2011 Jeep Patriot Suspension Problems

Rusted rear sub frame and suspension parts

NHTSA ID

11691580

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

Rear cross members and majority of the subframe rusted out, but this only was an issue 2 years after the extended warranty expired.

NHTSA ID

11547113

Incident

Aug 24, 2023

Vehicle has a bad wheel bearing. While replacing wheel bearing noticed that the rear subframe was completely rotted/rusted. The corrosion on the rear subframe is far worse than the rest of the vehicle. This vehicle is unsafe to drive in its current state as the crossmember could collapse causing a loss of control of the vehicle. Upon doing some research it is clear that Chrysler knows that this is a issue. I cannot believe that there hasn't been a recall to replace these subframes. I guess its going to take a major accident or worse to before anything will get done. I have included pictures of the crossmember as well as the undercarriage of the vehicle for comparison.

NHTSA ID

11530799

Incident

Jul 6, 2023

Vehicle is known to have an issue with rusting subframe/crossmembers . Warranty on this vehicle was extended. (Service Bulletin 23-007-17, X69 Warranty Extension) However upon multiple dealer visits and requesting inspection was not notified that issue was happening. Approximately 1.5 years after warranty extension had expired noticeable issues started occurring including noises that got worse and prompted a visit to dealer. Had to fight tooth and nail to get dealership or company to work with me on repairs on low mileage (121K) vehicle and even then they missed 1/2 the problem and told me not to come back to the shop. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - See beginning - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Front crossmember completely rotted out and separated, holding on by only control arm - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes, know issues but wording of service bulletin and dealership neglect result in customer not being informed or postponement of repair until too late - Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Dealership - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No warning other than single notification of warranty extension, asked for vehicle inspection 7 months prior to warranty expiration and given an all good -

NHTSA ID

11511055

Incident

Sep 16, 2022

Rear crossmember subframe rusted through. Front crossmember subframe rusting. Vehicle unsafe for driving

NHTSA ID

11503573

Incident

Jan 25, 2023

Jeep Patriot 2011 Latitude with severe corrosion to front and rear subframe assemblies. Noted for recent emergence of clunking sound on front end when passing over dips and bumps. Made arrangement for towing of vehicle to personal mechanic to check out and also make state inspection. Noted to have severe fracture of front subframe then resting on axle and wheel assemblage parts. Rear subframe member in same condition with ability to poke holes through structural member. Conditiion resulted in failure to pass inspection. Vehicle deemed unsafe to drive. Further deterioration expected with potential for loss of steering or wheel falling off. Liability for accident or bodily harm in potential failure noted. Vehicle later towed to another mechanic with same determination. Vehicle towed to local body shop where Insurance agent denied accountability for collision or comprehensive coverage. Damage initially assessed at about $900 per part with accessory components to be added at discovery. Issue is well known to manufacturer via many complaint website postings I have since learned. Vehicle towed to another body shop which will assess and complete repair if practical. Second shop said they had repaired similar vehicle for same problem recently. Noted that subframes were manufactured in Mexico. This is inappropriate for regional application in Pennsylvania noted for harsh climate and road treatment. That vehicle was restored with Canada manufactured part of heavier gauge and quality. My vehicle is low mileage at 79000 miles, garage kept, driven locally only;engine fine. I have 2008 Town and Country Chryler and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with NO OBVIOUS signs of such wear. The corrosive factor accelerated since last inspection in Dec 2021. There were NO WARNING lights or signs upon emergence of the problem. This is serious safety issue where unexpectedly steering loss or wheel displacement could result in accident to self or others or crash.

NHTSA ID

11490633

Incident

Sep 15, 2022

The back passenger tire started rubbing and smoking. After getting home, noticed the wheel was at an angle. After taking off the tire, noticed the whole rear suspension cradle was completely rusted through. I contacted Chrysler dealer to find out no recall. Contacted the place I purchased the jeep only 18 months ago, sent them pics, and was told "That is normal". I could have been on the Interstate or highway when the suspension broke. There was absolutely no warning signs this could happen or was going to happen. I have not driven much due to working from home since COVID. Has not been inspected since I don't know who to contact. So now I have a jeep sitting in my drive that I can't drive and still paying on.

NHTSA ID

11485949

Incident

Sep 6, 2022

Chasis, crossmember suspension broke for corrosion

NHTSA ID

11478104

Incident

Aug 5, 2022

I took Jeep 2011with only 77,000 miles on it in for new brakes and was told that the REAR SUB FRAME and CROSS MEMBER BAR are completely RUSTED OUT and that it needs to be replaced. according to my own online research this seems to be a VERY COMMON PROBLEM with Jeeps. Perhaps this warrants a recall. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11474863

Incident

Jul 5, 2022

I went to get my car inspected and was told that I would need to replace my cross member/subframe which would cost thousands. I was trying to figure out how to fix it for less when I came across a discussion board where everyone with these vehicles were having the same problem. I also look on YouTube and all the comments under multiple videos showing how to replace it also had the same problem. This issue is Chrysler knew this was an issue and extended the warranty for that part and most owner of that vehicle had no idea they did. The owner ended up paying thousands for the part or trading their car in and buying another one. I believe Chrysler quietly extended the warranty and never properly notified vehicle owners of the extension. They also didn’t make any type of public announcement that would inform drivers who brought the cars used after one or more owners had it. They also did not allot enough time for the warranty. In the extension letter to dealership I dug up online was announced in 2017. The cars with this issue where produced in 2008-12 but they only extended the warranty to ten years from the start of service. That means if you brought a car in 2008 you would have had less than one year to realize you where eligible for a new subframe under warranty. Also they should have recalled the parts since so many people were have issues with it. And if one’s lived in a state where they don’t need safety inspections they would never have known.

NHTSA ID

11469876

Incident

Jun 16, 2022

My Jeep will not pass inspection because of excessive rust/rot on the front and rear sub frame. To have both front and rear sub frames repaired will cost me approximately $3,000 dollars, which I do not have. This should have been recalled and covered by manufacturer long before this time. What am I suppose to do know with no usable vehicle ???

NHTSA ID

11466249

Incident

May 26, 2022

Subframe rust so bad that the car has subsequently been deemed unsafe to drive. It is available for inspection. Safety put at risk due to insufficient support of frame at contact points of steering and stability mechanisms. Presently, vehicle has. Not been inspected by anyone other than myself and personal mechanic. There was absolutely no safety light, warnings or otherwise to indicate a problem. This apparently has been an ongoing issue with this year/make/model which absolutely needs to initiate a recall.

NHTSA ID

11460903

Incident

Apr 14, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the subframe inadvertently lowered. Additionally, the contact stated that the muffler was rusted. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact notified the local dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a discount on the cost of the parts. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ID

11458713

Incident

Mar 21, 2022

Mileage

142,000 mi

Rear suspension lower control arm disconnected from the rear crossmember due to crossmember rust. The manufacturer isn't honoring the x69 front and rear crossmember rust out extended warranty because the vehicle is a few weeks past 10 years, but the vehicle was at the dealer a year before the warranty ran out and the rear crossmember was apparently not inspected, only the front suspension was looked at according to the Multi Point inspection recommendations. Consumer stated dealers diagnosis blames a rusty lower control arm for the failure, which isn't true.

NHTSA ID

11442643

Incident

Nov 18, 2021

Front cross member (Subframe is completely rusted)Causing a loud thumping noise when applying brakes or driving over bumps in the road. Very dangerous if the subframe would come completely separated from the vehicles body.(THIS Should definitely be a RECALL and why it hasn't been is a real mystery to me. This is not an isolated problem. Every Patriot owner I have talked to seem to have the same problem. Chrysler is aware of this too. I am expressing my deep concern on this matter and I know that there won't be a [XXX] thing done about it. I will be left with fixing this [XXX] on my own. In the meantime I refuse to let my wife drive the [XXX] thing until it is fixed. Chrysler should be held accountable for this defect but I'm sure that they won't. Wife bought this vehicle brand new in 2011 against my better judgement. But she's the one that paid for it. Now I'm paying for it in repair costs. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11438584

Incident

Sep 24, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic, the mechanic discovered a significant amount of rust to the sub frame of the vehicle. The mechanic informed her that there might have been a recall on the vehicle for the corrosion. The mechanic also informed her that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the amount of rust on the suspension. The contact then called the dealer and was informed that there was a warranty on the vehicle for the corrosion on the subframe however, the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11426859

Incident

Jul 28, 2021

Structural issue/rust - engine cradle - front cross member rusted through on underside of Jeep. The car broke down while we were traveling and had to have a cross member replaced at a dealership. The car ran but was noisy and unsafe to drive, and we were 4 hours from home. Despite having an oil change recently, we were not warned of the issue. The replacement cost about $1500 out of pocket.

NHTSA ID

11426412

Incident

Jul 10, 2021

rust holes in front sub frame

NHTSA ID

11426407

Incident

Jul 19, 2021

The front subframe rusted through on the left hand side which in turn caused the lower control arm to shift outward preventing full steering capabilities. There was a warranty extension dated back from 2017, brought into service on December of 2019, to the Chrysler dealership where it was purchased for lights on the cluster and a steering vibration and no one mentioned the subframe issue that was persisting on this model year. Was told rather that it needed a new bearing and a speed sensor. Replaced both and the issue wasn’t fixed. I am told now (July 2021) that this extension expired in March of this same year. Was told by both the dealer and the customer service hotline that there is absolutely nothing they can do. They also mentioned that there should have been a letter sent out for this warranty extension but nothing was ever received. Been at the same address since well before the purchase date of this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11424452

Incident

Jul 9, 2021

I purchased my 2011 Jeep Patriot from a car dealership in October of 2020. After a week of having the vehicle, I noticed a loud clunking sound coming from underneath. I took it back to the dealer and was told it was nothing. After taking it to my mechanic, he found major rust and corrosion on the front and rear subframe and crossmembers. I paid $2200 in repairs on the car, only to find out the he only did the front end of the car. The back end is just as bad and the car is unsafe for me to drive. When he did the front end of the car, the pieces fell apart as he began taking it apart. This car was a ticking time bomb. It’s now June of 2021 and I don’t know what to do

NHTSA ID

11421344

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

Subframe is a hazard

NHTSA ID

11418945

Incident

Apr 25, 2021

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOON AFTER EXITING HIS DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DRIVEWAY TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, HE BECAME AWARE THAT THE REAR CROSSMEMBER WAS RUSTED AND WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED EXECUTIVE JEEP (900 UNIVERSAL DR N, NORTH HAVEN, CT 06473) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY HAD ALREADY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,570.

NHTSA ID

11414135

Incident

Apr 27, 2021

Mileage

135,570 mi

CROSSMEMBERS ROTTED. BRACKETS HOLDING IT ROTTED OFF. DIFFERENTIAL ROTTED. SUBFRAME ROTTED.

NHTSA ID

11408229

Incident

Apr 14, 2021

Mileage

141,000 mi

THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND DETERIORATED, UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANY LONGER.

NHTSA ID

11378299

Incident

Dec 7, 2020

Mileage

16,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT FRAME BROKE AND THE CV AND FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE, I HAD TO WRESTLE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TO HAVE BOTH FRONT AND BACK REPLACED WITH SEVERAL OTHER PARTS THE DEALER HAD BROKE IN THE PROCESS OF "FIXING" IT

NHTSA ID

11363211

Incident

May 11, 2020

Mileage

99,500 mi