YearToAvoid

2012 Jeep Patriot Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2012 Jeep Patriot has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 5th worst out of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners most often cite engine problems (38% of complaints), followed by fuel system (29%) and transmission (18%), with 4 recalls on file.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
60/100
#5 of 11 Patriot years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
354
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
9
reported in complaints
Fires
5
Injuries
6
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2012 Jeep Patriot problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine133 (38%)
  2. Fuel System102 (29%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain63 (18%)
  4. Airbags57 (16%)
  5. Electrical System47 (13%)
  6. Seat Belts37 (10%)
  7. Other30 (8%)
  8. Brakes18 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (5%)
  10. Structure & Body16 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine stalls suddenly without warning, sometimes while parking or at highway speed, occasionally leading to loss of power steering and brakes.
  • Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed collisions, including head-on and side impacts around 25 to 35 mph.
  • Vehicle hesitates or stalls at low and high speeds, often on inclines, with the issue persisting after repeated dealer visits.
  • Rear plastic bumper melts or catches fire from heat off the exhaust pipe.
  • Transmission keeps engine RPMs high during deceleration and produces a burning clutch smell.
  • Airbag-related wiring harness catches fire after a blown fuse tied to the airbag module recall.
2012 Jeep Patriot complaints: complaints filed per quarter192011 Q42013 Q32015 Q22017 Q12018 Q42020 Q32022 Q32025 Q1
354 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q1 (19).

2012 Jeep Patriot recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V668000Sep 15, 2016Airbags1,435,625 vehicles

    Air bags

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

    Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

  2. NHTSA 13V233000Jun 4, 2013Electrical System254,396 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.

    Risk: In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.

  3. NHTSA 13V120000Apr 3, 2013Fuel System20,799 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles manufactured October 18, 2011, through May 7, 2012. Due to an incorrectly manufactured transfer tube, the transfer of fuel from the secondary side to the primary side of the fuel tank may be interrupted, causing the engine to stall.

    Risk: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank transfer tube free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 30, 2013. Owners were notified by Chrysler on July 19, 2013, that parts are now available. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N17.

See all 4 recalls for the 2012 Jeep Patriot →

2012 Jeep Patriot fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Patriot years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020072008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Good40136225
2011Caution70326424
2012Caution60354424
2013Best20120124
2014Avoid100548223

All Jeep Patriot years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Jeep Patriot reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2012 Patriot a Complaint Index of 60, ranking it 5th worst among 11 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine and fuel system issues account for most of the 354 complaints filed.
What problems does the 2012 Jeep Patriot have?
The top problem area is the engine, making up 38% of complaints, followed by fuel system at 29% and transmission/powertrain at 18%. Median mileage at failure across complaints is 55,000.
Does the 2012 Jeep Patriot have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Patriot covering airbags, electrical software, and two separate fuel tank issues. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Jeep Patriot should I avoid?
Among Patriot years, 2014 has the worst Complaint Index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, along with 2015 and 2016. The 2012 model is rated Caution, better than those years but worse than 2013 and 2017, which are rated Best.
How is fuel economy on the 2012 Jeep Patriot?
EPA rates the 2012 Patriot at 24 mpg combined (22 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.