Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Yes components available for inspection/ yes sold by dealership with undisclosed problems/ yes problems confirmed by dealer/ no component inspected. 1st noticed foul smell upon starting vehicle/ failure to start/ chugging/ brakes noise/ smell inside cab. Been Verified noted vehicle was in flood??? all occurred beginning 2022. Could not get the vehicle in till 03/23. All dealerships backed up wait out 8 weeks. I have had my vehicle to 3 different certified dealerships. I bought an extended warranty that no one will honor. Bought a vehicle without the full disclosure[ reconditioning repair orders[
Purchased vehicle less than 6 monthes ago and complained to the dealer that it sounded and felt like wheels were about to fall off. 8 days later I took it to get an oil change and the shop refused. He explained that when they lifted the Jeep and inspected tires the wire treads were exposed in the middle of the tire, at any moment the vehicle could pose serious injury or death to passengers. I took it to the dealership and they changed tire but did not inspect the vehicle. The brakes continually made a screeching sound , for some unknown reason. The steering wheel would often veer left when turned right and the Jeep kept making rubbing and popping sounds last week while travelling less than 20 miles an hour the car made a popping sound , I lost control of steering wheel and it was veering to right , running up on the curb and the vehicle was still in motion . . …
The second to the last day of hunting season my husband. And I went up above our house, about 15 miles, we were in light snow, and I could not get the throttle to engage caused us to slide back a little again tried to use throttle to go, my husband saw a wisp of smoke on passenger side, I immediately turned the engine off, my husband looks under where the smoke came from and the rack n pinion boot where on fire, I popped the hood, flames were to hot for him to open the hood. I walked down the road to safety, as my husband got out what he could of our belongings out and into the snow bank. And in that few minutes the flames were inside the cab and windows were exploding, next the tires and the paint etc.....the spare tire also blew from the back of the car. My husband left before the gas tank blew if it did we don't know. We had to walk 15 miles soaking wet . …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Jeep Patriot. While the vehicle was parked, water leaked into the cabin. Upon inspecting the rear of the vehicle, the contact noticed that the water entered along the rear hatch of the vehicle. The leak caused damage to the headliner, carpet, and rear seats. The contact stated that mold and the odor of mold were present inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to watson ludington Chrysler (located at 3632 west us highway 10, ludington, mi 49431, [phone]) to be inspected. The mechanic was able to use automotive caulk to seal the area from which the water leaked. After a night of torrential rains, there were no signs of further leaks. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,279. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired, but the vehicle still smelled of mold. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's headrest exploded. The passenger sustained injuries to her neck but did not receive medical attention. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the headrest needed to be replaced. Additionally, while the contact was attempting to fill the fuel tank, the fuel hose snapped out of the fuel tank. The failure was intermittent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled an abnormal odor. The contact also stated that the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle needed a new fuel system. The vehicle was taken to a second mechanic, who informed the contact that no failure had been found. …
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, he was informed that the subframe was rusted. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 63,045.
Driving at 70 MPH, interstate 57, near marion, illinois. Driver alerted by passing vehicle. Driver immediately pulled off the highway onto shoulder when driver saw flames coming from rear of vehicle. When stopped, all people exited vehicle. Driver and navigator immediately began trying to put out flames coming from rear hatch area. With the aid of several passing motorists, flames were nearly put out by the time the fire department arrived on scene. Police were immediately there, before fire department. Lost most of the clothing and camping equipment that were riding in the plastic storage containers in the bumper-mounted hitch carrier. When we first stopped, flames were shooting out and melting plastic body panels and plastic bumper parts, and plastic rear wiper parts, and plastic storage containers in the hitch carrier. …
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle had a flat tire. The contact stated upon changing the flat tire, the contact noticed that the rear subframe where the rear axle was connected to was rusted and the axle had started to detach from the vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was informed there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and instructed the contact to reach out to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which Jeep Patriot years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (88), 2009 (61), 2011 (51), 2007 (23) and 2010 (23) model years. Body complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Jeep Patriot body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Jeep Patriot model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Jeep Patriot body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (203 mentions), followed by the frame and members (19).
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.