Most common 2016 Jeep Patriot problems
Share of the 458 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Patriot complaints by model year
Best Patriot years: 2017, 2013, 2010. Years to avoid: 2014, 2016, 2008, 2012. Compare all years →
2016 Jeep Patriot recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2016 Jeep Patriot:
Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure
On December 13, 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received recall 16V-907 from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) that identified a safety defect involving crankshaft or camshaft sensor failures on certain 2016 Model Year Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles.
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early…
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
What 2016 Jeep Patriot owners say
Engine & cooling all 241 →
My son was driving his vehicle on the interstate in Florida when all of the sudden engine stopped working. He was able to navigate to the side and eventually it started up and made back to campus. Codes had came up so took to Firestone and changed spark plugs. We checked NHTSA website for engine recalls and showed had some but not for his specific vehicle per VIN. Only sounded a little better so took to Jeep dealership and paid for diagnostic evaluation and told "alternator falling apart" but nothing wrong with engine or transmission. They changed a belt Dealership also said no recall for his particular vehicle. Problem continued so took to local mechanism who replaced alternator and a good bit better. So between 8/20/25-8/26/25, he took car to 3 repair shops that couldn't find the problem completely. …
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while stationary at a traffic light attempting to make a left turn, while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that she was unaware if there was a warning light illuminated. The contact stated she parked in the middle of the street before restarting the vehicle. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM levels raised up however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated she was able to park on the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The contact stated she drove to her residence while experiencing the failure. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure and the throttle body warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the throttle body and wiring harness to be replaced. …
Electrical system all 99 →
The contact's son owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. Despite being able to restart the vehicle, the contact stated that the failure would return. Recently, the contact stated that after she experienced the failure and restarted the vehicle, the vehicle began to vibrate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics who were all unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The contact has had several repairs performed on the vehicle; however, each repair failed, and the failure persisted. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle momentarily shut off, causing the vehicle to decelerate unintendedly. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Transmission & drivetrain all 74 →
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The stated that the ABS and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the ABS module was replaced. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started shuddering, emitted abnormal sounds, and failed to respond. The contact released the accelerator pedal. The contact shifted to park(P) and turned off the vehicle. The contact then restarted the vehicle and continued driving; however, the failure reoccurred twice that same day. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and pulled into a gas station, where there were abnormal sounds coming from the vehicle along with a burning odor. …
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that upon accelerating uphill, the RMPs revved up but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the temperature sensor had failed and damaged the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the temperature sensor, head gasket, water pump, radiator, and unknown hoses and clamps were replaced. A transmission flush was performed, and the transmission was rebuilt. Additionally, the contact stated that upon parking the vehicle after driving 45 MPH, she noticed that the driver's seat headrest had partially been deployed independently. The contact pushed the headrest inside the seat; however, the headrest was completely deployed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. …
2016 Jeep Patriot engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 28 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 22 / 26 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD | 22 / 27 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Jeep Patriot a good car?
Based on 458 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Patriot rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Patriot at the same age. It is one of the Patriot years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
The engine & cooling — 241 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › crank/camshaft position sensor. Next are the electrical system (99) and transmission & drivetrain (74).
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Patriot have?
There is 1 recall for the 2016 Jeep Patriot, the most recent from December 16, 2016 (engine). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Patriot?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2013 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2016, 2008 and 2012. See the full Jeep Patriot years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Jeep Patriot problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 47% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.