10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,076 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Jeep Patriot engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Jeep Patriot Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #8

Jun 152014

Patriot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While on the interstate, I was in the fast lane attempting to pass another vehicle when I started to hear this strange noise and I began to lose acceleration and the transmission light with the circle around it came on. It was a very scary thing because I had a car behind me that was very close. I was able to pull over to the shoulder. I pulled out my owners manual to see what was going on. I followed the instructions by putting it in neutral and idling it for a few minutes. It eventually stopped making that noise and the light went out and I started out on my way again. I still had a 2 hour drive left on my trip and I was scared it would happen again before I could get home. I took it to my local Jeep dealership this morning and basically was told there were no sensors lighting up and they couldn't fix the problem if they couldn't replicate it. So I'm left with a car that I can't trust.

- Memphis , TN, USA

problem #7

Jul 252012

Patriot 4WD 4-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
While on the mountainous interstate we lost our acceleration and didn't know why. We were in a dangerous location just beginning to cross a bridge and we pulled off the road as far as we could. We did know that stopping on the bridge was a very dangerous location. At this point I was shaking and very scared. After a few minutes, I put the vehicle in 1st gear, and we actually moved. At this point I was just trying to get us past the bridge to a safer location. But as I went from 1 gear to another, we were slowly gaining momentum, so I kept going. Then June 9, 2014 we lost acceleration while traveling on the interstate again going through mountainous roads in nm. We were able to move slowly till we got to an off ramp and pulled into a gas station. I figured my fluid levels were good due to just having a $300 service performed with oil, etc. 2 weeks prior just before leaving on vacation. I then pulled out the owners manual to see just what that light was for. It was the transmission fluid overheating due to the mountainous terrain we were in. I had never heard of that before, so I called the dealership service area at Jeep in w. bell rd in peoria, AZ. The gentleman I talked to had no good answers for me. Then he mentioned that the certain type of transmission that was in the Jeep Patriot can overheat. We just needed to follow the instructions in the manual and sit in neutral till the temperature dropped. The vehicle loses acceleration as a protection for the transmission so it doesn't overheat and cause damage. Well, then... what about to the occupants that are in the vehicle being suddenly stranded in very unsafe locations.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #6

Jul 072013

Patriot 4-cyl

  • 41,500 miles
Driving downhill on South I-15 through phelan at 4pm approximately 95 degrees outside. Accelerator became non-responsive. Rpms dropped to idle speeds. Vehicle was essentially 'coasting' with the engine running. Unable to accelerate at all. Pumping accelerator was resulting in nothing. Engine temp was not above halfway mark, about 1/3 tank of fuel. No engine warning lights. Changing gears electronically (automatic) not helpful. Was able to make it to off-ramp since I was traveling downhill. Engine promptly died when I came to a complete stop. Upon pulling the key out and re-inserting the electronic throttle control error light illuminated. Engine would not turn over. Attempted to reset computer not helpful. Approximately 45 minutes later (and phone calls for road-side service) etc light went away. Computer reset may have finally taken. Vehicle started with no problem. Drove the final 35 miles home without incident. Could have been a completely different situation had I not been traveling downhill at speed. Have not yet contacted dealer as I am out of new car warranty. Numerous other complaints about issues at speed have me very concerned.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 072013

Patriot 4-cyl

  • 6,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Stopped my 2012 Patriot at a light to turn left. I stepped on gas pedal to accelerate forward but no acceleration/revving occurred. When the pedal was depressed no resistance was felt but rather the pedal went to the floor with no acceleration/revving twice. I repeated this again with no acceleration/revving. On the third attempt the Patriot accelerated forward. The service department said to turn off engine and restart the vehicle to get the electrical system in sync. The vehicle was driven on highway for 30 minutes then 15 city traffic, air temp 38 degrees, pavement dry to wet (melting snow).

- Broadview Hts, OH, USA

problem #4

Feb 022013

Patriot 4-cyl

  • 12,600 miles
While traveling at highway speeds on interstate 5 near bakersfield California, and under cruise control, my 2012 Jeep Patriot stalled and lost power to the tires. At that moment, the check engine, electronic stability control, and electric systems (red lightning bolt) lights all began to flash. I was able to pull off the freeway safely. Being only a few miles from my eventual destination, I attempted to continue to drive the vehicle. I was able to keep the vehicle in gear at very low rpms (sub 2500). At rpms over 2500, however, the engine would misfire and I would experience no acceleration. With the vehicle still partially disabled, I was able to reach my destination. I turned the vehicle off, unloaded my luggage, and then returned to inspect the engine compartment. Seeing that all belt, hose, and cable connections were secure, and all fluids at their proper levels, I restarted the engine and drove the vehicle successfully for about a mile, with no evidence of the recent symptoms. Being that the vehicle is still so new, and well maintained, this particular incident was particularly alarming.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 122012

Patriot

  • 60 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that the vehicle randomly revved up at high speeds and then stalled. The contact stated that no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact mentioned the vehicle was a five speed manual transmission. The manufatcurer was made aware of the failure and decided to send engineers to inspect the vehicle in order to make the assessment of the failure. The failure mileage was 60 and the current mileage was 16,000.pmb

- Boylston, MA, USA

problem #2

Oct 092012

Patriot

  • 2,260 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while entering a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The vehicle drove over the curve and crashed into a tree. The contact sustained injuries to her knee caps and the front passenger sustained bruised ribs. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the electronic throttle body was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 2,260.... updated 12/26/12

- Princeton Junction, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jul 222012

Patriot

  • 3,150 miles
This is the first of 2 incidents I have had with this car. I was coming back into California from Arizona on the 40 West with cruise control on at 75 mph. Without indication, the throttle revved to 4500 RPM and the car lost speed. The engine was unresponsive to the gas pedal. I cancelled cruise control, and from the left lane was able to get over to the right shoulder. When we came to a stop, the engine died. The fuel gauge read just over 1/4 of a tank. The car would not start again. We called roadside assistance and they called a tow truck. The dealership was closed and we had to stay the night in a hotel. The next morning the car was taken to the dealership. The tech found no issues and was able to start the car with no incident. The diagnostic revealed no codes or errors. We were able to drive home the rest of the way. My Jeep is a 4X4 with the trail rated package.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

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