Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Jeep Patriot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. While the contact's daughter was driving 25 MPH, the steering failed to operate as designed and the rear of the vehicle stated to swerve to the right and left. The driver drove the vehicle to her destination and her father inspected the rear end and found that the rear cross members were completely rusted away. The daughter had noticed that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the subframe inadvertently lowered. Additionally, the contact stated that the muffler was rusted. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact notified the local dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided a discount on the cost of the parts. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH attempting to reverse, there was an abnormal sound coming from near the rear wheel. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was not towed to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was inspected by the contact's friend, who noticed that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an unrelated issue, the contact was informed that the rear subframe was severely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while her vehicle was being repaired by an independent mechanic, she was informed that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired by the independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,524.
Front and Rear Crossmembers have significant rust/corrosion. Fiat Chrysler TSB 23-007-17 rev. B provides 10 year warranty extension for cross-members on 2008-2012 Jeep Patriot vehicles in rust belt states (including Maryland and DC, but excluding Virginia). My wife's 2011 Jeep Patriot has significant front and rear crossmember rust, and for most of it's life was parked in Arlington, VA, 2 miles from the Washington DC border. FCA says that our vehicle is not covered by the TSB Extended Crossmember Warranty. I contacted FCA Customer Care to request that they apply this extended warranty coverage to our vehicle, based on the close proximity to rust belt states (~2 miles), existence of significant rust on both cross members, and the vehicle clearly being within the affected model years covered by the TSB. …
I went to get my car inspected and was told that I would need to replace my cross member/subframe which would cost thousands. I was trying to figure out how to fix it for less when I came across a discussion board where everyone with these vehicles were having the same problem. I also look on YouTube and all the comments under multiple videos showing how to replace it also had the same problem. This issue is Chrysler knew this was an issue and extended the warranty for that part and most owner of that vehicle had no idea they did. The owner ended up paying thousands for the part or trading their car in and buying another one. I believe Chrysler quietly extended the warranty and never properly notified vehicle owners of the extension. They also didn't make any type of public announcement that would inform drivers who brought the cars used after one or more owners had it. …
Vehicle is known to have an issue with rusting subframe/crossmembers . Warranty on this vehicle was extended. (Service Bulletin 23-007-17, X69 Warranty Extension) However upon multiple dealer visits and requesting inspection was not notified that issue was happening. Approximately 1.5 years after warranty extension had expired noticeable issues started occurring including noises that got worse and prompted a visit to dealer. Had to fight tooth and nail to get dealership or company to work with me on repairs on low mileage (121K) vehicle and even then they missed 1/2 the problem and told me not to come back to the shop. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - See beginning - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? …
Front cross member (Subframe is completely rusted)Causing a loud thumping noise when applying brakes or driving over bumps in the road. Very dangerous if the subframe would come completely separated from the vehicles body.(THIS Should definitely be a RECALL and why it hasn't been is a real mystery to me. This is not an isolated problem. Every Patriot owner I have talked to seem to have the same problem. Chrysler is aware of this too. I am expressing my deep concern on this matter and I know that there won't be a [redacted] thing done about it. I will be left with fixing this [redacted] on my own. In the meantime I refuse to let my wife drive the [redacted] thing until it is fixed. Chrysler should be held accountable for this defect but I'm sure that they won't. Wife bought this vehicle brand new in 2011 against my better judgement. But she's the one that paid for it. …
Body complaints in other Patriot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2011 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the body & structure of the 2011 Jeep Patriot, 16% of the model year's 326 complaints. The component named most often is body (41 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Jeep Patriot body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2011 Jeep Patriot, though it has 4 recalls 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 2011 Jeep Patriot body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure 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.