road to "rev up" the acceleration and seek out cleaner fuel brands. Incomplete records. Zero charge invoice. I followed the advice and caused further damage and put myself and others at risk on the roads. June 22, 2026: Second opinion. Failing transmission and front arm controls damage. Reputable business reported: "Found front control arm bushings damaged and inop. Transmission fluid sample is dark and has a clutch odor. Test drove monitoring misfire and transmission: misfire 0. Trans slip during test drive even shows abnormal transmission slip. Recommend replacement of transmission and torque converter assembly." June 26, 2026: called management for full accountability. I request full repairs immediately. This situation created serious interruptions to my schedule and a threat to my personal safety. July 14, 2026: Certified letters to dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11750388

I was crossing an intersection with a green light the opposing vehicle ran the northbound red light therefore slammed into my driver rear side going at an unknown speed. The force of the impact caused my glasses to fly off my face landing on the passenger floorboard. No airbags deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11717985

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that on several occasions, while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the gas pump shut off and only worked manually. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, and it was determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced due to a faulty fuel tank rollover valve. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

NHTSA ODI 11709951

Car dies as I’m driving wiring issue

NHTSA ODI 11706245

215/55/r18 Well, JD bar ride in South Charleston, West Virginia off a lot in a car without an inspection sticker too bad front tires bad brakes, bad rotors, bad harness, bad ignition had to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11664719

Unknown

NHTSA ODI 11663852

roll over valve in gas tank on a 2012 Jeep Patriot.

NHTSA ODI 11648689

the rollover valve in the gas tank won't allow me to put fuel in the gas tank.

NHTSA ODI 11640458

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot 4x4. The contact stated that on five occasions in two years when adjusting all four front air vents manually, a metallic paint/coating sliced her finger causing a paper-cut injury. Medical attention was not sought. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11637784

When fueling the jeep the nozzle keeps popping off. I had a diagnostics test And was told that there is something in the gas tank that blocks it in case of a rollover. Is this a recall?

NHTSA ODI 11636323

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 vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission, requiring that the transmission be replaced. The contact was informed that the on-board diagnostic system was not functioning as intended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11595727

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle had a flat tire. The contact stated upon changing the flat tire, the contact noticed that the rear subframe where the rear axle was connected to was rusted and the axle had started to detach from the vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was informed there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and instructed the contact to reach out to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11595081

Unknown: Something is wrong with the gas tank. When refueling, it's nearly impossible to activate the latch on the pump handle without the pump immediately stopping. To refuel, I have to gently squeeze the trigger to enable a very slow flow of fuel. To fill the tank, while gently activating the trigger, takes approximately 15-20 minutes. In the past, you could depress the trigger and activate the locking catch and fill up in 3-4 minutes depending on the pressure of the gas station system. I don't know if this issue points to a safety problem, however, clearly it's a defect. I consulted the Jeep dealership and they recommended to not fully insert the nozzle into the filler neck of the tank. It was a bizarre recommendation because it was never an issue in the past. Of course I tried their recommendation an as expected it made no difference. At a minimum, it's annoying as hell trying to fill up in Chicago while holding a fuel pump handle when it's 20°F with a wind chill well below that! I thought that perhaps it was my local gas station. On a trip from Chicago to I had to fill up twice each way at different stations and the issue persists.

NHTSA ODI 11562695

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the lights inside the vehicle were flickering and the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and then stalled. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled an abnormal odor, and the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Additionally, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the exhaust was clogged. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. Additionally, the contact became aware of a coolant leak. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound and shuddered. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11530413

My fuel tank problem should be included in the Safety Recall M11/NHTSA 12V-142 Fuel Tank Roll-Over value..I have taken my car to several Jeep dealers and have been informed the problem with this tank falls in the recall…I have been dealing with this problem for years….I recently found out that the problem falls in the recall above…I took my car to the Jeep dealer, Pelegríno in Woodbury,NJ on 5/19/21 for the problem..They informed me tank would have to be removed to be fixed…they never informed me that there was a recall…so I did not get it fixed at the time. I have been dealing with this problem since 2018

NHTSA ODI 11518665

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; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled again. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was undrivable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11514804

The vehicle stalls while driving with no warning. This has happened 5 times in the last week.

NHTSA ODI 11513918

When filling the tank with gas and then driving the vehicle, the vehicle either stalls, bucks really bad, or hesitates when accelerating. There is a heavy smell of gas. This unsafe condition has been traced to a faulty fuel tank valve that requires the entire fuel tank to be replaced ($1,000- $1,800). Others have experienced fuel being spewed out suddenly when refueling very slowly due to this same faulty valve. Any fuel system issue puts the vehicle at risk of fire, which is risks my life and my family's life.

NHTSA ODI 11509796

Fuel tank receiver separated from the fuel door holder

NHTSA ODI 11509050

I have a problem fueling my 2012 Jeep Patriot. I have to dribble the gas into neck to prevent gas from blowing out of neck. My mechanic replaced neck. Still have the same problem. I have read of a recall due to valve inside tank sticking which could cause fuel to pour out if a rollover occurs but I'm hearing from mechanic that the problem with valve sticking is why I'm having a problem refueling. If both issues are due to the same valve problem, shouldn't the recall cover my jeep? I have had my jeep to my mechanic 3 times now for this issue in the past month. I have also had my jeep stall if I accelerate quickly.

NHTSA ODI 11507584

I cannot put gas in my car, continuously shuts off and spits fuel back out like its full. It takes about 20 minutes to get enough gas in it to feel like I can drive a little distance without worrying I will run out since It always acts as if its full. It also seems as if it wants to stall out at times and I just give it more gas. I have had this car for a few months now and Im scared its going to stall and cause an accident. Having a difficult time with getting someone to work on it, codes will not diagnose. After reading I saw this had recalls in the past. Should this car have been recalled?

NHTSA ODI 11501299

Intake manifold flow valve was replaced and so was the manifold. One month later my vehicle threw an engine light for code p2015 for the same issue. I then replace the valve again three days after thinking it was a faulty part and almost a week last same code with the engine light. It give very bad idling and with jump the rpm to almost 4k before the vehicle even moves. Needless to say pulling out in traffic would be impossible unless I was to be hit by multiple vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11497786

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, fuel was pouring from the fuel tank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V142000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11493508

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the undercarriage was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 91,847.

NHTSA ODI 11484272

The catalytic converter failed. It had to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11476712