Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Jeep Patriot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Car stalls after fill up. NUMEROUS online Jeep forums have noted this issue for years. There seems to be an issue with the "vapor canister". Recall was apparently issued for 2011 model - but not older models. It is intermittent yet consistent problem over past few months. Please note that an Engine stall leaves steering wheel LOCKED and unable to maneuver car for a period until can restart. Can leave driver on a VERY DANGEROUS situation traveling at speed !
UNKNOWN After I fill up on gas at different stations I had the car sputter and die after filling up til the nozzle stopped itself went to go start the car the first time it happened I got maybe half a mile down the road and stopped at a light and the car died. The second time I was at another gas station and I forgot to shut the car off because it was freezing cold felt like a negative 10 I went to go leave and thought oh crap let me shut it off for a second so the gas would register faster of what I had then if I left it on. I went to go drive away then and the car wouldn't move I thought great what could it be well I looked down and I wasn't "on" so I restarted the car and I could tell the car started and I sat for a few and it died. I waited a few seconds and started it again and sat for a few and then was able to go about my business. …
Have had my Jeep for 6 years its always stalling I took it to Jeep Chrysler Dodge, Firestone nobody can figure out whats wrong; it actually turns itself off and nobody knows why. This is dangerous this car needs a recall. I have read that 2012 models do this same thing but this one does it too.also the sunroof leaks as well and the rainwater goes into the lights. I would never recommend a Jeep to anybody ever again, these cars are not safe and no one cares about this problem.I have paid to get it looked at but they don't know how to fix it, I have been told it probably needs a system update there is nothing wrong but yet my car turns itself off all the time going down the highway at speeds 65 miles an hour the engine stalls and shuts off the sunroof has leaked and poured inside the Jeep since the day I had it it's a very dangerous vehicle it needs to please be investigated
I got this Jeep 2 months ago from a dealership in san antonio. On maybe about 5 occasions when I was at a stop light the whole engine shook like it was just going to turn off, luckily it never did. That is until yesterday, I got to a stop light heading home from work and it just turned off on me. No shaking this time, no warning at all. The radio and everything stayed on so I knew it wasn't the battery, and it wouldn't even crank when I tried turning the key just stayed silent. Mind you since there was no warning and I'm the only one in the car a 5'0" 118 lb woman not going to be able to push it somewhere safe all I could do was throw my emergency lights on and hope I didn't get rear ended with everyone leaving work (5 o' clock traffic was just starting) which I did almost get hit at least 3 times! After a couple minutes I tried again and it turned back on. …
This problem first happened a few years ago when I was driving on the interstate highway at 65 MPH. It was summertime and it was about 80 degrees. I had bought the vehicle used about 6 months earlier in the fall. As I was driving the engine began to make a "whining out" noise and suddenly began to lose power. A light came on the dash area and my speed suddenly dropped down to about 40 MPH and I was losing power to keep up with traffic. A tractor trailer that was traveling behind me had to slam on his brakes and almost lost control from trying to avoid running into the back of the car. I pulled off the interstate and called a tow truck. After waiting a couple of hours and letting the engine cool down, I started the car back up when the tow truck driver had arrived. …
Gas pump shuts off when filling up, it started last month on & off. Last 3 days have not been able to put more than 1 gallon regardless of gas pump or gas station. Checked internet and many are reporting the same problem and have been told the gas tank has to be replaced at owners expense. I had similar problems with 2005 Chrysler 300, it started the same way where I could not put gas, then it started to shutoff while driving or right after filling up, a couple times I almost got into an accident when turning at intersection and engine shutoff after leaving the gas station. The dealer replaced the gas tank for free as similar issues were reported for 2006 chryler 300s,but not 2005 model. 2) also, often after filling up, the engine light will go on usually within hours of filling up while driving and stays on. …
Just bought used Jeep 2 days ago, filled tank up with gas, pulled out onto highway, stalled out and Jeep died, almost hit by on coming vehicle, thankfully she had enough time to stop and give me the finger. Sat there for a few minutes with hazards on, cursing my luck as I've only had this Jeep for 5 hours and had to be in work in 20 min. Prayed and started the Jeep right up and on to work. Coming home same night decided to take on interstate to see how it would do at 65-70 MPH and holy moly the steering wheel was vibrating like one of the massage chairs in the mall. Come to find out on forums that Jeep owners are aware of the gas issue (dealer doesn't know or neglected to tell us) as we are first time Jeep owners. …
After filling up my gas tank this morning, my car sputtered and stalled in the middle of an intersection immediately after I left gas station. I was yielding to turn left to enter the northbound lanes of I-69. I have had this issue for quite awhile now and my mechanic hasn't been able to find an issue since it only happens when I fill up the gas tank. I decided this morning to look for other Jeep owners with the same problem and found a forum that dates back to over 3 years ago with people having the same problem. Apparently, their findings have LED to the gas tank needing to be replaced in part to a faulty part that sits on/in the gas tank. In the past, I've had to time traffic lights in order to make it through without stalling but obviously that didn't work today. Typically, this is only an issue when I'm driving at slower speeds or in stop/go traffic. …
After filling my tank, everytime I leave the gas station the engine sputters and will stall. Luckily I'm able to sometimes get over on to the side of the road before being in an accident. This is very dangerous. During the winter months when it is cold outside, I am only able to put in a few cents at a time. It can take over 20 minutes to slowly fill up the gas tank. Max it will fill is a few cents at a time before you have to release the handle and then press it ever so lightly to fill up the next part. The engine will often sputter as it feels like it is going to quit running as I'm driving down the highway or interstate similar to what happens after you fill up your tank. The va the only time the Jeep is stationary is when I'm filling it up or after it dies after a fuel philip. The vehicle is always in motion either in the city highway city road when it kills after filling up. …
This issue started a few years ago when our 2008 Jeep Patriot was approximately 5 years old. Almost every time we fill the tank with gas, immediately to within the first couple of hours the car will shudder and stall, then it has a hard time restarting. We have had the vapor purge valve and canister changed 3 times which seemed to fix it the first 2 times, but only temporarily. This has been quite disturbing since it has stalled in traffic, usually when coming to a stop at a light or to make a turn, but a couple of times it stalled while driving home from the gas station. It is usually OK after sitting over night, but it has had the same issue the following day a few times. None of the dealerships or repair shops that we have talked to seem to have any idea what the issue could be. …
Engine complaints in other Patriot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Jeep Patriot, 16% of the model year's 447 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Patriot engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Jeep Patriot. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Patriot engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.