2009 Jeep Patriot FWD Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Jeep Patriot FWD, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension618.2%
- Electrical515.2%
- Engine515.2%
- Body & structure412.1%
- Powertrain (other)26.1%
- Tires & wheels26.1%
- Brakes26.1%
- Driver assistance26.1%
- Exterior lighting26.1%
- Steering13.0%
- Other / unspecified13.0%
- Fuel system13.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENTIRE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE RACK AND PINION TO BE DAMAGED. AUTO SHOP SAID HE WOULD NOT DARE HIT A POT HOLE WITH THIS SINCE THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE COULD FALL OUT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THE JEEP FORUMS.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON INDICATING INTAKE RUNNER VALVE STUCK OPEN, REPLACED ALL PARTS CHECKED BUTTERFLY'S ALL OK. ALSO X FRAME UNDER ENGINE RUSTED OUT. NO ACCIDENT YET.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF AND SUNROOF LEAK
THE ENGINE LOSSES POWER FEELS LIKE ITS GONNA BREAK DOWN WENT THRU 2 ALTERNATORS AND 3 BATTERY'S IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS DRAWLING THE ELECTRICAL POWER AWAY WHEN ACCELERATING OR USING HEADLIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT FWD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE VEHICLE TOOK SO LONG TO START. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,488. *BF *TR
THE ENGINE LOSSES POWER FEELS LIKE ITS GONNA BREAK DOWN WENT THRU 2 ALTERNATORS AND 3 BATTERY'S IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS DRAWLING THE ELECTRICAL POWER AWAY WHEN ACCELERATING OR USING HEADLIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SUNROOF LEAKS. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAY THEY CAN 'FIX' IT. THEY BLOW OUT THE DRAIN LINES. THAT DOES NOT FIX IT, WITHIN A FEW MONTHS IT IS BLOCKED/KINKED AGAIN. WHY DOES THE WATER DRIP THROUGH THE WINDOW SEAL ANYWAY? SEEMS THAT IS WHAT NEEDS FIXING. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIO-$550.00-AND EVERY TIME THEY BLOW OUT THE DRAIN LINES, IT IS $35.00. THIS IS MY 5TH AND LAST JEEP PRODUCT. IT IS PARKED IN A GARAGE ALL DAY AT WORK AND ALL NIGHT AT HOME. WHAT WOULD THE PROBLEM BE LIKE IF I PARKED IT UNDER TREES? NOW THE MAP LIGHTS DON'T WORK FROM THE WATER DAMAGE, AND YES, I KNOW, IT IS PAST WARRANTY-IN THE BEGINNING, YOU THINK YOU LEFT IT OPEN A CRACK, OR IT IS COLD AND SOMETHING IS FROZEN, AND THEN THE DEALER SAYS THEY CAN 'FIX' THE PROBLEM. AND NOW, FINALLY, I AM REALIZING THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW-I GOOGLED IT, AND I AM AMONG THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
JEEP IS LEAKING WATER THROUGH THE FRONT MAP LIGHT, SUNROOF, "A" PILLARS, AND REAR INTERIOR HATCH LIGHT. SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ON 10-8-2013 AND THE WATER LEAK STARTED AGAIN ON 03-24-2014. CHRYSLER DID ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN #23-016-10 ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2010 BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. THERE IS WATER ACCUMULATING INSIDE THE PILLAR'S AND I CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY AIR BAGS AND MOLD ISSUES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS SLOWING DOWN AS I APPROACHED A LIGHT WHEN MY JEEP PATRIOT STALLED IN TRAFFIC. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. *TR
AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THE RPM'S STARTED GOING UP AND THE CAR STARTED WHIRRING LIKE IT WAS STRAINING. A LIGHT CAME ON THAT I LATER IDENTIFIED AS THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE TO ABOUT 5MPH. I HAD TO PULL OFF AND SIT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES UNTIL THE CAR COOLED DOWN AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES. YOUR CAR SLOWING DOWN ON A BUSY INTERSTATE COMING FROM WASHINGTON DC IS VERY SCARY. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET OVER AND NOT CRASH. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO A DEALER WHO CHECKED IT AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. SO WE DROVE IT AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME DURING A 90 MILE TRIP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
VALVE STEM BROKE WHILE INFLATING TIRES. INFLATING OUR CUSTOMERS' TIRES IS PART OF OUR SERVICE AND REQUIRED BY CALIFORNIA LAW. THIS IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE AT OUR OIL CHANGE FACILITIES. WE ARE USUALLY LEFT PAYING FOR THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING THE TPMS SENSOR, MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING THE TIRE BY A TIRE SHOP. *TR
BLOWOUT OCCURRED IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE. WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON STATE ROUTE 8 IN STOW, OHIO, BETWEEN ROUTE 303 AND STEELES CORNER ROAD. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS 90 F. SPEED WAS 55 MPH. ROAD SURFACE WAS ROUGH; SURFACE LAYER OF PAVEMENT HAD BEEN REMOVED TO PREPARE FOR RESURFACING. NO CURB, DEBRIS, OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS WERE PRESENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE ABS LIGHT APPEARS FROM TIME TO TIME ,ABS STOPS TO WORK AND ALSO CRUISE CONTROL STOPS TO WORK AT THE SAME TIME ,LATELY MORE OFTEN - SOMETIMES IF DRIVING FOR LONGER PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL RESUME FUNCTIONALITY THEN COMES BACK AGAIN. *TR
HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS . HAD VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 7/5/12 AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER AND WERE SUPPOSE TO DO A VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF AND SUNROOF LEAK
THE ENGINE LOSSES POWER FEELS LIKE ITS GONNA BREAK DOWN WENT THRU 2 ALTERNATORS AND 3 BATTERY'S IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS DRAWLING THE ELECTRICAL POWER AWAY WHEN ACCELERATING OR USING HEADLIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF AND SUNROOF LEAK
THE SUNROOF LEAKS. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAY THEY CAN 'FIX' IT. THEY BLOW OUT THE DRAIN LINES. THAT DOES NOT FIX IT, WITHIN A FEW MONTHS IT IS BLOCKED/KINKED AGAIN. WHY DOES THE WATER DRIP THROUGH THE WINDOW SEAL ANYWAY? SEEMS THAT IS WHAT NEEDS FIXING. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIO-$550.00-AND EVERY TIME THEY BLOW OUT THE DRAIN LINES, IT IS $35.00. THIS IS MY 5TH AND LAST JEEP PRODUCT. IT IS PARKED IN A GARAGE ALL DAY AT WORK AND ALL NIGHT AT HOME. WHAT WOULD THE PROBLEM BE LIKE IF I PARKED IT UNDER TREES? NOW THE MAP LIGHTS DON'T WORK FROM THE WATER DAMAGE, AND YES, I KNOW, IT IS PAST WARRANTY-IN THE BEGINNING, YOU THINK YOU LEFT IT OPEN A CRACK, OR IT IS COLD AND SOMETHING IS FROZEN, AND THEN THE DEALER SAYS THEY CAN 'FIX' THE PROBLEM. AND NOW, FINALLY, I AM REALIZING THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW-I GOOGLED IT, AND I AM AMONG THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS . HAD VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 7/5/12 AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER AND WERE SUPPOSE TO DO A VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE SENSOR LIGHT WENT ON. PULLED OVER TO AIR STATION. STOPPED CAR. REMOVED TIRE STEM COVER TO PUT AIR IN TIRE. STEM BROKE AND TIRE DEFLATED. THIS HAPPENED 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO 3 SEPARATE TIRES. MY MECHANIC SAID THE TIRE STEMS ARE FAULTY. THEY COST $180 EACH TO REPLACE AND BREAK OFF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT FWD. WHILE PLACING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, FUEL SPEWED OUT. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FILLER NECK VALVE WAS OPEN AND ALLOWED FUEL TO SPLASH BACK. DUE TO THE FAILURE, IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MINUTES TO FUEL THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,141.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .