Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Jeep Patriot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My jeep would suddenly jerk forward almost rear ending people at red lights without any warning. While traveling at approximately 45 mph the engine light came on my jeep. As I went to pull over the engine started bucking/jerking then the engine light flashed. I was barely able to pull over on the side of the road before the car completely stalled. I had to have towed to a dealership as it was no longer drivable. I was almost on the highway. The dealership said I had total engine failure and should buy a new car. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. I ASSOCIATE THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V552000 (ENGINE) That has been open since of 11/2013. But my vehicles VIN "wasn't included". I was driving with my four small kids in my jeep.
Driving normal when i lost control of the throttle jeep went into limp mode, the ETC , traction control, and check engine lights came on, got a uo4o1 code, if i was on the interstate could have been bad when it went into limp mode, the electronic throttle control was bad
I rented a 2014 Jeep Patriot from one of the rental car companies on feb 17 2015 and used it for about five days before the following incident happened. On feb 22 , I was driving the car on I-5 going south. I made an exit after driving for about 2 hours on the freeway to refuel which I did. It was bright sunny day the time was around noon. I moved away from the gas pump and wanted to park it behind the gas station. I found a space between two cars and as I was slowly moving towards the parking space the car accelerated at an incredible speed, broke into a fence of a private residence, then hit a play house (for children) and landed in the swimming pool. …
The partriot randomly stalls while travelling at any speed. The engine shuts off and car has to coast to a stop. It is extremely dangerous and only a matter of time before someone is injured or killed. Multiple mechanics and the Jeep dealership have no clue as to how to fix the problem. Online research shows this is a major issue for many Jeep owners, not just patriots. Jeep / Chrysler has a major issue and will not acknowledge or address it. If they refuse to do anything, they should be prepared to pay for their lack of addressing this critical issue. It takes less than a minute to search and see how many people are affected with engine stalling issues with Jeep automobiles. I hope the NHTSA will conduct a thorough review of these issues and force more attention to be given to the serious issue. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2014 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated when the vehicle was parked in her driveway with the key in the ignition switch and the vehicle on and it was noticed that the vehicle was moving forward independently. The contact was not in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The contact immediately reach for the vehicle door handle the vehicle independently accelerated and proceeded to move forward down, the vehicle hit a fence, went down a hill, and the vehicle came to a stop when it crashed into the a tree. The contact was able to go into the passenger door and turned the vehicle engine off. The vehicle was towed to the contacts insurance lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 138,486.
While driving to work the car attempted to stall and the etc light came on. The car seemed to go neutral, then gag, then regained it's composure. I immediately pulled off. Car was in cold weather but never had this issue before, in mn. Temps the manual said it was the etc electric throttle control, but didn't indicate it was a major concern, unless light stayed on . What would be a major concern other than getting rear ended by a pile of cars? I've never had this with any car, it was totally a new light I've never seen. I made it to work afterwards. On the way back home, the etc light came on again -- flashing, then off -- car stayed rolling. Perhaps it is more inclined to stall going uphill with the etc, and while it's rolling downhill, less inclined to stall? …
When vehicle operates in mountainous highways requiring 3000-3500 RPM for continuous long grade, or a series of smaller grades which heat the transmission. The computer is automatically programed to shut down the vehicle . This occurs without regards traffic, road conditions or safety. We bought the vehicle last year and have recorded 55 separate occasions of such operating hazards. This activity leaves the stranded vehicle at the edge of the roadway for prolonged periods of time as traffic flies by at excess of 65 MPH or higher. The stranded vehicle represents a hazard to both the occupants of the vehicle as well as the vehicles in transit nearby. These stops for the vehicle can be as long as thirty minutes for cool down. The dangers posed by this activity are greatly enhanced when this occurs at night. …
I am writing in regards to an issue that has been happening with my Jeep Patriot that upon further research seems to be plaguing many Patriot owners as well with no solution. Randomly my vehicle would lose acceleration and the electronic throttle control light would light. When this would happen I would lose the power to accelerate and would have to pull over and restart the vehicle. Once restarted the problem would no longer be there as if it didn't happen. Sometimes the 4wd and traction control light would ignite during these episodes. I have taken the vehicle in for diagnostics, but nothing popped on their end and I have been told that the only way for them to know what is wrong is if it happens when they have it. Being there can be a week or more between episodes this isn't feasible. …
I accelerated up to 30 MPH on a city street and then coasted up to traffic and was slowing down, at the light and my car all the sudden turned on 3 lights the traction control light, check engine light and the trottle position light. I stopped my car at the light and once I did the car jerked forward sending me into the intersection. Lucky no one was coming but I ended up having to run the red light because my car jerk forward again and once I gave it gas it only got worse. I pulled off into a parking lot and turned my car on and off a few times to reset the computer. It finally did after turning it on and off five times. All the lights went off. So I tried to drive it to work and once I drove down the city road a little ways (maybe a mile). The car jerked and attempted to shift up and then downshifted and my engine then reved to five thousand RPM. …
While driving in the city at about 30 MPH my etc light comes on and car starts to slow and will not let me accelerate. Also as soon as I stop and start to go my car moves very slowly about 10mph and sometimes the etc light and stability control light will come on and my car will not accelerate over 15/20mph at all until I stop and try to go again. Sometimes it's so bad that I have to stop and shut off my car and start it again for it to fix itself. This is very dangerous especially when going across the road or turning when other cars are coming. Never mind how dang it is if it is to happen on the highway, which I have avoided since I don't feel like dying anytime soon. Everything I read on the internet is saying that it's been happening to many people that have 2014 Jeep patriots. This is honestly something that is going to get someone seriously hurt and at no fault of their own. …
Acceleration complaints in other Patriot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2014 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2014 Jeep Patriot, 11% of the model year's 548 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Jeep Patriot acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2014 Jeep Patriot, though it has 2 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 2014 Jeep Patriot acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration 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.