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What 455 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Patriot

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (455)Crash / fire / injury (33)Engine (222)Electrical system (97)Transmission & drivetrain (74)Speed control (47)Fuel system (42)Airbags (33)Brakes (25)Steering (24)Seats (20)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (19)

Newest first · 455 complaints · page 18 of 19

May 17, 2017Steering

WHEN YOU DRIVE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT THE JEEP PULLS TO THE RIGHT. SO IF YOU WANT TO GO STRAIGHT YOU MUST TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT. WAS TOLD ALL THE PATRIOTS DO THIS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. IF THAT'S THE CASE I WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED CAUSE I BELIEVE THAT'S A SCAM MAKING PEOPLE BELIEVE IT'S A GOOD VECHILE KNOWING THERE IS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10986266

May 2, 2017Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

ON 4/12/17 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 PM I WAS DRIVING MY JEEP OF 11,000 MILES ON IT. STILL A NEW CAR. IT STARTED RUNNING AS IF LOOSING POWER. I PULLED OFF OF HIGHWAY TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I PULLED HOOD RELEASE IT DID NOT OPEN. I LOOKED UNDER JEEP TO ATTEMPT TO GET HOOD OPEN AS AN POLICE OFFICER PULLED UP BESIDE CAR TO SEE IF I WAS OK. AS HE BEGAN TO ASK THIS AND I TURNED TO REPLY. CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT IT DID NOT HELP AND BY THE TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. FIRE RAGED SO HOT IT MELTED THE FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTS AND THE ENTIRE FRONT OF JEEP IS GONE. PERHAPS BY PULLING OVER IS THE ONLY REASON I AM STILL ALIVE. I HAVE A LOT OF DOCUMENTS AND PICTURES. IN THESE DOCUMENTS I HAVE WORD FOR WORD OF CHRYSLER JEEP REFUSING TO DO AN INVESTIGATION ON WHY THIS CAR BURNED..

NHTSA ODI 10983094

Apr 13, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V907000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER LOCATION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10972289

Mar 20, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V907000 (ENGINE) REGARDING THE CRANKSHAFT; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10967217

Feb 28, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY HIT TWO GROWN HORSE'S HIT IN FRONT OF 2016 JEEP PATRIOT TOTALED JEEP PATRIOT 2016. SURE THIS IS A RECALL THAT NEEDS REPORTED AND COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST MAKER OF AIRBAG MANUFACTURER ACCIDENT HAPPENED 11/10/2016 @ 6:15PM ON STERN'S RD OAKDALE,CA95361 I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BUT WHIPLASH MEDICAL TREATMENT DONE AND CONTINUE TREATMENT FOR THE REST OF LIFE WITH NO TREATMENT STOP DRIVING DOWN STERN'S RD AT NIGHT TWO HORSE'S RAN OUT IN FRONT OF JEEP KILLING ONE MAJOR INJURY TO OTHER! PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP AT [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 10957707

Jan 17, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

AIRBAG, AIRBAG SENSOR AIRBAG MODULE UPDATED 03/16/17*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10945845

Jan 14, 2017AirbagsBody & structureSeatsCrash1 injury

NOT SURE IF TAKATA INFLATORS ARE INVOLVED. ON THURSDAY 1/12/2017, I WAS STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS REAR-ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK WHICH DIDN'T STOP GOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. IT PUSHED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHICH WAS A CAR LENGTH AWAY. THE SEAT BROKE BACKWARDS, THE HEADREST BROKE OFF COMPLETELY AND I HIT THE REAR VEIW MIRROR BREAKING IT OFF. NONE OF THE 6 AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED,

NHTSA ODI 10945334

Dec 23, 2016Seat belts

THE SEAT BELT SENSOR DOES NOT PROPERLY DISENGAGE. WHEN I PULL THE SEAT BELT ABOUT 1 TO 2 INCHES THE SENSOR ON THE DASH GOES OFF. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP BUT ALSO WANTED TO REMOVE IT.

NHTSA ODI 10937234

Dec 20, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SWAYED AND JERKED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS PERFORMING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE STEERING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,700. ...UPDATED 05/19/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10936504

Dec 19, 2016AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP PATRIOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT VEERED AND CRASHED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, FRACTURED NOSE, AND A BUSTED LIP THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WOULD NEED SURGERY IN THE FUTURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE RATE OF DECELERATION NECESSARY TO ENGAGE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS NOT PRESENT DURING THE COLLISION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. UPDATED 04/05/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 10936172

Dec 18, 2016Steering

CONSTANTLY DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT ,AT DEALER SHIP 9 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM ,AND NOTHING IS DONE ,PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE CAR WAS NEW ,CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET CAR LEMON LAWED

NHTSA ODI 10936113

Nov 3, 2016SteeringSuspensionBrakes

SHAFT AXEL LEFT & RIGHT SIDE BRAKES SHOES & DRUMS TRANSMISSION MUFFLER RUBBING CHASIS

NHTSA ODI 10924170

Sep 19, 2016AirbagsSeat beltsBody & structureCrash

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT ON MARCH 14, 2016. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WHEN A SUV WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN TO THE STREET I WAS STOPPED WAITING TO MAKE MY RIGHT TURN. THE GENTLEMAN WAS SPEEDING AND TOOK A HARD RIGHT, HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AND HIT ME FULL IMPACT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT INFLATE, THE AIRBAG LIGHTS DID NOT TURN ON. AT THE IMPACT THAT I WAS HIT THEY SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF AND NO ONE KNOWS OR COULD EXPLAIN WHY THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY. WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND I WENT TO PICK UP, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHTS WERE ON AND HAD TO BE RESET AND THE SEATBELT WAS NOT PROPERLY WORKING (THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED)

NHTSA ODI 10907629

Sep 19, 2016Engine

THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IT WOULD HAVE A HARD START AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND LOOSE POWER.

NHTSA ODI 10907637

Sep 16, 2016Electrical systemBrakesFire

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AROUND 2:30 PM WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I PULLED OFF TO A SAFE SPOT AND BY THIS TIME II COULD SEE THE FIRE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT OF MY JEEP. THREE FIRE INSPECTORS LOOKED AT IT AND ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. HOWEVER, A JEEP MECHANIC ALSO LOOKED AT IT AND BELIEVES THE FIRE STARTED BEHIND THE BATTERY. THE JEEP IS TOTALED. STILL WAITING ON REPORTS FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. CYNTHIA I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE. WE DID HIRE SOME PEOPLE WHO WENT OUT AND ALSO WERE NOT ABLE TO FULLY DETERMINE THE FIRE. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING IN CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER. I WILL KEEP TRYING AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT THEY TELL ME. DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY TELL ME WE MIGHT MOVE FORWARD WITH MORE INVESTIGATION. I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED. FROM PROGRESSIVE CLAIM #161737586 AGENT AMY ETTA PH. 503-495-4507

NHTSA ODI 10907300

Aug 25, 2016Electrical systemTires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. ALSO, THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,600.

NHTSA ODI 10898641

Aug 14, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY 5 LANE MAIN ROAD THROUGH THE CENTER OF TOWN AND DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PREPARING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. THE CLUTCH POPPED LOOSE AND WAS DISABLED. IT NO LONGER HAD ANY FORCE AGAINST IT BUT COULD BE FREELY MOVED THROUGHOUT ITS RANGE OF MOTION WITH NO ENGAGEMENT OR DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH LEFT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR AS I WAS TRYING TO STOP. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND LEFT IT DISABLED IN THE CENTER LANE OF A VERY BUSY 5 LANE ROAD APPROXIMATELY 40FT FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FITTING IN THE WALL FORWARD OF THE DRIVER PEDALS THROUGH WHICH THE CLUTCH ROD PASSES. THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER INSTALLATION AS THE CAR HAD 20 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 150 MILES. THE FITTING MUST BE SEATED TO ALLOW THE CLUTCH ROD TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED. A MISALIGNMENT OF THE HOLE IN THE WALL AND THE CLUTCH ROD CAUSED UPWARD PRESSURE ON THE FITTING WHICH WAS ENOUGH TO HOLD IT IN PLACE TEMPORARILY BUT EVENTUALLY CAME LOOSE. THE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FITTING IS TO PROTRUDE FULLY THROUGH THE WALL AND THEN BE CLOCKED 45DEG SO THE TABS SEAT, KEEPING THE FITTING IN PLACE. A POLICE OFFICER WAS ABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE TRAFFIC OBSTACLE WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT. THE LOSS OF THE CLUTCH ON A MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE AT ANY GIVEN TIME CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS OR MOVE TO OR FROM NEUTRAL CAN BE A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SIMPLE RECALL TO INSPECT THE INSTALLATION FOR A LIKELY LIMITED LOT OF VEHICLES, HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER, FIA LLC, DISAGREED.

NHTSA ODI 10895741

Jul 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

DRIVE FOR 6 HOURS AND 400 MILES AT 65 MPH ON HIGWAY, THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT COMES ON SUDDENLY AND THE VEHICLE LOSE SPEED RAPIDLY AND STOPS ON HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNMOVABLE FORWARD AND STRANDS PASSENGERS DANGEROUSLY STUCK IN THE TRAFFIC LANE.

NHTSA ODI 10889215

Jul 21, 2016Electrical systemBody & structure

WENT THROUGH CAR WASH, WATER CAME POURING IN THROUGH DOME LIGHT, RAINING ON RADIO. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THE DRAIN LINES ARE TOO SMALL AND OFTEN NEED TO BE UNCLOGGED. THEY OFFER NO EXPLANATION OF THE POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL HAZARD OR THE ROTTING EFFECTS OF WATER LEFT UNSEEN IN THE ROOF LININGS. I GOOGLED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THE HISTORY OF THIS POOR DESIGN GOES BACK TO 2008. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED AND CAN ONLY UNCLOG/BLOW OUT THE DRAIN TUBES DURING MY ROUTINE OIL CHANGES...THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS A POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY HAZARD. I AM LEASING THE VEHICLE BUT MAY NEED TO SWITCH OUT. THIS IS AN ACKNOWLEDGED MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT THEY ARE APPARENTLY IGNORING TO THE CONSUMERS RISK OF ELECTRICAL FIRE, AND OR ROTTING ACCESSORIES CAUSING POTENTIAL SEVERE DEVALUATION IN TRADE IN / SALE POTENTIAL AS WELL AS ACTUAL CASH VALUE IN INSURANCE APPRAISALS.

NHTSA ODI 10887454

Jun 10, 2016Electrical systemSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I BOUGHT MY 2016 JEEP PATRIOT NEW. IT HAS 20,000 MILES. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON. CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAKE POPPING NOISE WHEN ON. WHEN AT A STOP THE ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING SOUND. WHEN ACCELERATION IT MAKES A WEIRD NOISE AND TAKES FOREVER TO GET IT TO THE SPEED OF 60MPH. I CAN'T GET MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR UNTIL JUNE 14, 2016. EVERYTHING THAT WENT WRONG HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME EXCEPT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I SMELL A LEMON IN THE BUNCH HERE!!!

NHTSA ODI 10873690

May 28, 2016Body & structure

ROOF LEAKING THROUGH REAR CARGO LIGHT, DEALER FAILED TO REPAIR PROPERLY AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS.

NHTSA ODI 10871305

May 27, 2016Electrical system

JUST GOT THE JEEP BUT DID NOT TAKE HOME FOR THREE DAYS AFTER THE SALE.THE WIRE HARNESS WAS BAD ON THE JEEP? SO FAR NO PROBLEMS SO FAR AFTER WE GOT IT HOME! ITS THE 75 ANNIVERSARY EDITION REAL NICE.LOVE IT. HAVE OWN 2 PATRITOTS BEFORE THIS ONE. AND NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM.

NHTSA ODI 10871282

May 16, 2016BrakesEngine

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 AND A HALF WEEKS AGO AND IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THEY STATED IT WAS A SENSOR FOR THE BREAKS. SECOND, TIME THEY STATED, FOR THE SAME THING A BRAKE SENSOR. THIRD, TIME THEY SAID THE SENSOR WAS BAD. NOW FOR THE FOURTH TIME THEY ARE SAYING IT'S A MODULE. NO, IT'S TIME FOR A NEW TRUCK A 2016 JEEP SHOULD NOT HAVE THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S TIME TO BE IN THE PROCESS TO FILE THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK UP THEIR FOUR TIMES MAYBE EVEN MORE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 10865110

Apr 27, 2016AirbagsCrashFire2 injuries

MY WIFE AND I WERE HIT HEAD ON BY A DRUNK DRIVER, WE WERE BOTH RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS WHEN WE AWOKE THE AIR BAGS WERE ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI 10861778

Apr 26, 2016

PURCHASED THIS JEEP IN MARCH. IT IS NOW JUST A LITTLE OVER A MONTH LATER AND ALREADY THIS JEEP HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR WATER LEAKING INTO THE REAR DOME LIGHT, FILLING THE LIGHT FIXTURE WITH WATER, AND WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN THE WATER WILL LEAK OUT OF THE DOME LIGHT AND ONTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ALL OVER THE CARPETED AREA WHERE ITEMS ARE STORED. BOTH TIMES I HAVE NOTICED THE WATER IT HAS BEEN IN THE MORNING AFTER IT HAS RAINED AT NIGHT AND I AM OPENING THE HATCH TO PUT MY BELONGINGS INSIDE. TWICE ALREADY IN THE SHOP FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND I MY FIRST CAR PAYMENT ISN'T EVEN DUE!

NHTSA ODI 10861532

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Working with the data? Download all 455 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Jeep Patriot verdict →