YearToAvoid

2013 Jeep Patriot Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2013 Jeep Patriot has a complaint index of 20, ranking 9th out of 11 model years, and earns a Best verdict. It has 120 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Airbags the top problem area.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
20/100
#9 of 11 Patriot years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
120
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
5
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2013 Jeep Patriot problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

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

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy or deployed incorrectly during low-speed crashes, sometimes with the driver airbag firing upward instead of outward.
  • Engine stalled without warning at highway speed or while climbing hills, in some cases tied to low fuel levels around a quarter tank.
  • Vehicle lost power and dropped to 20-30 mph after overheating during extended highway driving.
  • Rear passenger window wiring short-circuited and produced smoke inside the cabin.
  • Fire broke out near the rear hatch area while driving at highway speed.
  • Fuel system symptoms mimicked running out of gas, including near-stalling and a full stall in traffic.
2013 Jeep Patriot complaints: complaints filed per quarter132013 Q12014 Q32015 Q42017 Q12018 Q22019 Q32020 Q42024 Q4
120 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2025 Q3; peak 2017 Q1 (13).

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)025507510020072008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Caution70326424
2012Caution60354424
2013Best20120124
2014Avoid100548223
2015Avoid80315123

All Jeep Patriot years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Jeep Patriot reliable?
Among Patriot model years, the 2013 ranks 9th out of 11 with a complaint index of 20, which earns it a Best verdict relative to other Patriot years.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 Jeep Patriot?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 33 of 120 complaints (28%), including 5 crashes linked to this category.
Does the 2013 Jeep Patriot have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 16V668000, covering an airbag Occupant Restraint Control issue; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2013 Patriot?
Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 50,000 miles, with airbag complaints centered around 58,500 miles and transmission complaints around 67,012 miles.
How does the 2013 Patriot compare to other years like 2014 or 2011?
The 2013 has a much lower complaint index (20) than the 2014 (100, Avoid) and 2011 (70, Caution), making 2013 one of the better Patriot years.

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.