10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,079 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 1 of 6)

problem #113

Mar 192023

Patriot

  • 116,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled again. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was undrivable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #112

Dec 012022

Patriot

  • miles
I cannot put gas in my car, continuously shuts off and spits fuel back out like its full. It takes about 20 minutes to get enough gas in it to feel like I can drive a little distance without worrying I will run out since It always acts as if its full. It also seems as if it wants to stall out at times and I just give it more gas. I have had this car for a few months now and Im scared its going to stall and cause an accident. Having a difficult time with getting someone to work on it, codes will not diagnose. After reading I saw this had recalls in the past. Should this car have been recalled?

- Duncannon, PA, USA

problem #111

Oct 192022

Patriot

  • miles
Intake manifold flow valve was replaced and so was the manifold. One month later my vehicle threw an engine light for code p2015 for the same issue. I then replace the valve again three days after thinking it was a faulty part and almost a week last same code with the engine light. It give very bad idling and with jump the rpm to almost 4k before the vehicle even moves. Needless to say pulling out in traffic would be impossible unless I was to be hit by multiple vehicles.

- Sebring , FL, USA

problem #110

Oct 142021

Patriot

  • miles

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

The catalytic converter failed. It had to be replaced.

- Canajoharie , NY, USA

problem #109

May 292022

Patriot

  • miles
Ah- yes, The absolute most weirdest thing about this jeep. When putting the recommended 87 gas in the tank, it loses acceleration power. The manual that came with it (which i cant seem to find) stated 85. Did I think THAT was weird? Yes! It's a truck, kinda heavy, but it is a 4 cylinder- so ok jeep. That manual, however, was not very thorough, so I purchased one. That one stated 87. Put 87 in it. Nope. Boomerang only takes 85. When 87 is put in, it loses acceleration power and won't go above 35 mph. The issue always seemed to resolve on its own. Not sure why, and I didn't put much thought into it. Every now and then I would try 87, same thing happened. This happened about 4 or 5 times under my ownership. I mentioned this several times at regular maintenance and oil changes. No one had much to say about it other than that was weird. Agreed. Aside from the issues mentioned in complaints 11466577 11466544 11466583 It ran fine. I never considered it as disrupting my driving needs. I'm pretty much a city driver. Jobs close by. Groceries. Some trips out of town and to the mountains. Never towed anything on it. So now, thinking back to when I fixed the engine throttle and was told that would be a recurring theme because it's a patriot- ok, something's bound to happen, it's almost a ten year old car (at the time). The jeep gave me something to tinker on- no biggie. But not a whole blown engine at 104k, that's for sure. And the combined issues started nagging at me. But it was after covid happened, I was driving considerably less, and that concern quickly subsided. 3-4 months later, fixed oil pan gasket. 2-3 months after that, engine blew. Lastly, unless I remember something else- over the years I've seen numerous jeep patriots on the side of the highway (looked like about the same year, make model)- and I always wondered what kind of issues they had. My engine never literally stalled out until last year. Weird? Yes.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #108

May 292022

Patriot

  • miles
Ah... yes. And the most absolute weirdest thing of all about this jeep- The manual that came with the jeep (which i cant seem to find) stated 85 gas is recommended. Did I think THAT was weird" YES! It's a truck. Kinda heavy... didn't expect 85 gas. But it's a 4cylinder, so ok. That manual was also not very thorough, for lack of a better term, so I purchased one. That manual stated 87. Put 87 in it. The jeep lost acceleration power. Couldn't get above 35mph. Boomerang only takes 85. Weird. Didn't put too much thought into it. If I remember correctly, this issue always resolved on its own somehow. Not sure why. Anyhow. That has happened about 4 or 5 times under my ownership. Every now and again, after regular maintenance, I would kind of check it, to see. On several occasions, when i took it in for regular oil changes, i'd mention that issue, no one had anything to say about it. Other than it was weird. Agreed. Aside from the issues mentioned in complaints 11466583 11466544 11466577 It ran fine. I never considered those issues as disrupting my driving needs. I'm pretty much a city driver. Jobs were close by. Groceries. Occasional mountain and hiking trips- drives out of town, never towed anything. Thinking back to when I fixed my engine throttle and was told that would probably be a recurring theme, bc it's a patriot, that whole gas thing really started nagging at me. Ok, jeep gave me something to tinker on. No biggie. It's almost a 10 year old car. Something's bound to happen. Uh- but not a whole blown engine, that's for sure. This was, however, within the first year of covid, and i was driving considerably less, so that concern subsided. 3-4 months later, fixed oil pan gasket. 2-3 months after that, engine blew. Lastly, unless I remember something else- Over the years I've seen numerous patriots on the side of the highway and wondered what kinds of issues they had. Weird" Yes. My engine literally never stalled out until last year. I must've been something right.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #107

May 292022

Patriot

  • miles

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

Along with complaints 11466544 11466577 I want to add that I bought this car in November 2015. The engine blew in May 2021 with 104k miles. Not at all what would expect from a 2010+ model vehicle. And another thing.... I'm used to needing more regular tune ups. So, once a year -ish... I'd take the jeep in for spark plug replacement, etc. Well, when I switched to the other brkes plus closer to my home, the tech told me that's not required for this jeep. We actually kind of got into it. But, we're able to amicably come to agreement. Anyways, the other brakes plus did so without argument, at least twice. After me and dude from brakes plus had our Lil tiff... I reevaluated my owners manual, and confirmed the spark plug thing. He was right. But one thing I always found odd... was that transmission fluid replacement was not recommended untilb130,000. Did I find that odd"? YES! Because I've was an oil tech at one point in my life. BUT! If that's what the manual says... who am i to argue with that? I mention this because that was one of the things I saw when perusing over recalls, etc. A reviewer recommended to not wait until the manual's recommendation. Who was this person? IDK. Is this accurate? The 130k thing? Because when I got into my "argument" at brakes plus, my exact verbiage was I'm here for a tune up, I'm here to get done whatever needs to get done on this car. If manufacturer information is incorrect, that's a problem. I've had 2 cars repossessed. It was extremely important to me to maintain this vehicle and pay it off. I do have a little bit of a fondness for working on engines. No, I have not done anything to this engine myself. I know this isn't some top of a model line car, but it seemed like the perfect kind of engine to tinker on someday. But not at 104,000 miles. Not on a well maintained vehicle. I would also think that if the manual recommends 120000k trannie fluid replacement for the first time that the engine would last at least until then" Lol.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #106

May 292022

Patriot

  • miles
I submitted a form yesterday and forgot to mention that there have been a few other odd things about the jeep which I'm not sure how to explain. 1. There has, since day 1 of my purchase, test drive, etc, always been some weird whistling sound when driving. Very light, like the kind of whistle made with just your tongue at the roof of the mouth. Not a "full" whistle sound. 2. When going uphill, the engine squeals. And honestly has poor acceleration uphill in general. Very poor. But I thought it was how this make and model is. 4 cylinders aren't known for their awesome power and speed, after all. 3. Occasionally, the jeep "tugs"? Seemingly like how manuals switch between gears, but mine is an automatic. It does so unprovoked, not by my using the cvt option, randomly, at any speed. 4. Occasionally there would be a "dropping" kind of sound. Can't remember any particular details about that, but I think it may have happened more in the summer months. Again. All of these things, other than the last, had always been happening. I attributed it to make and model idiosyncrasies. I have noticed other recall issues listed with this jeep that I glanced over, did not read them. Just so you know. But, after my engine went out, it made me reconsider all of these "odd" things that are probably connected. Oh yeah... Also... 5. I had to replace my engine throttle, supposedly brakes plus says it's also "normal" for this model. 6. My engine blew very shortly after an oil pan gasket fix, which I put off for a while. Makes me think there's a pressure problem with the engine in general, when combined with the other "symptoms", on hindsight. Like I said, I was an oil tech for Jiffy Lube, i am not a mechanic. But this experience may have taught me a thing or two about suspicious auto mechanisms.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #105

May 282022

Patriot

  • miles
Something is wrong with the engine. I was told the engine is blown. I've maintained my vehicle and completed recommended repairs by Brakes Plus. I'd like to mention that as a former lube tech for Jiffy Lube, I am familiar with oil top offs. Naturally, I periodically checked my dip stick to confirm oil levels. It ALWAYS read at an acceptable level. Did I think it was weird? No, because I'm not a mechanic. I just thought that's how Jeeps are. Go Jeep! I'm a fan... well, my engine blew. Took it to Brakes Plus, l (towed), after a few check ups (towed each time)asked the techs how much oil was in the tank. Was told 2 quarts. I'm thinking that should have been reflected somehow on the dipstick. It wudnt. Since my car's been dead, thought I'd "experiment" with the oil readings. I have NOT driven the jeep. Anyhow, put a quart in- low and behold... it reads WAY above the max fill marker. As far as I know, there's only about 3 quarts in there. Also, my engine always had this 'tick'. Again, did not find it weird, thought that's how Jeeps are. Noticed it on day one, asked the salesman, he stated that's normal for the patriot. After this issue happened, I've found several YouTube videos with explanations of valve cover adjustments being needed, cheap fix, supposedly. I've been quoted 4000-9000 for engine replacement. The valve adjustment thing.. I don't know, maybe they have selective hearing, or 4-9k sounds better, cuz no one has even acknowledged that I mentioned that, or cared to confirm. Regardless, the dipstick is wrong. Seems pretty important. Especially if my engine is, in fact, blown.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #104

Nov 012021

Patriot

  • miles
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK VALVE WOULD CLOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REFUELED. BEAVER COUNTY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (2761 CONSTITUTION BLVD, BEAVER FALLS, PA 15010) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED A FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V142000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199073 also another time TL* my 2012 JEEP PATRIOT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLEd THE THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TONHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V120000. CAR STALLS AT EVERY STOP. WHILE DRIVING HIGH WAY SPEEDS FOR A FEW MINUTES IT DROPS DOWN IN SPEED CAUSING YOU CLOSE CALL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE IT IS VERY SUDDEN. IF I DRIVE THE JEEP AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP REGARDLESS IF AT STOP SIGN RED LIGHT OR BEHIND TRAFFIC THE CAR WILL TURN OFF HAVING ME TO TURN THE KEY IN OFF POSITION AND PUT IT IN PARK TO START IT AGAIN. IF I AM ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING I CAN BE GOING 45 MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE JEEP STARTS DECLINING IN ITS ACCELERATION AND WILL NOT GO ABOVE 10MPH. ALSO WHEN INITIALLY STARTING UP IF I HAVE TO BACK UP IT TURNS OFF WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF BACKING UP. THIS ISSUE IS BEEN KNOWN TO HAPPEN TO A FEW PEOPLE WHO I KNOW THAT OWN THE SAME EXACT JEEP OR THE 2012 MODEL. ALSO HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND ONLY THING THAT POPS UP IS A CODE FOR THE GAS CAP WHICH I HAVE REPLACED AND STILL POPS THE CODE FOR

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #103

Nov 022020

Patriot

  • 146,000 miles

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

When I turn my blinkers on left or right blinker, the windshield wipers come on. Not every time, but at least once a day.catalytic converter emissions will not pas inspections. This car is not that old and have read many people complaining about the catalytic converter not passing inspection because of emissions. My car will not pass inspection and was told they were recalling Jeep Patriots.

- Broadalbin, NY, USA

problem #102

Feb 092021

Patriot

  • 100,000 miles
The exhaust manifold has multiple cracks on it and some are around actual welds. This caused a permanent catalyst failure. It caused a loss in power and the vehicle would surge at times during acceleration.

- Noblesville, IN, USA

problem #101

Feb 062020

Patriot

  • miles
Car stalls at every stop. While driving high way speeds for a few minutes it drops down in speed causing you close call accidents because it is very sudden. If I drive the Jeep and come to a complete stop regardless if at stop sign red light or behind traffic the car will turn off having me to turn the key in off position and put it in park to start it again. If I am on the highway driving I can be going 45 mph and all of sudden the Jeep starts declining in its acceleration and will not go above 10mph. Also when initially starting up if I have to back up it turns off while in the middle of backing up. This issue is been known to happen to a few people who I know that own the same exact Jeep or the 2013 model. Also have had it checked out and only thing that pops up is a code for the gas cap which I have replaced and still pops the code for

- Unionville, TN, USA

problem #100

Jan 012020

Patriot

  • 130,000 miles
When in idle at a traffic light, the Jeep engine shut off randomly with a beeping alarm and red flashing bolt on the dash, required me to turn the key to the off position and restart the car, this has also happened once while vehicle was in motion. Battery is new and both the battery and alternator tested good. When accelerating, braking, or steering, the cabin lights, headlights and dash/radio dim or brighten often slight flickering and some times the interior roof cab lights randomly turn on while driving even when no door is ajar and dimmer switch is turned down or completely off. Appears there is some sort of electrical short or power draw issue. The rear drum breaks continuously squeal, leak and leave rust residue corroding the rims even though I've had them maintained and changed by certified Goodyear mechanics

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #99

Feb 282020

Patriot

  • 157,177 miles
While driving my engine randomly shuts off and my wheel locks. After it does so the car won't start back up. When it finally does and I get the car into park, the car shuts back off and it repeatedly does so until it won't start at all and I have to wait 15-39 minutes for it to start up and drive normal. This happens more than 5 or 10 mines on a daily basis. It happens on highways, city streets, it even shuts off when I'm not in motion. It doesn't matter what speed I'm going or if I'm increasing or decreasing my speed. It shuts off when ever and where ever.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #98

Oct 102019

Patriot

  • 153,457 miles
While driving or in a parked position while the engine runs, the RPM needle drops to zero 0 and my car doesn't accelerate when pressing the gas pedal. There are times I am on the highway and RPM drops to zero 0 and I have to pull over on the shoulders. I would have to put the car in park, and shut my car off for extra minutes or more before I can fully restart it. If I try turning the car on before the 2 minutes it would take a longer time to restart. This is very dangerous because the car shut off when I'm at the stop light, in the middle of the highway. When making a turn, and the RPM needle drops to zero 0, my steering wheel becomes so stiff/harden and is very very difficult to complete the turn.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

problem #97

Aug 012019

Patriot

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact pulled over and the vehicle resumed normal operation once it was restarted. The contact's friend used a code detector that determined that the throttle was defective. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 13V120000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Cynthiana, KY, USA

problem #96

Sep 062019

Patriot

  • 80,635 miles
My son is driving on the freeway at 70mph during the summer and all of a sudden, his car literally decelerates. He goes from 70mph to 20mph immediately. This has happened 3 times this summer, 4 times last summer (I have posted before), and multiple times in 2017 (everytime he comes home from college in the summer!). this last time it happened at the beginning of this month (Sept), he was almost rear-ended and then almost sideswiped. The dealerships can't duplicate this problem (he's been to two different dealerships), but Jeep knows there is an issue (there are numerous complaints). The car shows no signs of overheating and gives no notice that there is a problem. Once he has sat along the side of the freeway for 1/2 to 1 hour, he can start his car and drive again. When is Jeep going to recognize there is an issue? we have paid to have transmission fluid changed - didn't help. I see that a dealership elsewhere with someone else who had had the same problem figured it out and said that it was the internal oil pump of the transmission that was malfunctioning and causing the overheats. My car is still under warranty and I need to get this fixed before it isn't in December. Please help. Jeep isn't doing anything.

- Chester, CA, USA

problem #95

Sep 152019

Patriot

  • 64,500 miles
Car wouldn't start one month ago. It wouldn't even turn after 3 attempts. After 10 minutes it started right up and had been normal. Today, 9/15/19, my car started up fine but 2 minutes into driving at 20mph my car lost all power. I was driving through my work parking lot driving in a forward motion. Several lights lit up in my dashboard prior to losing power. I was fortunate enough to not be on the freeway. I put my car in brake and restarted it. It started right up, but now has check engine light displayed. My battery is a few months old. I've tested it and it's charged. I'm afraid to drive my car and consider it not in a drivable state. If my car were to die on the freeway that would be a very dangerous situation. Car defect that caused this is unknown..

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #94

Aug 272019

Patriot

  • 17,500 miles
My car stalled after being parked for 45 min. In a parking lot of a local store, as I attempted to back out of the space. I restarted it and as I tried to back out, while moving only a foot or so, it stalled again. It made no sound at all while turning the key, but all the electronics worked, ie. Lights, windows, radio, etc. It would not restart, after multiple attempts, I left it there over night and the next day it restarted, and I drove it for about a couple of minutes to the end of the lot where it stalled again while moving about 5 mph. It would not restart, so I had it towed to a shop where a friend works. They could not find the cause, but did get a code for the ECU/ECM. I don't know what number the error code was, but they don't do those types of repairs. It remains in their lot at this time as I try to figure out my next step. It is a Jeep Patriot sport (2.4 L) automatic with only 17,500 actual miles.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

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