2012 Jeep Patriot Engine Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  4341%
• 25k–50k
  2019%
• 50k–75k
  1615%
• 75k–100k
  1413%
• 100k–150k
  1110%
• 150k+
  22%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Jeep Patriot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the lights inside the vehicle were flickering and the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and then stalled. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled an abnormal odor, and the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Additionally, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the exhaust was clogged. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. Additionally, the contact became aware of a coolant leak. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound and shuddered. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled again. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was undrivable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

I cannot put gas in my car, continuously shuts off and spits fuel back out like its full. It takes about 20 minutes to get enough gas in it to feel like I can drive a little distance without worrying I will run out since It always acts as if its full. It also seems as if it wants to stall out at times and I just give it more gas. I have had this car for a few months now and Im scared its going to stall and cause an accident. Having a difficult time with getting someone to work on it, codes will not diagnose. After reading I saw this had recalls in the past. Should this car have been recalled?

Intake manifold flow valve was replaced and so was the manifold. One month later my vehicle threw an engine light for code p2015 for the same issue. I then replace the valve again three days after thinking it was a faulty part and almost a week last same code with the engine light. It give very bad idling and with jump the rpm to almost 4k before the vehicle even moves. Needless to say pulling out in traffic would be impossible unless I was to be hit by multiple vehicles.

Something is wrong with the engine. I was told the engine is blown. I've maintained my vehicle and completed recommended repairs by Brakes Plus. I'd like to mention that as a former lube tech for Jiffy Lube, I am familiar with oil top offs. Naturally, I periodically checked my dip stick to confirm oil levels. It ALWAYS read at an acceptable level. Did I think it was weird? No, because I'm not a mechanic. I just thought that's how Jeeps are. Go Jeep! I'm a fan... well, my engine blew. Took it to Brakes Plus,l (towed), after a few check ups (towed each time)asked the techs how much oil was in the tank. Was told 2 quarts. I'm thinking that should have been reflected somehow on the dipstick. It wudnt. Since my car's been dead, thought I'd "experiment" with the oil readings. I have NOT driven the jeep. Anyhow, put a quart in- low and behold... it reads WAY above the max fill marker. …

I submitted a form yesterday and forgot to mention that there have been a few other odd things about the jeep which I'm not sure how to explain. 1. There has, since day 1 of my purchase, test drive, etc, always been some weird whistling sound when driving. Very light, like the kind of whistle made with just your tongue at the roof of the mouth. Not a "full" whistle sound. 2. When going uphill, the engine squeals. And honestly has poor acceleration uphill in general. Very poor. But I thought it was how this make and model is. 4 cylinders aren't known for their awesome power and speed, after all. 3. Occasionally, the jeep "tugs"? Seemingly like how manuals switch between gears, but mine is an automatic. It does so unprovoked, not by my using the cvt option, randomly, at any speed. 4. Occasionally there would be a "dropping" kind of sound. …

Along with complaints 11466544 11466577 I want to add that I bought this car in November 2015. The engine blew in May 2021 with 104k miles. Not at all what would expect from a 2010+ model vehicle. And another thing .... I'm used to needing more regular tune ups. So, once a year -ish... I'd take the jeep in for spark plug replacement, etc. Well, when I switched to the other brkes plus closer to my home, the tech told me that's not required for this jeep. We actually kind of got into it. But, we're able to amicably come to agreement. Anyways, the other brakes plus did so without argument, at least twice. After me and dude from brakes plus had our Lil tiff... I reevaluated my owners manual, and confirmed the spark plug thing. He was right. But one thing I always found odd... was that transmission fluid replacement was not recommended untilb130,000. Did I find that odd?? YES! …

Ah... yes. And the most absolute weirdest thing of all about this jeep- The manual that came with the jeep (which i cant seem to find) stated 85 gas is recommended. Did I think THAT was weird? YES! It's a truck. Kinda heavy... didn't expect 85 gas. But it's a 4cylinder, so ok. That manual was also not very thorough, for lack of a better term, so I purchased one. That manual stated 87. Put 87 in it. The jeep lost acceleration power. Couldn't get above 35mph. Boomerang only takes 85. Weird. Didn't put too much thought into it. If I remember correctly, this issue always resolved on its own somehow. Not sure why. Anyhow. That has happened about 4 or 5 times under my ownership. Every now and again, after regular maintenance, I would kind of check it, to see. On several occasions, when i took it in for regular oil changes, i'd mention that issue, no one had anything to say about it. …

Ah- yes, The absolute most weirdest thing about this jeep. When putting the recommended 87 gas in the tank, it loses acceleration power. The manual that came with it (which i cant seem to find) stated 85. Did I think THAT was weird? Yes! It's a truck, kinda heavy, but it is a 4 cylinder- so ok jeep. That manual, however, was not very thorough, so I purchased one. That one stated 87. Put 87 in it. Nope. Boomerang only takes 85. When 87 is put in, it loses acceleration power and won't go above 35 mph. The issue always seemed to resolve on its own. Not sure why, and I didn't put much thought into it. Every now and then I would try 87, same thing happened. This happened about 4 or 5 times under my ownership. I mentioned this several times at regular maintenance and oil changes. No one had much to say about it other than that was weird. Agreed. …

I have had my 2012 Jeep Patriot for over a year and just recently, in the last 5 months, the engine will randomly stall while I am driving or idling at a light/stop sign. There is no warning or indication as to why this happens. It has happened at various speeds ranging from 25 MPH to 60 MPH. It has happened on residential roads and on the freeway. Luckily, each time it has happened I have been able to get over to the shoulder pretty quickly. When it first started happening, I would turn it off and be able to start it right away. It has been happening more frequently lately. Sometimes it happens anywhere between 2 to 6 times a day. It's very random. Sometimes days go by before it happens and then sometimes it happens every single day. It never happens when I am turning. Only when I am driving. Never in reverse. …

Engine complaints in other Patriot years