RoadVitals

2012 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.
14
Latest Jan 22, 2025
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.
4%
of 353 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.
2
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 2012 Jeep Patriot submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Jan 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot 4x4. The contact stated that on five occasions in two years when adjusting all four front air vents manually, a metallic paint/coating sliced her finger causing a paper-cut injury. Medical attention was not sought. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11637784
Incident
Jun 1, 2023
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle had a flat tire. The contact stated upon changing the flat tire, the contact noticed that the rear subframe where the rear axle was connected to was rusted and the axle had started to detach from the vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was informed there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and instructed the contact to reach out to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID
11595081
Incident
Jun 11, 2024
Mileage
82,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 13, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the undercarriage was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 91,847.

NHTSA ID
11484272
Incident
Aug 30, 2022
Mileage
91,847 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 22, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A GRINDING SOUND FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND CRADLE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH CAUSING A FRACTURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
11389423
Incident
Jan 15, 2021
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 14, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME AND AIR CONDITIONING VENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHARLIE'S MOTOR MALL (465 WESTERN AVE, AUGUSTA, ME 04330: (207) 622-7327) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATIONS: 23-007-17 (REVISION B) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

NHTSA ID
11383400
Incident
Dec 11, 2020
Mileage
104,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 9, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN OBJECT HANGING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER AND FRAME WERE RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BROWN-DAUB DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (7720 BETH BATH PIKE, BATH, PA 18014, (844) 532-2120) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ID
11363562
Incident
Oct 7, 2020
Mileage
113,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 13, 2019

FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME OF THE JEEP HAS BAD CORROSIN, JEEP ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS PASS THE WARRANTY COVERAGE, WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?

NHTSA ID
11231561
Incident
Jul 13, 2019
Body & structure
Filed Mar 18, 2017

MY 2012 JEEP PATRIOT HAS WET CARPETS ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR. THE HEADLINER IS ALSO LEAKING EVERY TIME I GO THOUGH THE CAR WASH OR IT RAINS HEAVILY. THIS IS A EXTREMELY COMMON JEEP PATRIOT PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THESE JEEPS ARE LEAKING CONSTANTLY. I AM TIRED OF MY JEEP HAVING WET CARPETS AND WATER LEAKING FROM THE ROOF. THIS WILL HAPPEN IF I AM MOVING OR JUST PARKED. WATER CONSTANTLY COMES IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR. IT IS ASKING FOR THE DATE IT HAPPENED I AM GOING TO JUST PUT TODAYS DATE, BUT JUST KNOW IT HAS HAPPENED WITH MY JEEP FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFETIME.

NHTSA ID
10966680
Incident
Mar 18, 2017
Body & structure
Filed Mar 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RETAINED WATER LEADING TO EXCESSIVE WATER BUILD UP ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO OPENINGS ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED PADDING TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ID
10958363
Incident
Mar 3, 2016
Mileage
91,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 25, 2017

THE BACK PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD IS CONSISTENTLY SOAKING WET, WITH A STANDING PUDDLE OF WATER. WELL DRY IT UP AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND THE NEXT MORNING IF ITS RAINED THE BACK PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD WILL BE COMPLETELY WET AGAIN. THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS GET EXTREMELY WET AND DEWY TO WERE THERE IS WATER DRIPPING FROM THEM INCLUDING THE INSIDE OF THE SUNROOF WINDOW. WE AGAIN SOAK IT ALL UP, AS MUCH AS WE CAN. BUT THE UPHOLSTERY ON THE SEATS, SUNROOF COVER AND THE HEADLINER STAY VERY DEWY AND MOIST TO WERE YOUR BUTT/PANTS AND TAIL END OF YOUR SHIRT ARE BOTH DAMP FROM SITTING IN IT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THE OBVIOUS THAT THE CARPET AND THE UPHOLSTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE JEEP NEED TO BE COMPLETELY DRIED OUT THOROUGHLY, BUT THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE ISSUE AS TO WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE LEAK. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT WASN'T MUCH HELP. WERE VERY CONCERNED AND DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, WORRIED ALL THE WATER IS SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER HASN'T BEEN WORKING SINCE THE LEAK ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10947685
Incident
Dec 1, 2016
Mileage
74,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 11, 2015
Fire reported

THE REAR BUMPER ON MY PATRIOT CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE EXHAUST PIPE APPEARS TO HAVE RISEN BEHIND THE BUMPER CAUSING MY BUMPER TO MELT AND CATCH FIRE. I REMOVED THE MELTED/BURNED PLASTIC AROUND THE PIPE TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE

NHTSA ID
10747929
Incident
Aug 10, 2015
Mileage
149,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 8, 2014

I WAS DRIVING MY JEEP AND IT SEEMED TO SOUND REALLY LOUD, LIKE A MOTORCYCLE, AND WHEN I'D ACCELERATE IT WASN'T SMOOTH, IT'S ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING WAS STUCK. I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT SOME GROCERIES IN THE BACK, I NOTICED MY BUMPER LOOKED FUNNY AND I COULD NOT SEE THE TAIL PIPE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP (I HAD CALLED EARLIER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS NOISE, BEFORE I NOTICED THE BUMPER). HE TOLD ME TO COME IN AND THEY'D FIX IT. THE TAIL PIPE GOT LODGED UP IN MY BUMPER, BURNED A HOLE IN THE BUMPER, AND STARTED BURNING THE FRAME OF MY JEEP. IT WAS EXTREMELY HOT AND HAD I NOT NOTICED IT, WOULD HAVE STARTED ON FIRE. THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS ONE TIME BEFORE WHEN SOMEONE HIT A SNOW BANK. WE HAVEN'T HAD SNOW IN MONTHS, AND THAT WEEKEND I DROVE MY JEEP TO MY MOM'S AND IT WAS PARKED ALL WEEKEND. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, AND NO CAR COULD HIT ME THAT LOW TO LODGE THAT UP. I NOW CHECK EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR TO MAKE SURE I CAN SEE THE TAILPIPE SINCE I'M NOT SURE IF BUMPY ROADS CAN CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN. *JS

NHTSA ID
10609035
Incident
Jun 17, 2014
Mileage
33,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 21, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH WHEN BLUE FLAMES AND BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE PLASTIC REAR BUMPER CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE REAR BUMPER AND CONFIRMED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A HANGER IN THE MUFFLER THAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE BUMPER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,200. ....UPDATED 10/11/12 *BF UPDATED 10/15/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID
10471732
Incident
Aug 9, 2012
Mileage
4,200 mi
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Dec 18, 2011

I CALLED KOON JEEP SALES REP, TO INFORM HIM OF THE LEAK THROUGH THE DOME LIGHT, WANTED KNOW IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT! MY JEEP CORPORATE CASE #[XXX], I INFORMED MY JEEP CUSTOMER CARE THAT I WANT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, HE SAID I DIDN'T MEET THE REQUIREMENT, REFERED ME TO BBB AND ATTORNEY STATE GENERAL. THE SUGGESTED PROCESS THROUGH ATTORNEY STATE GENERAL IS TO WRITE A CERTIFIED LETTER WITH SIGNATURE REQUIRED. I CALLED CORPORATE ASKING FOR MAILING ADDRESS, IT COULD NOT BE PROVIDED DUE TO THE DEPARTMENT HANDLING MY CASE WAS CLOSE AND TO CALL BACK MON. 19TH DEC. 2011 I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE, THE DRAIN PLUG WAS PINCHED! ASKED IF THE HOOD OF CAR REPLACED, ELECTRICAL WIRING INSPECTED AND ELECTRONICS, OK? DEALER CUSTOMER CARE REP,[XXX], SAID YES, THE GPS IS GARBLED SPEECH AND THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE PULLING OFF AND PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING AT THIS POINT I'M SEARCHING FOR LEGAL COUNSEL! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10440302
Incident
Dec 7, 2011
Mileage
1,300 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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .