RoadVitals

2009 Jeep Patriot Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure 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.
48
Latest Jun 13, 2023
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.
25%
of 191 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.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Jeep Patriot submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 48 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 body or structure

The 25 most recent of 48, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Jun 13, 2023

Subframe front and rear are completely rusted out and unsafe to drive

NHTSA ID
11526857
Incident
Jun 6, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Sep 11, 2022

Vehicle started making a metal rub noise. Took to mechanic. K frame front drivers side is completely broken in two. Engine could have broken thru and caused a crash. No warning lights

NHTSA ID
11483935
Incident
Jul 20, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Aug 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that the vehicle front subframe was corroded. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the front subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that in July 2022, the vehicle was taken to a tire shop and the contact was informed that the rear subframe was corroded. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

NHTSA ID
11478206
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
Mileage
141,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 15, 2022

My rear subframe is completely rusted through. It is available for inspection. It has been confirmed by an independent service center. Warranties were issued to 2007 owners or 10 years old. 3 years ago I noticed a squeek in the trunk. Was told it was struts so I had them replaced. Now the vehicle knocks and squeaks so bad it has to sit until I can afford to replace subframe.

NHTSA ID
11474029
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Body & structurePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Mar 10, 2022

Air conditioner drain drips directly on subframe cross brace for front cradle, erosion and road grim along with neverending dripping water even from using defrost leads to rust and cross brace breaking into and well you can use your imagination for what happens next. Drain needs extended and re routed because I know I can't be the only one with this problem.

NHTSA ID
11456222
Incident
Mar 10, 2022
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Sep 2, 2021

The contact's daughter-in-law owns a 2009 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while he was replacing the brakes and control arms on the vehicle, he noticed that both the front and rear sub frame of the vehicle were severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear and front subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11431487
Incident
Aug 25, 2021
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 24, 2021

LEFT SIDE OF FRONT FRAME HAS LARGE RUST HOLE AND IS BADLY RUSTED. RIGHT SIDE IS BADLY RUSTED BUT NO HOLE.

NHTSA ID
11404756
Incident
Nov 10, 2020
Mileage
112,843 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Feb 4, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SAW THAT A PIECE OF THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS MISSING DUE TO CORROSION ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CORROSION HAD SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE AND REMAINED UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11394660
Incident
Jul 2, 2020
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 14, 2020
Crash reported

THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSMEMBER CORRODED AND SNAPPED IN HALF. THERE WAS A 10YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I APPARENTLY MISSED BY A FEW MONTHS. THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS. IT CAUSED THE TIRE TO POP WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM IT RUBBING AND THEN I VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER IS ALSO IN SIMILAR CONDITION. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ASAP. IT IS NOW STATIONARY AND IMMOBILE BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION. IT WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET. IT CAUSED ME TO NEED A TOW.

NHTSA ID
11349297
Incident
Aug 11, 2020
Mileage
169,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed May 12, 2020

IT HAS BEEN MAKING A CRACKING/CLUNKING NOISE THERE FOR YEARS. MY WIFE COMPLAINED OF IT SOUNDING LOUDER THAN NORMAL, SO I LOOKED AT IT CLOSER AND NOTICED THE CROSSMEMBER WAS BROKEN. I'VE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THAT SIDE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED BROKEN BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS. I FOUND OUT LAST NIGHT THAT THIS WOULD'VE BEEN A WARRANTY ITEM HAD I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN 6 MONTHS AGO, BUT AM BEING TOLD THAT I BROUGHT IT IN TOO LATE. MY REPLY WAS I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE AND WASN'T NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PLACED ON THAT PART. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324287
Incident
May 3, 2020
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 21, 2019

I HAD AN INSPECTION DONE AND WAS TOLD MY JEEP IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE! THE SUBFRAME AND CROSSMEMBER IS TRASH AND COULD CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE ACCIDENT AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. I WENT TO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JUNE 2019 A FEW MONTHS AGO. PLEASE RECALL THIS SO IT CAN BE FIXED AND LIVES ARE NOT AT STAKE.

NHTSA ID
11290597
Incident
Dec 21, 2019
Mileage
78,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 23, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED AND PURCHASED PARTS FROM FRANK BOUCHER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF JANESVILLE (4001 MILTON AVE, JANESVILLE, WI 53546, (608) 757-6150) AND HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIR THE RUST FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,556.

NHTSA ID
11234186
Incident
Aug 12, 2016
Mileage
70,556 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 7, 2019

THE PLASTIC PART THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR IN THE HOUSING BROKE AND MADE MIRROR UNUSABLE.

NHTSA ID
11218470
Incident
May 29, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 15, 2018

WE TOOK OUR CAR IN DUE TO SOME NOISE & INCIDENTALLY IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE DANGEROUSLY ROTTED ENGINE CRADLE. THE REST OF THE CAR IS NOT RUSTED OUT.

NHTSA ID
11161721
Incident
Dec 15, 2018
Mileage
124,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 17, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED FROM THE DOME LIGHT WHEN IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MODERN NISSAN OF LAKE NORMAN (18615 STATESVILLE RD, CORNELIUS, NC 28031, 704-603-6575) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID
11129914
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
111,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 5, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.. UPDATED 03/29/17 LJ *JS

NHTSA ID
10939843
Incident
Jan 4, 2017
Mileage
183,009 mi
Body & structureEngineSuspension
Filed Oct 3, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER PREMATURELY FAILED AND THE ENGINE MOUNTS FRACTURED. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10911163
Incident
Sep 1, 2016
Mileage
115,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 6, 2016

2009 JEEP PATRIOT WENT TO SHOP FOR A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. CLUNKING SOUND WAS OCCASIONAL AND MOST OFTEN HAPPENED WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER A BUMP. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A SWAY BAR LINK. ONCE UP ON THE LIFT WE COULD SEE THAT THE CROSSMEMBER UP FRONT (AND OTHER PARTS OF THE UNDERBODY) WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. MECHANIC (INDEPENDENT) ADVISED THAT VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE RUST IS BAD ENOUGH THAT IT COULD CRACK THROUGH COMPLETELY AT ANY TIME, DROPPING OUT THE ENGINE, AMONG OTHER THINGS. CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT ISSUE AS I FOUND OUT THAT THE 2007 JEEP PATRIOT WAS GIVEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (10 YEAR) FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. CHRYSLER OFFERED ME NO ASSISTANCE OR GUIDANCE.

NHTSA ID
10904205
Incident
Sep 6, 2016
Body & structureEngine
Filed Aug 30, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD CORRODED AND THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY EVAPORATING FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE CRADLE. THE TECHNICIAN THEN STATED THAT THE CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSES AND FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10899423
Incident
Aug 27, 2016
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE DEALER PROVIDED NO RECOMMENDATION REGARDING REPLACING THE PART OR COATING THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHO WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A REPAIR RECOMMENDATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE DEALER TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10884018
Incident
Jul 9, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Jun 26, 2016

THE SUBFRAME ON THIS VEHICLE IS RUSTED THROUGH THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON SEVERAL CHRYSLER PRODUCT'S DEALERSHIP SAID IT NEEDS REPLACED BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER ANY PORTION OF THE COST THIS IS A OBVIOUS SAFETY DEFECT WITH THEIR PRODUCT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF MY MECHANIC SAID WHEN THIS BREAKS APART I WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF STEERING READING ON SEVERAL FORUMS THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES A SEVEN YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE MAJOR STRUCTURAL ISSUES CONTACTING CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSIST WAS NO HELP THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE COST EVEN AFTER A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS ROTTED OUT AND NEEDS REPLACED BEFORE IT BREAKS AND CAUSE'S AN ACCIDENT I HAD READ THAT THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE 07 MODEL YEARS BECAUSE OF THIS MAJOR DEFECT NOW THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND INCLUDE THE LATER MODEL YEARS I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE LOOKING AT A CHRYSLER PRODUCT TO DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING

NHTSA ID
10876648
Incident
Jun 25, 2016
Mileage
108,102 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 23, 2016

PART INVOLVED IS THE CROSSMEMBER (K-FRAME) P/N 68211659AA. A/C CONDENSATE DRAIN IS DIRECTLY OVER THE K-FRAME (ENGINE CRADLE). THE K-FRAME IS PERPETUALLY WET AND THEREFORE CORRODES. IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW THAT CREATES A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IF THE K-FRAME FAILS AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN TRAFFIC THEN THERE IS LIKELIHOOD OF DEATH OR SEVERE INJURY. JEEP ADMITS TO A PROBLEM WITH THE K-FRAME IN THE 2007 MODEL YEAR AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO COVER THIS DEFECT. TODAY I CALLED JEEP AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THEY ASKED FOR MY VIN AND TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NO INTEREST AT ALL IN EVEN RECEIVING PHOTOS OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. MY LOCAL DEALER HAD THREE OF THESE $634 PARTS IN INVENTORY... THEY MUST GO THROUGH A LOT OF THEM. THE ONLY CONCLUSION I CAN MAKE IS THAT JEEP SEES THIS DEFECT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CASH IN -- TO HECK WITH THE LIVES IT ENDANGERS. I OFFERED TO BRING THE JEEP PATRIOT DIRECTLY TO THEIR ENGINEERING CENTER IN AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN SO THAT THEIR ENGINEERS COULD SEE FOR THEMSELVES. THE ANSWER: NOT INTERESTED.

NHTSA ID
10876185
Incident
Jun 18, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Apr 25, 2016

IN APRIL 2016 THIS 2009 JEEP PATROIT FAILED THE ANNUAL NEW YORK STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO A SEVERELY RUSTED, UNSAFE FRAME CROSSMEMBER UNDER THE ENGINE. THE OWNER IS AWARE THAT CHRYSLER/JEEP RECOGNIZES THIS SAFETY PROBLEM AND IN JULY 2014 ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (X58) TO COVER REPAIRS TO 2007 JEEP PATROITS AND OTHERS. THIS SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS THE EXACT SAME CORROSION ISSUE BUT IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY JEEP AS BEING PART OF THE WARRANTED POPULATION. THE JEEP CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES FAIL TO PROVIDE A CREDITABLE EXPLANATION FOR WHY A WARRANTY CANNOT BE EXTENDED TO ANY VEHICLE THAT MANIFESTS THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE ALREADY ADDRESSED. THIS OWNER ARGUES THAT JEEP SHOULD PROVIDE FOR THIS REPAIR FROM STANDPOINTS OF ETHICS, CREDITABLY, SAFETY, PRECEDENT, AND PROMOTION OF FUTURE CUSTOMER LOYALTY. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WITH JEEP CUSTOMER AGENTS (1-877-426-5337) AND IS ASSIGNED CASE #29134626. CONFORMATION OF THE CITED DEFECT CAN BE VERIFIED BY THE SERVICING DEALER: DUROCHER CHRYSLER SALES, PLATTSBURG, NY, 1-888-635-4599.

NHTSA ID
10861383
Incident
Apr 11, 2016
Mileage
164,300 mi
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 28, 2016

I PURCHASED A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT IN 2012. MY SUNROOF AND DOME LIGHTS HAVE BEEN LEAKING/POURING WATER INTO MY CAR, DESPITE PAYING TO HAVE THE JEEP DEALERS "BLOW OUT" THE NOW "TOO CORRODED TUBES" MORE THAN 4-5 TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. I'M TIRED OF DEALING WITH THE SUBSEQUENT MOLD AND DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LEAKS; NOT TO MENTION THE AWFUL SMELL AND UNSIGHTLY STAINS. I ALMOST VEERED OFF THE ROAD WHEN THE STREAM STARTED POURING OUT OF MY DOME-LIGHT AND NEARLY ZAPPED MY HAND WHEN TRYING TO WIPE OFF/BLOCK THE RADIO, IN THE MIDST OF THE LEAK RIGHT BEFORE THE RADIO SHORTED OUT, WHILE DRIVING/TURNING DOWN A CITY STREET. WHEN I BRAKED TO PULL OVER, EVEN MORE WATER CAME POURING THROUGH MY LIGHT AND ONTO THE SHIFTING AREA, AIR VENTS, AND IGNITION. I QUICKLY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND GRABBED CLOTHING AND TOWELS FROM MY TRUNK (WHICH I LUCKILY HAPPENED TO HAVE THAT DAY) AND BEGAN PRESSING THE MATERIALS TO THE DOME-LIGHTS. WHILE DOING SO, I FELT TAPPING ON MY SHOULDER AND LOOKED UP TO SEE THAT MY ENTIRE ROOF SURROUNDING THE SUNROOF WAS SOAKED AND DRIPPING ONTO ME AND MY SEATS. ALSO, THE BACK DOME-LIGHT WAS LEAKING ONTO MY BACK SEATS.... THIS WAS ALL ON THE WAY TO WORK, DURING THE BUSY TRAFFIC HOURS OF THE MORNING, AND THE LEAKS DID NOT CEASE DURING MY 40 MINUTE, HIGHWAY DRIVE TO WORK. I HAD TO COVER ALL OF MY SEATS AND ESSENTIALLY THE ENTIRE FRONT CONSOLE AND DASHBOARD, WITH TRASH BAGS AND CLOTHES TO PROTECT THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR WHILE IN MY OFFICE BUILDING. THE LEAKS SUBSIDED BY THE TIME I WAS DONE WORKING, BUT THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR WAS SOAKED AND THE RADIO AND LIGHTS DID NOT TURN BACK ON FOR HOURS. THERE IS NOW MOLD IN BOTH SETS OF DOME-LIGHTS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THESE LEAKS HAVE A OCCURRED, OBVIOUSLY, BUT IT WAS CERTAINLY A DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE NONETHELESS.

NHTSA ID
10851862
Incident
Mar 7, 2016
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME AND SUB-FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10850166
Incident
Nov 10, 2015

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

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .