Home · 2016 Jeep Patriot · Complaints

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 7 of 19

Mar 9, 2022Electrical systemEngine

Crankshaft position sensor. Engine stalled in traffic. Had to stop, place car in park, turn engine off and then back on. Independent mechanic has confirmed issue. Error code P0335. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacture or others. Engine has stalled previously with NO WARNING SIGNS. Symptoms have been present since purchase.

NHTSA ODI 11455819

Feb 25, 2022Speed controlEngine

While driving my Patriot, as I turned into the gas station the check engine light, traction control light and ETC (red lightning bolt) all popped on at the same time. My vehicle instantly went into limp mode. When In park, stayed a consistent 1,500 RPM’s. All of this happened without warning as the car drove and ran like normal prior. Thankfully I was only .5 miles from home and was able to get it home. Code pulled: P2173 car has always been maintained on time since date of purchase.

NHTSA ODI 11453976

Feb 22, 2022Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

Vehicle unable to reach speed above 30mph. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) symbol shows up in error on dashboard. Unable to accelerate beyond 30mph. Vehicle drives with unstable and jerky motions. Have had this issue before and dealership mechanic reset computer, downloaded a system update to solve issue. This occurred about 2019. Issue has represented itself.

NHTSA ODI 11453508

Jan 16, 2022Electrical systemEngineFuel system

While slowly accelerating from a stop, my 2016 Jeep Patriot engine stalled in the middle of a busy intersection. I lost power steering and & brakes and was luckily able to muscle the car over to the side of road out of traffic. I waited several minutes and restarted the engine which then operated normally afterward. This engine stalling has occurred repeatedly & more frequently (6+ times in last 10 days) while accelerating from a stop which is very dangerous in cross-traffiic intersections and on freeways. Additionally now, the engine rpm’s intermittently surge notably up and down +/- 2,000 rpm while driving with steady un-changing pressure on gas pedal. I have seen no engine failure indicators. I have had this vehicle serviced at two different independent repair shops that couldn’t re-create the problem & guessed it was the throttle body and then cleaned/serviced it. The problem persists more frequently, and is the exact problem listed in the S89 ChryslerJeep recall. My vin is not referenced in the recall notice-even though it is from the same Jeep manufacture period. This recall should definitely apply to my vehicle. I drive 40 freeway miles daily to work and am concerned for my safety and others. My vehicle is available for inspection if needed and I am bringing it tomorrow to a Jeep dealer in hopes of having it repaired under the recall. As the original new owner, I strongly feel that Chrysler Jeep needs to apply this recall to my vehicle and support their owner’s safety.

NHTSA ODI 11447671

Dec 29, 2021Engine

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11445385

Dec 29, 2021EngineFuel system

Yes I got a oil change now the warning light comes on change oil and I talk to others that drive a vehicle like mine and they have the same issue it’s time for a recalled on it before it caused more problems thanks

NHTSA ODI 11445474

Dec 16, 2021Engine

While driving the car, the motor just stops running unexpectedly, with no warning at all. While driving on the highway it stopped running and had to try to control the car without the power steering because the car had stopped and muscled the car as it coasted to the side of the road, while getting the car to the berm. A semi truck was behind us and came very close to hitting us. I had to put the car in park, turn the key to off position and then restart it to resume driving. This a road hazard and accident waiting to happen. This has happened about a dozen of times within the past month and seems to be doing it more often. Also, when driving, with my foot on the gas pedal, it seems as if someone hits the brake for a second and jerks the car and resumes as if nothing has happened. After we got it the car start I called the dealership and told them what had happened, we took it in the same day, and picked it up the next day. We were told that they could not replicate what we had reported. They could not find anything wrong with the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11444079

Dec 4, 2021Seats

Headrest on passenger side of car. We drove it and parked it in the garage. We got up the next morning and the headrest had deployed. Nobody was in the vehicle. If someone had been in the passenger seat they would have been injured. We took it to a car repair site, when they looked at it they said they don't know how that could have happened as we were not in an accident. We sent an email to Jeep and are waiting for a response. We had no warnings of anything being wrong and we have not any recall bulletins or service bulletins.

NHTSA ODI 11442661

Nov 22, 2021AirbagsCrash1 injury

I was hit on the front end of the car by another car going about 30 mph. It totaled the car but the airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI 11441243

Nov 16, 2021Seats

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, her son touched the headrest and it exploded without warning. There were no reported injuries. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The contact called Mopar who stated the vehicle was covered, however, canceled the order. The contact called the local dealer where a headrest was ordered but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11440705

Nov 15, 2021Engine

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11440468

Nov 14, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

While turning a corner my car turned off. Happened on several occasions. Has happened on highway, in town and in parking lot. At low speeds and accelerating- car stalls & turns off. VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ODI 11440407

Nov 8, 2021Electrical systemBrakesEngine

My car hesitates and will jolt when trying to accelerate as well as stall when I am driving 50+ mph sometimes and completely shut off causing me to have to put it in park, turn it off and turn it back on again while I am in the middle of driving which increases the risk of an accident and I feel extremely unsafe

NHTSA ODI 11439815

Nov 5, 2021Electrical system

VEHICLE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND SHUTS OFF WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE DRIVING AT NORMAL CITY SPEEDS OF 40 TO 45 MPH AND SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF COMPLETELY, ENGINE STALLS. STILL HAVE ELECTRICAL POWER. TURN KEY OFF AND WAIT 20 MINUTES, VEHICLE DRIVES NORMAL. STALL IS RANDOM AND AFTER A 20 MINUTE KEY OFF ENGINE OFF STARTS AND DRIVES FINE. NO MIL OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ACTIVE OR STORED DTC AFTER STALL LOSE ALL POWER BRAKES AND STEERING DURING STALL SUSPECT CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND BOTH CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS CONNECTORS

NHTSA ODI 11439549

Nov 2, 2021Electrical systemEngine

Recently, when trying to start vehicle, all electrical power shut off, open the hood and tap the fuse box, all power comes back on, repeat multiple times until vehicle starts. When driving home down the interstate at night, all power cuts off, engine stops at 70 mph no brakes, no power steering, no brake lights, no headlights and no hazard lights, almost got ran over top of by a semi that couldnt see me stranded in the highway. Finally got it restarted after shaking and tapping fuse box, made it down the road further and all dash lights popped on, dinged and lost the speedometer for a few seconds. Had close encounters like this multiple times lately. Had the battery and alternator checked, all good. Dealership said its not under recall so i would have to pay out of pocket almost 1000 dollars to "fix" it but couldnt guarantee the new fuse box would fix the problem. I like the vehicle but I dont wanna die in it when a semi cant get out of the way when it dies next time.

NHTSA ODI 11439130

Oct 8, 2021Engine

It had a recall on it and I lost the card so I can get my car repaired due to the recall. My engine light is on. It has been on since 2018. I have noticed lately when I have the air conditioner running and when I have to stop or slow down as soon as I can take off my car is jumping all over the place and then it starts to act like it is going to cut off. This is very dangerous, especially when I am driving down the I-85. Please help me to get this recall done on my 2016 Jeep Patriot [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11435978

Sep 27, 2021Fuel system

On 9/22/21, out 2016 Jeep Patriot broke down on Interstate 495 in Massachusetts, during rush-hour. While driving the vehicle, the engine shut down at highway speed, forcing us off of the road. A RED indicator light on the dashboard identified the problem as a bad "Throttle Body". We had the car towed to the dealer where we bought the vehicle, and they confirmed that is was a bad Throttle Body. Repair cost was $841.00. There was a recall for this part, but the recall only covered vehicles built between May and July 2016. Having an indicator light on the dashboard for this single part...is very telling. It shows that Jeep has a lot of problems with this part. But since our vehicle was built prior to this small recall window, and has more miles on than the standard warranty would cover, Jeep will not reimburse us for the repair.

NHTSA ODI 11434564

Sep 22, 2021Electrical systemEngine

The contact's son owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. Despite being able to restart the vehicle, the contact stated that the failure would return. Recently, the contact stated that after she experienced the failure and restarted the vehicle, the vehicle began to vibrate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics who were all unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact has had several repairs performed on the vehicle; however, each repair failed, and the failure persisted. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11433962

Sep 14, 2021SuspensionWheels

FAULTY CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINTS ( ALL IN ONE PART TOGETHER FOR BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM) first time I took it in was jan 2021 the two months later now this is the 3RD time now the car dealership is stating the faulty part ( control arm/ ball join) mechanic stated both times that that parts were faulty. Causing damage to tires that are not safe and I have to pay out of pocket for new tires when the parts are faulty which the parts were covered under my warranty but tire were not... so I believe since the parts that are faulty that caused damaged I should not be liable for buying the new tires did to faulty parts causing the damage.

NHTSA ODI 11432890

Aug 26, 2021Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

I am a service contract administrator. I recently received a claim where the contract holders vehicle would stall. The shop stated a recall had been performed by Auto Nation Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Littleton , CO. ( 7980 W Tufts Ave , Littleton , CO 80123 ) ( 303-578-6099 ) I called over , gave them the VIN , and asked for documentation on the repair. The shop said they would send it over. In the meantime I had the shop the vehicle was currently at send me pictures of the wiring. The repair was poorly done , and Auto Nation is refusing to rectify their poor workmanship. The service advisor in questions name is Scott. He would not return phone calls , and never sent over the requested documentation. My company will take care of the customers repairs. Attached are the pictures of the poor repair. My purpose here is to report poor workmanship , and let you know this dealership is not repairing vehicles to either manufacturer , or federal standards.

NHTSA ODI 11430658

Aug 24, 2021EngineFuel system

A recall has been issued on 2016 Jeep Patriots that are VIN specific (S89). However even though our vehicle was included in the manufacturing dates, it was not included on the recall. I had to pay out of pocket to replace the camshaft/crankshaft sensor. The vehicle was constantly stalling out on my daughter while driving the vehicle which shut off the power steering and brakes. This was a very dangerous situation and I paid to get it repaired. I think that the recall should include my vehicle and I should get reimbursed for my payment.

NHTSA ODI 11430265

Aug 24, 2021EngineFuel system

A recall has been issued on 2016 Jeep Patriots that are VIN specific (recall S89). However even though our vehicle was included in the manufacturing dates portion of the recall, it was not included in the VIN specific portion. The vehicle is doing the exact things that are included in the recall - it constantly stalls while driving on the interstate or in town. Shutting down the engine totally and then making it where the power steering and brakes do not function and is an extreme dangerous situation for a female driver to try and control and restart the vehicle without getting in an accident. I feel that my vehicle should be included in this recall and that Jeep should repair my vehicle free of charge. I would hate for someone to get injured for not including this vehicle in a recall that is only VIN specific.

NHTSA ODI 11430268

Aug 10, 2021Engine

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while stationary at a traffic light attempting to make a left turn, while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that she was unaware if there was a warning light illuminated. The contact stated she parked in the middle of the street before restarting the vehicle. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM levels raised up however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated she was able to park on the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The contact stated she drove to her residence while experiencing the failure. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure and the throttle body warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the throttle body and wiring harness to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11428504

Aug 9, 2021Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The contact stated there was an unknown warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the Vin was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ODI 11428328

Jul 13, 2021Airbags

The airbag light came on about 35 times, and I went to the dealer, they told me to come back later because the light wasn't illuminated, then I was told a sensor was broken, and they couldn't fix it, so that meant I would have zero airbags that worked.

NHTSA ODI 11424575

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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 →