YearToAvoid

2013 Jeep Patriot Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

14/100

#7 most-complained of 8 Patriot years

The 2013 Jeep Patriot ranks 7th out of 8 model years with a complaint index of 14 and a Best verdict. It has 120 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive recalls, making it one of the stronger years for the Patriot.

Complaints
120
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
5 / 2
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy

Top 2013 Jeep Patriot problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags33 (28%)
  2. Engine31 (26%)
  3. Seat Belts23 (19%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain19 (16%)
  5. Brakes13 (11%)
  6. Other13 (11%)
  7. Electrical System12 (10%)
  8. Fuel System9 (8%)
  9. Structure & Body9 (8%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy or deployed upward instead of outward during low-speed crashes, sometimes leaving occupants only protected by the seat belt.
  • Owners tied to the Takata recall reported airbags not deploying in front-driver-side collisions around 30-35 mph.
  • The engine stalled without warning while driving around 40 mph, with no dashboard warning beforehand.
  • Some owners reported the vehicle losing power and dropping to a much lower speed after prolonged highway driving, feeling similar to running out of fuel.
  • A rear passenger side window short-circuited and produced smoke, requiring the vehicle to be pulled over and the fire department called.
  • One owner reported flames coming from the rear hatch area while driving on the interstate.
2013 Jeep Patriot complaints: complaints filed per quarter202013 Q12014 Q32015 Q42017 Q12018 Q22019 Q32020 Q42024 Q4
171 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2025 Q3; peak 2017 Q1 (20).

2013 Jeep Patriot recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

2013 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.

2013 compared with other Patriot years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Caution57326424
2012Good43354424
2013Best14120124
2014Avoid100548224
2015Caution71315124

All Jeep Patriot years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Jeep Patriot reliable?
Among Patriot model years, 2013 ranks 7th out of 8 for reported problems, with a complaint index of 14 and a Best verdict relative to other years.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA complaints show Airbags as the top problem area (33 complaints, 28% share), followed by Engine (31 complaints, 26%) and Seat Belts (23 complaints, 19%).
Does the 2013 Jeep Patriot have a recall?
Yes, one recall (campaign 16V668000) covers the Occupant Restraint Control airbag system; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2013 Patriot compare to other years like 2014?
The 2014 Jeep Patriot has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, much worse than the 2013 model's index of 14 and Best verdict.
At what mileage do 2013 Patriot airbag problems typically show up?
NHTSA data lists a median mileage of 58,500 miles for airbag-related complaints on the 2013 Jeep Patriot.

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.