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2013 Jeep Patriot
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
120 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 24, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Airbags problems dominate (28% of complaints).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#68 of 481Among the 2013 models with a matured record, the 2013 Jeep Patriot ranks #68, scoring higher than 83% of them. See the 2013 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.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2013 Jeep Patriot SUV 4WD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 22%
2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, 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 2013 Jeep Patriot, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Airbags (33) · Seat belts (23) · Transmission & drivetrain (19) · Electrical system (11)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Airbags
28%33 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“Drivers side headrest deployed while I was driving.”
Engine
21%25 complaints · typically near 60k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“Cat converter below threshold bank 1 check engine light code read on obd2. Loss of power and acceleration, sluggish and unable to drive at highway speeds. Poor shiftin…”
Seat belts
19%23 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbe…”
Transmission & drivetrain
16%19 complaints
“Transmission overheat warning , Engine loses power and slows to around 30MPH Poses risk to myself and others on highway because can not accelerate to get out of traffi…”
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 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 120 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 7 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Jeep before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 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 airbags problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any airbags symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 60k miles). Has this car shown any engine 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 2013 Jeep PATRIOT beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every Patriot model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 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.