Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Jeep Patriot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle was swaying from side to side. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to a tire repair shop for alignment and tire rotation services; however, the contact was informed that the services could not be performed because the rear crossmember was severely corroded and fractured, which caused damages to the rear tires. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the front crossmember was corroded. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's mother. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under TSB Number: 23-007-17 REV.B, because the TSB had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000. …
The contact's daughter-in-law owns a 2009 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while he was replacing the brakes and control arms on the vehicle, he noticed that both the front and rear sub frame of the vehicle were severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear and front subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
front and rear crossmember assembly rusted through car available. acknowledged history on this and related models of Chrysler products resulting in a additional 10 yr warrantee on these components which was not communicated to original owners and has now expired. vehicle has the potential to lose driver control and cause injury or death. no warning but rust has been visible for years but consumers not advised of extended warrantee. now cost of repair exceeds book value. Jeep disavows any responsibility for this defect in materials after the warrantee's expiration.
Air conditioner drain drips directly on subframe cross brace for front cradle, erosion and road grim along with neverending dripping water even from using defrost leads to rust and cross brace breaking into and well you can use your imagination for what happens next. Drain needs extended and re routed because I know I can't be the only one with this problem.
Loud clunking noise from left front wheel area while driving and making turns.. Visual inspection revealed crossmember seriously rusted and corroded at upper control arm area. Several major cracks in subframe due to rust through compromising vehicle stability. Complaints made to Chrysler and the dealership with no resolution. Chrysler was well aware of the issue and put out a service bulletin pertaining to the problem.service bulletin 23-007-17 rev b. Extending warranty coverage for only 10 years. I believe Chrysler deliberately put a 10 year cap on these parts to limit their responsibility because they were well aware of the severe rusting issue and knew other vehicles would soon be effected. I 'am now facing a repair bill of over $1000.00 and that does not include anything else that needs to be replaced because of this parts failure.
Tire dealer indicates that front lower control arms need replacing due to worn ball joints. The vehicle has approximately 47000 miles and is driven for family pleasure only. This is premature wear. All four tires wore prematurely. (in fact, the ball joint issue was discovered when the vehicle was in for tire replacement.) if the ball joints separate, control of the vehicle would likely be lost. The tire dealer recommended immediate replacement of the defective ball joints and to avoid driving the vehicle until repairs are made. There are many complaints on the internet about this (2007-2017) compass and Patriot models. This is a safety issue! Chrysler has issued a recall for defective lower ball joints on the 2004 Jeep liberty. The same should be done here before a fatality occurs.
Took vehicle in to tire shop to replace tires. During inspection, it was noted that the lower right control arm was broken. While that May be common for a 5 year old vehicle, that should not be common for a 39K mi vehicle that has spent the majority of its life sitting in a driveway or garage. Mechanics at shop stated that if it was not replaced, vehicle should not be driven over 40 MPH due to an increased likelihood of wheel separation and damage to vehicle/persons in vehicle. Replaced right lower control arm and all four tires, as well as right ball joint where control arm connects as recommended by shop. Same issues are recurring again 13K miles later. Issues include: loose steering, poor steering control over 55 MPH, additional wear on front tires and brakes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact saw that a piece of the engine cradle was missing due to corrosion on the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the corrosion had spread to the driver's side control arm. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was undriveable and remained unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available.
The engine cradle rusted to the point that the front sway bar broke off and the control arm was about to on 1-28-2017. It was at dick scott dealership of Plymouth mi. For a timing chain cover gasket repair on 10-6-2016. When I called the dealership to ask why I was not notified of the safety issue at that time. Butch said we do not inform customers of rust issues. I was refused any assistance with this matter from FCA and informed this would be an out of pocket expense. It is unconscionable that a certified mechanic would not deem this vehicle unsafe to drive about 100 days earlier. You will see from the attached photos.
While driving on a residential road the 2009 Jeep Patriot's subframe broke. Because of this my vehicle almost lost the passenger tire. Had it been on the freeway I would have been severely injured. After being inspected by the mechanic he has never seen rust this bad and it's much more deteriorated than any other part of the underbody. This is not normal wear and tear. A 9 year old vehicle should not be experiencing this sort of deterioration. The result of this mechanical failure has caused damage to the tie-rod, the suspension, and the control arm. Vehicle is a total loss.
Suspension complaints in other Patriot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2009 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Jeep Patriot, 19% of the model year's 275 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Jeep Patriot suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2009 Jeep Patriot, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 2009 Jeep Patriot suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
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.