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).
I have the same exact problem as everyone else. The throttle lightning bolt flashes, car wont shift or do more than 35. It wont respond to accelerating. It jerks all over the place when at a low speed. I went off of the road in the snow but was OK. When it first started it kicked into a lower gear, jerked and the car slid. You are going to get people killed ignoring this and now here is written proof that you have been warned. Do hear that, Chrysler? Because youre about to.
In August 2016 driving along and the car stalled and the engine light and electrical light and my 4 wheel drive light came on. The four wheel drive stayed on as well and the car sputtered then stopped. Would not go. Had it towed to a mechanic and he said the electronic body throttle needed replaced. Ridiculous,I contacted the dealership but didn't hear back so I had it fixed and replaced. Monday decemeber 12th while driving home from work at 45 miles an hour my Jeep stalled and then completely died on the road. I managed to get it off the road at a coast. Had it towed again and the mechanic said I need a new engine. This is what happened the mechanic said "due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines May have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure," said NHTSA in its summary of the problem. …
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? …
I've complained here 2 weeks ago but now an update -- today was the second time which was more serious as not only the etc light came on , but the MIL light and then the eac light. After stalling and restarting and plugging my way home -- while at a stop light , foot on brake on a hill, the car seemed to RPM very highly and seemed to want to accelerate (while a pedestrian crossed in front of me at the light). At that time -- or around that time -- all the idiot lights came on -- on the instrument panel. The car was stationary, but appeared to swoop into high gear while sitting with brake on pedal. It then dwindled down to the previous 3 lights. Later when I made it home after several stalls, I went out to start it . The MIL light lights first, and although it's suppose to warn me about seat-belts that has stopped. …
My Jeep Patriot starting having acceleration issues about a month ago. While driving, it does not matter if I am turning or driving straight, the vehicle feels like it is being cut off from the fuel and gets jerky. Now the electronic throttle control warning light will come on and then go out. This happens on city streets doing 25mph or on the highway doing 60mph. I drive my two daughters around and cannot trust this vehicle to be safe. We have tried looking into fixing it and no one can tell us what is wrong. Every forum we have gone to tells us that they have filed complaints as well and nothing is being done. I cannot wait for this to completely go out with risk of an accident. Some have stated that they have had to tow their vehicle home because it will completely shut off. There is no actual answer to the problem and the parts are a maybe for a fix. Which do we fix first? …
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 have a 2014 Jeep Patriot with about 33,474 miles when the problem occurred. I was driving going home in a busy street in los angeles when all of a sudden the malfunction indicator light (MIL) and electronic stability control (ESC) (see photos) light showed up on the dashboard and I stopped because the traffic light turned red. I had 3 passengers with me and they were trying to google what the dashboard light means. When the light turned green, I started to drive but the engine was stalling, as if it doesn't want to drive, no power. So I parked at the curb, turned off the ignition and waited for a few seconds then turned the ignition on again. The ESC disappeared from the dashboard but the MIL remained lit up. I was able to drive home and the next day, took the vehicle to my mechanic. My mechanic replaced the throttle body and it's working fine now. …
Tamara recall to whom it May concern my 2014 Jeep Patriot throttle body went out while driving and almost caused a crash I looked up on the Jeep forum and their is thousands of people with the same year and make with the same issues alot of them caused recks from throttle body issues, what happen was I was driving on a city street and came to a stop sign and then my etc light and check engeine light came on blinking and then with my foot completly on the break and I just got new breaks done a couple of months ago , my Jeep started to rev and the rpms went all the way to the red and my Jeep was off bucking and went straight ahead while my foot is still on the break I was completely not in control of my Jeep and I was heading right into another vehicle I slammed on my horn and put my hazards on and the other person slammed on their breaks, I was able to coast off the road because it …
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. …
Purchased a 2014 Jeep Patriot (used) on 03/15/2014 was going to work at 5 am. All of a sudden was in 2 lane Jeep started loosing power, skipping bad,it did not wont to run!!! Finally got it out of the road. This was in August of 2015. Called my husband he came we got it back home. Police stopped to see if I was OK now I called the Jeep recall place and gave them my VIN number said no recalls . So now the Jeep will not start when I turn the ignition on! Have to do it several times to get it to crank!!! We live up on mountain now it started again the same thing!!!! Hesitates going up the mountain and also on straight flat road!!! So what am I suppose to do???? It scares me thinking I am going to get stranded on side of road anytime, especially at 5 in the mornings!!!! Still doing the same thing!!! I just feel like I aint the only one this has happen to with the jeeps.
Traction Control complaints in other Patriot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2014 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2014 Jeep Patriot, 10% of the model year's 548 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Jeep Patriot traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.