YearToAvoid

2016 Jeep Patriot Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2016 Jeep Patriot has 458 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 86, ranking 2nd worst of 8 model years. Engine problems dominate at 58% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 58,000 miles, making this year an Avoid relative to other Patriot years.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
90/100
#2 of 11 Patriot years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
458
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
24
reported in complaints
Fires
8
Injuries
19
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
20 city / 25 hwy
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0

Top 2016 Jeep Patriot problems

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

  1. Engine265 (58%)
  2. Electrical System99 (22%)
  3. Other75 (16%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain74 (16%)
  5. Brakes43 (9%)
  6. Fuel System43 (9%)
  7. Airbags33 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body32 (7%)
  9. Steering24 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (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 reportedly failed to deploy in frontal and side impacts, sometimes with the vehicle sustaining full-impact damage.
  • Some owners describe sudden, hard pulling or jerking of the steering that caused loss of control at low speeds.
  • Electrical systems reportedly failed intermittently, with windshield wipers, air conditioning, and headlights turning on or off on their own and the vehicle stalling while driving.
  • Owners report brakes and electronic systems losing power suddenly, including full loss of dashboard lights and vehicle lighting while driving.
  • Fires were reported originating near the battery or under the hood, in some cases while the vehicle was stationary or shortly after driving.
  • Some owners describe the vehicle moving on its own while parking despite the brake pedal being depressed, resulting in low-speed collisions.
2016 Jeep Patriot complaints: complaints filed per quarter282015 Q42017 Q22018 Q42020 Q22021 Q42023 Q22024 Q42026 Q2
458 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (28).

2016 Jeep Patriot recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V907000Dec 16, 2016Engine42,231 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.

    Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.

2016 Jeep Patriot fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
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.

2016 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
2014Avoid100548223
2015Avoid80315123
2016Avoid90458122
2017Best1059022

All Jeep Patriot years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Jeep Patriot reliable?
Relative to other Patriot model years, the 2016 ranks 2nd worst out of 8 years tracked, with a complaint index of 86 and 458 NHTSA complaints. Engine problems make up 58% of those complaints.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 265 complaints (58% of the total), with a median failure mileage of 58,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Jeep Patriot have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 16V907000) covers a crankshaft or camshaft sensor that may work intermittently. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
Should I avoid the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
Compared to other Patriot years, 2016 is labeled Avoid, ranking 2nd worst of 8 years with a complaint index of 86, well above years like 2013 (index 14) and 2017 (index 0).
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA lists 458 complaints for the 2016 Jeep Patriot, including 24 crashes, 8 fires, and 19 injuries.

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.