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2016 Jeep Patriot
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
455 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 24, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (49% of complaints, typically reported near 50k miles).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#313 of 563Among the 2016 models with a matured record, the 2016 Jeep Patriot ranks #313, scoring higher than 43% of them. See the 2016 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 · 2016 Jeep Patriot SUV 2WD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 22%
4 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 2016 Jeep Patriot, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Speed control (47) · Fuel system (42) · Airbags (33)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
49%222 complaints · typically near 50k mi · 22 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle violently jerked while the transmission was changing g…”
Electrical system
21%97 complaints · typically near 29k mi · 12 in the last 2 years
“Driveshaft sensor failure Vehicle stalling while driving dropping to zero rpm vehicle dying completely to zero start at low rpm’s”
Transmission & drivetrain
16%74 complaints · typically near 60k mi · 7 in the last 2 years
“Crankshaft positioning sensor caused car to randomly stall out multiple times.”
Speed control
10%47 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“There is some sort of electrical issue. Things keep going in and out: internal lights, cruise control, turn signals in front and back go out 6-9 times a year, ABS ligh…”
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 3 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 455 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 33 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 16V907000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.
Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.
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 2016 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 50k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 29k miles). Has this car shown any electrical 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
Check the VIN for open recalls
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 2016 Jeep PATRIOT beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every Patriot model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 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.