RoadVitals

2008 Jeep Patriot FWD Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
35
Latest Apr 1, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
39%
of 90 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Jeep Patriot FWD submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 35 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

The 25 most recent of 35, in the owner's own words

Body & structureSuspension
Filed Apr 1, 2019

I PURCHASED MY 2008 JEEP PATRIOT AND FOUND OUT IT HAS A ROTTED CROSSMEMBER SUBFRAME. UPON RESEARCH I FOUND OUT JEEP KNEW IT HAD THIS ISSUE IN HIGH SALT AREAS AND WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT. I TRIED TO GET IT FIXED AT HARTLEY'S DEALERSHIP IN NEWPORT MAINE AND THEY SAID THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER HONORING THE REPAIR, DEPITE THE INCREDIBLE SAFETY ISSUE THIS CAUSES. THE VEHICLE CAN LITERALLY BREAK IN HALF AND KILL SOMEONE YET THEY HAVEN'T DONE A FULL RECALL? THEY DID AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR IT THAT HAS EXPIRED BEFORE I WAS INFORMED ABOUT IT. HOW ARE THEY NOT BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY ISSUES THEY ARE HAVING IN SO MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES? I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID
11193147
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 30, 2018

FRONT END CROSS MEMBER COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND AXLE NUTS AND LUG NUTS FROZEN IN PLACE. M JUST TOTAL RUST IN FRONT END RESULTING IN FRAILER TO BE DERIVABLE. I WAS ON THE ROAD AND THE FRONT END WOBBLED AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME

NHTSA ID
11090967
Incident
Apr 12, 2018
Mileage
157,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 22, 2016

ON JULY 13, 2016, I TOOK MY JEEP IN TO OUR LOCAL DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WHEN PICKING UP MY JEEP, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE WRITER THAT THEY DISCOVERED THE K FRAME (CROSSOVER IN FRONT OF VEHICLE) WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND WOULD VERY SOON NEED TO BE REPLACED. IF IT WAS NOT REPLACED, IT WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD! I AM AWARE THAT CHRYSLER EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE 2007 JEEP PATRIOT TO 10 YEARS FOR THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THE 2007 AND 2008 MODELS USE THE SAME FRAME AND DESIGN. THEY DID NOT EXTEND THE COVERAGE FOR THE 2008 MODEL. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 105,000 MILES ON MY JEEP.

NHTSA ID
10887849
Incident
Jul 13, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jun 27, 2016

I'VE BEEN INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT MY SUBFRAME ON THE GROUND END IS ROTTED OUT AND WILL PROBABLY CRACK IN HALF IN LESS THAT S YEAR. I KEEP REPLACING BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SO WEAK IT IS STARTING TO BOW AND CAUSE EVERYTHING TO BECOME OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 75000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER OFF ROAD. CHRYSLER CORP TOLD ME ITS PROBABLY TIME TO BUY S NEW CAR. THIS CAR IS S MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND MY SMALL CHILDREN. HOPEFULLY NO ONE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE THEY SEE A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10877007
Incident
Jun 4, 2016
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemSteering+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2014

MY JEEP PATRIOT CUTS OFF AND TO THIS DATE, I HAVEN'T RECEIVED AN ANSWER ON THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I PURCHASED A NEW ALTERNATOR AND A BATTERY AND THAT DID NOT SOLVE THAT ISSUE. ON NOVEMBER 29, 2013, I DROVE THE CAR FROM STAMFORD, CT TO BRIDGEPORT, CT. I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR STARTED MAKING A NOISE AS IF SOMETHING WAS CLOGGED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE OVER A SPEED OVER 15 MPH. THE VERY NEXT DAY, I HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND THERE IS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT ONLY A JEEP DEALER WOULD BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 14, 2014 AND THE CAR DID THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THE NOISE (CLOGGED) AND THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK. AT THE TIME, I WAS IN NEW ROCHELLE, NY AND I DROVE STRAIGHT TO ADVANCE AUTO LOCATED ON MAIN STREET. THE TECHNICIAN ASSISTED ME AND HOOKED THE CAR UP TO THE SCANNER AND IT GAVE ME A CODE OF P2017. I PURCHASED SOME FUEL INJECTION CLEANER TO SEE IF THAT COULD HELP ME OUT. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 4-5 MILES AND THE CAR DIED. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO SEE IF I CAN GET THE CAR TOWED TO STAMFORD, CT. I WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN AND MECHANIC THAT JEEP PATRIOT HAVE A RECALL ON THE FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. I'VE ALSO HAD SUSPENSION ISSUES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT BEGAN IN JULY OF 2013. THE CAR HAS POOR STEERING AND I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY GET WHEEL ALIGNMENTS AND CHANGE THE FRONT TIRES. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE JEEP PATRIOT HAVE A TON OF SAFETY RECALLS ON THE 2008 MODEL. I HAVE A SCHEDULED TOW TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED AT THE JEEP DEALER. I WOULD LIKE THE RECALL ISSUE TO BE HONORED. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION ON ANY RECALLS BY THE MANUFACTURE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. I DO WANT TO INCUR ANY INJURIES OR FATALITIES. I AM PAYING A CAR NOTE ON THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL AS I'VE BEEN ROBBED! *TR

NHTSA ID
10559992
Incident
Nov 30, 2013
Mileage
119,200 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 2, 2013

PASSENGER BALL JOINT / LOWER CONTROL ARM SHOT AT 28,500. JEEP WON'T TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ID
10546528
Incident
Oct 2, 2013
Mileage
28,500 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 27, 2013

I ONLY HAVE 46,000 MILES ON MY 2008 JEEP PATRIOT AND I ALREADY NEED BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND THE LEFT AND RIGHT TIE RODS. I HAVE NEVER DONE ANY TYPE OF OFF-ROADING IN THIS VEHICLE, IT'S ONLY BEEN DRIVEN ON THE STREET. I'M AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS, IT'S UNACCEPTABLE TO MAKE SOMETHING SO CHEAP ON A VEHICLE! *TR

NHTSA ID
10504758
Incident
Feb 26, 2013
Mileage
46,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 24, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH BOTTOM BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID
10494592
Incident
Jan 17, 2013
Mileage
48,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 21, 2013

WIFE DRIVES A 2008 JEEP PATRIOT THAT HAS 38,955 MILES ON IT AND WHEN TAKEN IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND VEHICLE INSPECTION WAS TOLD THAT THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. COST WOULD BE CLOSE TO $400.00 TO REPLACE THAT COMPONENT. BEING FRUGAL AND WANTING A SECOND OPINION WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP, REPUTABLE AND VERY GOOD, TO HAVE A LOOK SEE. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS WORN OUT AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AND WAS CAUSING THE ALIGNMENT OF THE CAR TO BE OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR TOW LINK WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND MISSING WHICH CAUSED THAT WHEEL TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND WAS PROVIDING A SIGNIFICANTLY BAD WEAR SITUATION FOR THE TIRES. SEEMS TO US THAT AFTER ONLY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 40,00 MILES THAT THESE COMPONENTS SHOULD STILL BE IN WORKING CONDITION. AFTER PAYING A LITTLE OVER $300.00 FOR THESE PARTS TO BE REPLACED, I AM WRITING THIS WANTING TO KNOW HOW TO RECOUP THIS MONEY. COMPONENTS THAT CONTROL THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION OF A VEHICLE ARE VITAL TO SAFE DRIVING AND IF THEY FAIL CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES MAY ENSUE. CHRYSLER JEEP SHOULD FEEL RESPONSIBLE AND NOT WAIT ON A CATASTROPHE TO OCCUR BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING TO CURB AND REDUCE THIS DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493624
Incident
Jan 16, 2013
Mileage
38,955 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Dec 2, 2012

I BOUGHT MY JEEP IN SEPT OF 2010, TOOK IT FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN DEC,2010. WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM, I WAS TOLD THE PATRIOTS WERE HAVING ALOT OF ISSUES WITH THAT PART COMING OUT LOOSE STRAIGHT OUT OF THE FACTORY. IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN I DRIVE IT. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE A/C ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON FOR MANIFOLD PROBLEM ,TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ALL WITHIN THE TWO YEARS THAT I'VE OWNED IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10486766
Incident
Dec 10, 2010
Mileage
88,500 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 15, 2012

AT 62K MILES I HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY COSTING ME $300 AND NO HELP FROM CHRYSLER OR MY DEALERSHIP. NOW AT 93K MILES AND A YEAR AND HALF LATER, I NEED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE FOR THEM BOTH REPLACED IS $715. THAT'S OVER $1000 FOR SOMETHING THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT AND DOES NOTHING TO ASSIST THEIR CUSTOMERS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, EVEN ORDERED FROM THE FACTORY, USING THE DISCOUNT MY COMPANY HAS WITH THEM, WE GET THE PREFERRED PRICE BEING A SUPPLIER FOR THEIR BEARINGS AND THIS IS THE QUALITY I GET? WHY EVEN PUT THE BEST BEARINGS IN THE WORLD ON THE JEEP IF YOU USE GARBAGE TO SUPPORT THE WHEEL? *TR

NHTSA ID
10484784
Incident
Nov 15, 2012
Mileage
93,500 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 18, 2012

AT 58,200 MILES, ALL HIGHWAY/CITY DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE VEHICLE WENT BAD. AFTER CONSULTING WITH MULTIPLE OWNERS OF THE PATRIOT, IT SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10471392
Incident
Aug 4, 2012
Mileage
58,200 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 26, 2012

SEVERE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AT ELEVATED SPEED. FRONT BALL JOINTS SHOT AND CANNOT BE SERVICED DUE TO DESIGN. REPLACED FRONT LEFT AND FRONT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, PLUS 2 TIRES WITH ONLY 11K MILES. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE SUDDEN/RAPID DETERIORATION AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE SINCE ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED AT 50K MILES WITH ZERO EVIDENCE OF ABNORMAL WEAR AND NO STEERING ISSUES. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED OR DRIVEN OFF-ROAD. NUMEROUS JEEP FORUMS AND BLOGS WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2008 JEEP PATRIOT FRONT SUSPENSION. LOCAL JEEP DEALER SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE OR REPLACED ANY LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. HAD WORK DONE AT INDEPENDENT GARAGE SINCE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER WAS APPARENTLY NOT TELLING THE TRUTH OR WITHHOLDING FACTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10467873
Incident
Jul 2, 2012
Mileage
61,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 15, 2012

HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS AT 57000 MILES. AND HAD TO HAVE IT LINED UP AGAIN. TOTAL COST 980.00 THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10465724
Incident
Jul 8, 2012
Mileage
57,072 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 2, 2012

2008 PATRIOT FAILED INSPECTION 1 YEAR AFTER BUYING IT PRE-OWNED LOWER CONTROL ARM-$241.52 OUTTER TIE ROD 74.78 FRONT END REPAIR- 153.00 ALIGNMENT 79.95

NHTSA ID
10463962
Incident
Jul 2, 2012
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 28, 2012

I PURCHASED A USED JEEP PATRIOT WITH 32,952 MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS OWNER HAD BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS. I WAS TOLD THE FRONT WHEELS COULD FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM FOR ME ALONG WITH ROTORS. ORIGINAL TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS, BUT THE NEW ONES ARE ALREADY SHOWING WEAR.THE DEALER & 2 OTHER SHOPS SAID WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BALL JOINTS/ROTORS WERE REPLACED THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE. NOT ONLY WAS A BALL JOINT STILL BAD BUT I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH CONTROL ARMS ARE BAD AND NEED REPLACED. NOW, AFTER BEING REPLACED ONCE (NOW JUST OVER 33,400 MILES ON THE JEEP) I AM TOLD IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE OVER ABOUT 40MPH BECAUSE STILL A WHEEL COULD FALL OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10463478
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
32,952 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 7, 2012

LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND OUTER TIE RODS WORE OUT 54,000 MILES. SEEMS KIND OF LOW MILEAGE FOR THEM TO WEAR OUT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. REPLACED 2/7/12 FOR $690.15. *TR

NHTSA ID
10447023
Incident
Feb 7, 2012
Mileage
54,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 3, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP PATRIOT FWD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE TUNE -UP WHEN THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD, LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED ONLY THE BALL JOINTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,242 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,892.

NHTSA ID
10446572
Incident
Dec 1, 2010
Mileage
41,242 mi
AirbagsSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 6, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON 9/23/2011, I WAS DRIVING 15-20 MPH WHEN A DODGE CHARGER STRUCK MY JEEP ON MY DRIVERSIDE DOOR CAUSING MY JEEP TO LOSE CONTROL AND ROLL COMPLETELY. MY SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING A CONCUSSION. I HAVE SOME MEMORY LOSS AND BACK AND NECK INJURIES. MY JEEP ROLLED ONTO A MEDIAN CAUSING THE ROOF TO CAVE IN FROM THE CENTER OF THE CAR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DURING THE ROLL OVER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10429025
Incident
Sep 23, 2011
Mileage
97,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 3, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP PATRIOT SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS BEGAN EXHIBITING A POPPING SOUND AND CAUSED THE ALIGNMENT TO WEAR THE TIRES PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE LOWER BALLS JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID
10428348
Incident
May 1, 2011
Mileage
86,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 28, 2011

FAILED TIE ROD ENDS AND BALLJOINTS CAUSING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND LOOSE STEERING. *TT

NHTSA ID
10427814
Incident
Sep 20, 2011
Mileage
37,228 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 15, 2011

I PURCHASED A 2008 JEEP PATRIOT NEW IN 2008. IN 2011 WITH 28,916 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THE BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE THE BALL JOINT WERE PERMANENTLY ATTACHED TO THE CONTROL ARMS, THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED AS A SINGLE UNIT. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE WORN THROUGH TO THE STEEL BELTS DUE TO RUBBING FROM THE BAD BALL JOINTS. IF I HADN'T FELT THE CHANGE IN MY VEHICLE, I MIGHT WELL HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT FROM A FRONT END BLOWOUT, OR FROM ONE OR BOTH OF THE BALL JOINTS FAILING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE VEHICLE AND THE JEEP SERVICE MANAGER THAT I SPOKE TO SAID THAT THERE IS NO WAY THE BALL JOINTS SHOULD HAVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT WITH THAT LOW MILEAGE ON THEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND SAID THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY. THE MECHANIC EVEN GAVE ME THE OLD PARTS TO PROVE THAT THE REPAIR WAS DEFINITELY NEEDED, AND IN CASE THERE WAS A RECALL IN THE FUTURE. *KB

NHTSA ID
10425581
Incident
Aug 2, 2011
Mileage
28,915 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 10, 2011

OUR VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAKING CREAKING/GROANING NOISES FOR A FEW WEEKS. WE TOOK IT TO PEPBOYS FOR IT'S ANNUAL INSPECTION, WHEN THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD, ALONG WITH THE DRIVER-SIDE OUTER TIE ROD. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 20,058 MILES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION, AND I'VE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES AS WELL AS HERE ON SAFERCAR.GOV REGARDING THESE PREMATURE BALL JOINT FAILURES, AND THE RELATED PARTS THAT HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED. I OPENED A CASE WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CARE, AND AFTER HAVING THEIR OWN PEOPLE INSPECT THE VEHICLE, THEY'VE REPLACED ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT AND THE FAILED TIE ROD. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE (AND PAYING FOR A PORTION OF THE REPAIR SERVICE, WHICH INCLUDED $150 FOR THE 'EXTENDED WARRANTY' CO-PAY AND A $69.95 ALIGNMENT) THE VEHICLE IS STILL MAKING SOME SQUEAKS, INDICATING THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE BALL JOINT MAY ALSO BE FAILING. I GUESS SOMEONE HAS TO DIE BEFORE A SAFETY RECALL IS ISSUED, OTHERWISE THERE'D ALREADY BE ONE BASED ON THE CURRENT LEVEL OF COMPLAINTS. I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA WILL TAKE THE STEPS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT A SAFETY RECALL OF ALL MK49 CHASSIS CODE SUSPENSION PARTS (JEEP PATRIOT AND COMPASS, AND DODGE CALIBER) BEFORE THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF ONE OF THESE PREMATURELY FAILING BALL JOINTS CAUSES ANY DEATHS DUE TO WHEEL DISCONNECTION AND LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ID
10418949
Incident
Jul 25, 2011
Mileage
20,058 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 19, 2011

2008 JEEP PATRIOT FRONT BALL JOINT NEEDED REPLACED AT 46,000 MILES. *KB

NHTSA ID
10413607
Incident
Jul 19, 2011
Mileage
47,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 16, 2011

THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN MY MECHANIC CHECKED THE TIRES TO SEE IF I WAS HAVING ANY ISSUES WITH THE BALL JOINTS. HE HAS ANOTHER JEEP PATRIOT IN THE GARAGE WITH PROBLEM BALL JOINTS, THAT CAR HAS JUST SLIGHTLY LESS MILES THAN MINE DOES. HE THEN CALLED ME NOTIFYING ME THAT BALL JOINTS WERE BAD, ONE HE CONSIDERED DANGEROUSLY BAD AND HE WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. HE HAS SINCE REPLACED THE SEVERELY DAMAGED ONE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE OTHER AS THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO DO SO. THIS IS THE SECOND SUSPENSION PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. I HAD TO HAVE TIE RODS REPLACED AT 15000 MILES ( COVERED BY WARRANTY). I DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE OFF ROAD AND I AM RIGOROUS ABOUT KEEPING UP WITH ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND, SO I CALLED CHRYSLER AND AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. MY MECHANIC FEELS THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT HAVE TO REPAIRED AT THIS STAGE, GIVEN THE MILEAGE AND THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THIS ISSUE I HAVE SOME PRETTY SERIOUS WEAR ON TIRES I JUST REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR.

NHTSA ID
10414238
Incident
Jul 15, 2011
Mileage
54,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .