Which Jeep Patriot years should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2014 and 2016 Patriot are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 86, the highest in the lineup.

What is the best year for the Jeep Patriot?

The 2013 and 2017 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 14 and 0 and the fewest complaints relative to other years, 120 and 59 respectively.

What is the most common problem with the Jeep Patriot?

Across all years, engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 874 complaints, or 38 percent of the 2,316 total complaints filed with NHTSA.

Does the 2014 Jeep Patriot have recalls?

Yes, the 2014 Patriot has two recall campaigns, one for a faulty airbag occupant restraint control unit and one for an engine balance shaft module with abrasive debris.

Are 2011 and 2015 Jeep Patriots safe to buy?

They carry a Caution verdict, with complaint indexes of 57 and 71, higher than the best years but well below the 2014 and 2016 Avoid years.

Jeep Patriot Best and Worst Years (2010–2017)

Avoid the 2014 and 2016 Jeep Patriot, which have complaint indexes of 100 and 86, the two highest of the lineup. The 2013 and 2017 model years score best, with indexes of 14 and 0 respectively. NHTSA logged 2,316 total complaints across 2010-2017.

Avoid 2014 Avoid 2016 Best 2013 Best 2017

Model years: 8; 2010–2017
NHTSA complaints: 2,316
Recall campaigns: 9
Crashes reported: 117
Fires reported: 35
Top problem area: Engine

Patriot Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Jeep Patriot problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Good	29	136	7	3	2	Fuel System	25	—
2011	Caution	57	326	20	3	4	Engine	24	—
2012	Good	43	354	9	5	4	Engine	24	—
2013	Best	14	120	5	2	1	Airbags	24	4★
2014	Avoid	100	548	31	7	2	Engine	24	4★
2015	Caution	71	315	14	6	1	Engine	24	—
2016	Avoid	86	458	24	8	1	Engine	24	4★
2017	Best	0	59	7	1	0	Transmission & Powertrain	24	4★

Patriot years to avoid: what went wrong

2014 Jeep Patriot Index 100 · 548 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2014 Patriot has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 548 complaints, ranking worst of the eight years covered. Engine problems make up 34 percent of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 59,879. Airbag issues follow at 27 percent, failing at a median of 39,525 miles, and seat belt complaints at 19 percent. NHTSA recorded 31 crashes, 7 fires, 40 injuries, and 2 deaths for this year. Two recalls apply, covering an airbag occupant restraint control issue and an engine balance shaft module problem caused by abrasive debris. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and electrical smoke and fire under the hood.

2014 engine problems →2014 airbags problems →2014 seat belts problems →

2016 Jeep Patriot Index 86 · 458 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2016 Patriot ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 86 and 458 complaints. Engine problems dominate, accounting for 58 percent of complaints with a median failure mileage of 58,000. Electrical system issues follow at 22 percent, failing near 52,840 miles, and transmission and powertrain issues at 16 percent. NHTSA recorded 24 crashes, 8 fires, and 19 injuries for this year, with one recall for an intermittently failing crankshaft or camshaft sensor. Owners reported steering that pulled hard and suddenly, fires originating near the battery, and airbags that failed to inflate during crashes, including Takata-related incidents.

2016 engine problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Jeep Patriot problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine874 (38%)
Electrical System381 (16%)
Airbags369 (16%)
Transmission & Powertrain361 (16%)
Other297 (13%)
Fuel System289 (12%)
Brakes225 (10%)
Seat Belts221 (10%)
Structure & Body210 (9%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires149 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

Which Jeep Patriot years should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2014 and 2016 Patriot are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 86, the highest in the lineup.
What is the best year for the Jeep Patriot?: The 2013 and 2017 model years score best, with complaint indexes of 14 and 0 and the fewest complaints relative to other years, 120 and 59 respectively.
What is the most common problem with the Jeep Patriot?: Across all years, engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 874 complaints, or 38 percent of the 2,316 total complaints filed with NHTSA.
Does the 2014 Jeep Patriot have recalls?: Yes, the 2014 Patriot has two recall campaigns, one for a faulty airbag occupant restraint control unit and one for an engine balance shaft module with abrasive debris.
Are 2011 and 2015 Jeep Patriots safe to buy?: They carry a Caution verdict, with complaint indexes of 57 and 71, higher than the best years but well below the 2014 and 2016 Avoid years.