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 2016 Jeep Patriot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated and failed to accelerate over 30 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while driving. The contact stated that the electronic throttle control warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic throttle control had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Thank you for taking the time to review my inquiry. My 2016 Jeep Patriot has experienced issues with the engine shutting off intermittently while driving at significant speeds and losing control of my vehicle, especially while on the highway. This has created some dangerous situations, which thankfully never caused any harm. After doing some research, I noticed that Jeep had a safety recall for this exact issue "S89 / NHTSA 16V-907, Crankshaft Camshaft Sensor Wire Harness." My 2016 Jeep Patriot has experienced failures with the crankshaft position sensor listed in that recall twice now (in September 2022 & December 2024). My VIN # [redacted] ) is not included in that recall, so I was denied reimbursement by the manufacturer both times even though the dealer was able to reproduce the issues both times (see attached receipts). …
Vehicle suddenly stalls with no prior warning, both while driving and at rest. This cannot be duplicated and does not throw codes on the code scanner. Occasionally it will "hiccup" and keep going instead of a complete stall. RPM drops to zero and will then jump back to their prior reading. The vehicle becomes impossible to control (stalled so no speed st all abd difficult to steer). Mechanic cannot duplicate problem or find code on their reader. We have replaced the throttle body and one camshaft sensor but not the other, more difficult to reach sensor. There is a current recall for camshaft/crankshaft sensor that applies to some 2016 jeep patriots but ours falls outside of that manufacturing date range.
My 2016 Jeep Patriot is cutting off while I'm driving on the highway at 65 mph. The lights on the dashboard are on and for no apparent reason. Now my radio system is cutting on and off sporadically.Rendering my satellite radio and hands free use of my phone useless. I've been told that my car has no recalls. Although this recall "S89 / NHTSA 16V-907, seems like the exact problems I'm experiencing. I have taken good care of this vehicle and have had regular maintenance provided. This is a SAFETY issue and I should be able to get it fixed by recall. Thank you [redacted]
Like many other Jeep Patriot owners, I have experienced driving down the road when out of nowhere, the car dies! Mechanics keep telling people that either the camshaft position sensor or the crankshaft position sensor needs to be replaced...... It's a temporary fix. The code that comes up says that the sensor is intermittent. It's not the sensor that's the problem, it's the wiring connectors!!! Those two sensors are on the same harness. I've had all three sensors replaced. Right after, the car drives fine. Very soon after, the car stalls while driving. Back to square one. They need to recall the sensor wiring for these two sensors for ALL 2016 Jeep Patriots.
My jeep sputters like it's going to shut off. It does occasionally and I loose steering and speed control and The brakes dont work. Not sure if it's a fuel issue a transmission issue or what the deal is but it has done it forever. It jerks around like it is in the wrong gear and often is trying to operate in 6th gear when going 30 mph. It's not changing gears...it isn't accelerating correctly when pulling out in traffic. It is a disaster waiting to happen and has been. The local dealer just says wait for recall info. It's a jeep. It will be coming eventually....hello I drive my kids around daily
Traction light will come on intermittently and abs and brake lights will flash and go away intermittently and all lights on dash and headlights will dim, radio shuts off, rpms will drop to 0 then go back to normal all while driving. Both camshaft sensors have been replaced twice in under a year. All spark plugs have been replaced twice in under a year as well as the crankshaft sensor. Something is constantly draining my battery (headlights are set on auto and interior lights are always set to off) There was a recall for camshaft/crankshaft wiring but my vehicle was not included in the recall.
The emissions systems stated slippery when wet and the traction for the tires were loose. The tires were installed or balanced wrong causing the tires to slide. When braking the traction caused the car to be driven at low speed to avoid the problems with the steering wheel and the balance between it using the wrong amount of space to turn. It needed it large amount of space because the wheels weren't aligned correctly. The speed was hesitant to accelerate and was showing signs of defects written in the manufacturers possibly as needed investigation to return it back safely.
I purchased the vehicle 4 months ago, and this began at the end of September. Engine stalls out when driving down the highway, check engine light and road hazard lights come on and car trying to accelerate itself at times and other times won't go over 40 mph. If you let off the brake the car immediately launches forward. I have almost been hit as the car stalls out of no where. I can pull over and turn it off then back on and it will drive for a few miles then happen again. The car was hooked up to the code reader and it says throttle body injector P2173
While driving my Patriot, as I turned into the gas station the check engine light, traction control light and ETC (red lightning bolt) all popped on at the same time. My vehicle instantly went into limp mode. When In park, stayed a consistent 1,500 RPM's. All of this happened without warning as the car drove and ran like normal prior. Thankfully I was only .5 miles from home and was able to get it home. Code pulled: P2173 car has always been maintained on time since date of purchase.
Acceleration complaints in other Patriot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2016 Jeep Patriot, 11% of the model year's 458 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Jeep Patriot acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2016 Jeep Patriot, though it has 1 recall 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 2016 Jeep Patriot acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries 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.