We have identified five Jeep Patriot years that you should avoid. Check out which ones (and why you should steer clear of them) you should avoid when shopping for a used Jeep.
In addition to the classic Jeep Wrangler, Jeep has produced some of the most iconic American vehicles. Some Jeep models haven’t been a hit, such as the Patriot, which has been discontinued.
Though the Jeep Patriot SUV was well liked, it wasn’t the best-selling model Jeep had envisioned. The Patriot was therefore no longer produced by Jeep. Used Jeep Patriots are your best bet if you’re interested in buying one.
In today’s article, we’ll list some of the most dangerous Jeep Patriot years and which models to avoid.
Which Jeep Patriot Years to Avoid?
Buying a Patriot used will require quite some selection, since there were only 11 iterations. There are a few Jeep Patriot years you should avoid:
- 2008 Jeep Patriot
- 2009 Jeep Patriot
- 2011 Jeep Patriot
- 2012 Jeep Patriot
- 2015 Jeep Patriot
2008 Jeep Patriot
Jeep’s second effort, the Patriot, did not come without its share of problems. The 2008 Patriot has been subjected to 436 NHTSA complaints, ranging from leaks in the sunroof to transmission failures, according to Car Complaints.
The Patriot’s leaky sunroof is one of the most frequently complained about features. There are numerous reports that state that the Patriot’s sunroof leaks water. It has been reported that leaks flowed through the dash and radio in some cases, which resulted in the headlights being shorted. Rain had become a problem for some owners to the point that they couldn’t drive their vehicles whenever it rained.
In addition to transmission failure, other problems with the 2008 Patriot should also be kept in mind. It has been reported by several Jeep owners that the transmission of their Jeep simply failed around 100k miles.
2009 Jeep Patriot
It’s that time of year again when the Jeep Patriot gets into trouble again. According to Car Complaints, the 2009 Jeep Patriot has received 382 complaints from the NHTSA and has been recalled once.
There has been a lot of owner complaints about whiny noises coming from the transmission this time. When a Jeep was decelerating slowly, a user reported hearing a high-pitched noise out of the transmission. Transmissions under warranty will be replaced completely. For the repairs, you’ll need to pay $2,730.
As with the 2008 Patriot, the 2009 Patriot has a leaky sunroof as well. In addition to causing mold and electrical problems, water leaks will eventually worsen the situation.
2011 Jeep Patriot
In addition, the 2011 Jeep Patriot is one of the worst years to avoid. There are new problems such as overheating transmission, as well as the dreaded water leak.
Among the most serious problems with the 2011 Patriot is overheating of the transmission. It is not unusual for owners to notice an engine whine around 70k miles before seeing their transmission temperature light illuminate. CVT transmissions tend to suffer from this particular issue.
It has been reported that the 2011 Patriot still has a leaky sunroof. It would be worse if there were water leaks on the roof and things like the dome light and radio would be damaged.
2012 Jeep Patriot
The Jeep Patriot had a much better year the following year. It is still subject to a number of reliability problems, which should concern shoppers.
Among the most pressing problems with the 2012 Patriot is its faulty CVT transmission. A whining noise was reported as the first symptom of this problem, followed by difficulty accelerating, and an overheating warning. It costs around $3,940 to repair one of these devices. CVT transmissions seem to suffer from this problem once again on the Patriot.
Another problem with the 2012 Patriot is that its integrated power modules (TIPM) are prone to malfunction. If the TIPM is broken, there can be a variety of problems, including headlights that turn on or off, power windows that are faulty, blinkers that don’t work, and more. TIPM replacement costs about $900 on average.
2015 Jeep Patriot
Jeep Patriot 2015 receives the dishonorable designation of being the worst model year in Jeep Patriot history according to Car Complaints. The vehicle comes with several familiar problems, such as a TIPM failure and a water leak, along with a new stalling engine.
There have been a lot of owner complaints about the stalling engine in the 2015 Patriot. There were many claims that the engine just stalled in the middle of a drive – no check engine light, no warning whatsoever. There is no doubt that this is a major safety issue, particularly when driving on highways or freeways.
Almost all of the water leaks into the interior at this point. In spite of the lack of recalls, many owners believe that the problem is due to a design flaw.
2016 Jeep Patriot
There are a few issues with the 2016 Jeep Patriot, but it’s not the most problematic SUV out there, so its inclusion on this list is justified. CarComplaints.com lists three of the most common problems with this model, including water leaks, failure to accelerate, and squeaking brakes. In spite of the fact that these issues aren’t as serious as the ones on the other side of this list, many complainants still find them quite annoying.
In addition, the 2016 Patriot is also susceptible to premature CVT transmission failures, which are also present on many other Patriot models. It was reported that people heard whining noises, saw overheat warnings, and were unable to accelerate due to the problem. In the 2016 model, a five-speed manual gearbox is standard, though an automatic transmission is available in different trim levels. If you have the Freedom Drive II off-road package, there will only be a CVT issue to be aware of.
Read: Best Subaru Forester Model Years For Reliability
Read: Here Are The Jeep Cherokee Years to Avoid
Read: Best And Worst Jeep XJ Years
Read: Here Are The Dodge RAM 1500 Years To Avoid
Read: Here Are The Jeep Wrangler Years To Avoid
Read: Here Are The Dodge Durango Years To Avoid
Read: Here Are The Ford Edge Years To Avoid
Which Jeep Patriot Years are Safe to Buy Used?
After the Jeep Patriot years to avoid have been covered, let’s take a look at some of the used Jeep Patriots that are safe to buy.
2007 Jeep Patriot
It has succeeded in carving a little niche for itself with the 2007 Jeep Patriot. If you’re looking for a used model with decent off-road ability and a low starting price, the 2007 Patriot is a great choice. Many reliability issues are present, such as stalling and control arm failures. Even so, they don’t compare to the problematic years mentioned above.
2017 Jeep Patriot
It is possible the Jeep Patriot was at its best in 2017 – the last model of the Patriot before its unfortunate discontinuation. Despite a couple of problems with the 2016 model, Jeep’s 2017 lineup is still one of the best in terms of features, reliability scores (76 consumer rating from J.D. Power), and safety scores.
Despite some predictable reliability concerns like the leaky sunroof in the 2017 model, they’re not as severe and fewer and farther between as in previous years.
Are Jeep Patriots Generally Reliable?
The best way to save money and keep your car for a long time is to pick a reliable choice. No matter what year you select, a Patriot that isn’t reliable across the board won’t make a difference. We’ll take a look at some Jeep Patriot reviews.
In terms of reliability, the Jeep Patriot doesn’t fare well. The Jeep Patriot scores 40 on withclutch.com, which does not indicate a high level of reliability. In terms of Jeep reliability across the board, it has the lowest rating.
A second opinion on the reliability of a vehicle is also a good idea. Jeep Patriot scores ⅘ out of 26 on repairpal.com, placing it 15th among subcompact vehicles. In spite of the fact that it’s not the worst, it also isn’t among the best.
In comparison with other subcompact cars, the Jeep Patriot costs $596 annually for repairs. An unexpected repair is 12% more likely to be severe – 1% more than the average for similar vehicles.
It is reported that Jeep Patriot owners visit the repair shop on average .3 times a year, the average for subcompact cars as well. There is no doubt that the Jeep Patriot is not the best car when it comes to reliability, but it isn’t the worst either.
Common Jeep Patriot Problems
A reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 is given by RepairPal to the Jeep Patriot. Ranking 15th out of 26 compact SUVs, it comes in third place. There were still some glaring problems with the Patriot, in spite of its above-average reliability score:
Premature CVT failure
An important component of the Patriot is its continuously variable transmission. In addition to acceleration issues, drivers reported overheating warnings and whining noises during the test. Poorly designed CVTs were cited as a complaint by Patriot customers.
Water leaking into the cabin
There have been many reports of leaky cabins on Patriot models. There have been reports that water entered the vehicle through the sunroof and through the dome light. As a result, mold growth and electrical problems become more likely.
Stalling engine
In the Patriot lineup, stalling engines are one of the biggest complaints. A number of reports claim that the engine stalled and died after 30k miles or so. There are several common fixes, such as replacing the crankshaft sensor or ABS module, which may cost you up to $660.
Rough manual shifting
There were known issues with the Patriots’ manual transmission from 2007 to 2010, but it doesn’t compare to the CVT. When shifting into third gear, owners reported feeling vibrations and hearing grinding noises. Shifting from first to second gear caused some people to experience the same roughness. A transmission synchronizer ring replacement is claimed to fix the problem.
Read: Here Are The Hyundai Elantra Years To Avoid
Read: The Toyota Sienna’s Best And Worst Model Years
Read: Best & Worst Acura MDX Years
Read: Best & Worst Honda Pilot Years
Read: Here Are The Honda CR-V Years To Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions: Jeep Patriot Years to Avoid
Which Jeep Patriot years are most problematic?
Jeep Patriot years 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015 were the most problematic, as mentioned in the guide. Transmission failure, leaky sunroofs, and electrical issues are known problems with these models.
Should I avoid buying a used Jeep Patriot?
No, not always. There are some Jeep Patriot years known for their problems, and there are others known for their reliability. When considering the purchase of a used Jeep Patriot, a pre-purchase inspection is essential.
How much does repairing a leaking sunroof in a Jeep Patriot cost?
In a Jeep Patriot, the cost of repairing a leaky sunroof can vary depending on the severity of the leak and the model year. There is, however, a range of prices for repairs ranging from hundreds to over $1,000.
What are some alternatives to the Jeep Patriot?
You have several options to choose from if you want a small SUV with a reputation for reliability. Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4 are among the most popular options.
Are Jeep Patriots typically reliable?
It was the budget model for Jeep (along with the Jeep Compass) from 2007 to 2017. There are a lot of complaints about the build quality of this model. Moreover, there have been reports of electrical problems and transmission problems with certain model years. If you’re buying a Jeep Patriot, you’ll want to find out what years you should avoid. Make sure that any vehicle you are considering is inspected by a mechanic before you make a decision.
How much does a used Jeep Patriot typically cost?
Older Jeep Patriots with 150,000 miles will cost about $3,000, whereas newer versions with fewer miles can cost up to $18,000. The Jeep crossover remains popular, despite not being the most robust Jeep ever produced. A typical 2015 Jeep Patriot has a selling price of $12,897, according to CoPilot Price Pulse. As a result of inflated market conditions, it’s 28% higher than it would have otherwise been.
Is the Jeep Patriot a good car to purchase?
A Jeep Patriot (along with a Jeep Compass) is the company’s entry-level vehicle. This vehicle shares parts with other Chrysler family vehicles, such as the Dodge Caliber. As a result, this isn’t your typical rugged Jeep (although it bears a “Trail-Rated” badge). Imagine a suburban crossover rather than a backwoods SUV when you think of the Patriot. Depending on what model years you’d like to avoid and what uses you’d like to accomplish, the Patriot might meet your needs.
