The Jeep Patriot is a compact SUV manufactured between 2007 and 2017. Jeep is a well-known manufacturer that has created some of the most recognizable cars in American history, including the legendary Wrangler. But not every model in Jeep’s portfolio was a runaway hit; for instance, consider the now-discontinued Jeep Patriot.
In this article, We have compiled a list of the worst Jeep Patriot model years to avoid and the best ones to buy.
The model years from 2007-2012, 2014, and 2016 are the worst Jeep Patriot years. The best model years of the Jeep Patriot include 2013, 2015, and 2017. This result was concluded from trustworthy sources such as NHTSA, Edmund, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book.
What Are The Worst Years Of Jeep Patriot?
First, we’ll look at the worst years. This vehicle’s new models became highly problematic in a very short time, leading to their discontinuation.
You’ll find those years listed below:
#8 Worst Year: 2009 Jeep Patriot (3.98 Rating)
The 2009 Jeep Patriot is a problem-plagued model introduced to the fray. In this model, transmission noise is the primary source of owners’ dissatisfaction. It reportedly emits a high-pitched noise while gradually releasing the gas. Its warranty covers transmission replacement unless you want to spend an extra $2,730 on maintenance and fixes.
The 2009 Patriot also has a leaking sunroof, just like the 2008 model year. The water damage will lead to additional issues, such as electrical problems and mold growth.
Common Problems:
- High-pitched whine from the transmission
- Water leakage into the interior.
- Rusted engine cradle
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 2 recalls and 268 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.2/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 80/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer ratings.
#7 Worst Year: 2007 Jeep Patriot (3.86 Rating)
Another year, another Jeep Patriot with known issues. The 2007 Jeep Patriot had many problems, including suspension problems and stalling after being loaded with petrol. Several owners mentioned replacing the lower control arm due to suspension failure.
Drivers also face other problems, like the inability to fill the gas tank. According to car complaints, this problem has an awful severity rating of 10/10, and fixing the issue will cost you around $1,300.
Common Problems:
- Ball joints, Upper control arm failure
- Car stalls after fueling
- Can not fill the gas tank
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 2 recalls and 268 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.1/5.0 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer ratings.
#6 Worst Year: 2016 Jeep Patriot (3.61 Rating)
Even if the 2016 Jeep Patriot isn’t the most problematic SUV on the market, it still has enough problems to be included here. Premature CVT transmission failure is evident in various Patriot models, including the 2016 model year.
It was reported that people heard whining sounds, received overheating warnings, and could not accelerate the car.
Common Problems:
- Water leakage into the cabin
- The car will not accelerate while driving
- Brakes squeaking
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 1 recall and 349 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 77/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer and 2.5 expert ratings.
#5 Worst Year: 2010 Jeep Patriot (3.58 Rating)
Another worst Jeep Patriot model is the 2010 model. Many 2010 Jeep Patriot drivers have faced ongoing problems with CVT transmission. They also face numerous problems with the vehicle’s Wireless Control Module, which prevents the engine from starting.
Numerous 2010 Jeep Patriot owners have complained of interior damage and discomfort caused by water leaks from the front or rear roof region. Other than that, Many reports have been filed against shifting issues, such as stuck gears and grinding noises with manual transmissions.
Common Problems:
- Transmission grinding
- Loose ball joint
- High pitch whine
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 3 recalls and 182 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.0/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 79/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer ratings.
#4 Worst Year: 2008 Jeep Patriot (3.45 Rating)
The Patriot, Jeep’s sophomore effort, wasn’t without problems. The 2008 Patriot reportedly received 442 NHTSA complaints from transmission failure to leaking sunroofs.
The Patriot’s leaking sunroof is the primary source of customer dissatisfaction. There were multiple accounts of water getting inside the Patriot through the sunroof. Sometimes the leaks would go through the radio and dashboard, shorting out the headlights. It’s so awful that some car owners must stay indoors whenever it rains.
Another thing to watch out for with the 2008 Patriot is transmission failure. Several Jeep owners have complained that their transmissions failed suddenly at roughly 100,000 miles.
Common Problems:
- Sunroof leak
- Transmission failure
- Water leaks into the interior
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 1 recall and 442 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.2/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 80/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer ratings.
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#3 Worst Year: 2011 Jeep Patriot (3.18 Rating)
The 2011 Jeep Patriot is also among the worst models available from this company’s lineup. There are new problems, like an overheating transmission, and the recurrence of old ones, like a water leak.
The 2011 Patriot has many issues, but the transmission’s tendency to overheat is at the top of the list. Many drivers report hearing a whining sound from their engines at roughly 70k miles before the transmission temperature light comes on. This problem appears to be widespread with CVT transmissions.
Common Problems:
- Transmission overheats
- Engine failure
- Sunroof leaks
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 4 recalls and 309 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.0/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 81/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer ratings.
#2 Worst Year: 2014 Jeep Patriot (3.15 Rating)
Coming on to the second place of the worst model is the 2014 jeep patriot. There were general concerns about this model. The interior water leakage problem also affected the body and paint issues. Many customers face the problem of transmission overheating while driving the Patriot.
Major Patriot models face sunroof leakage problems, while this model takes the lead with 8 complaints. This problem usually occurs at 10,000 miles; the only way to fix it is to unseal the roof rack. In addition, several passengers felt that the vehicle’s doors weren’t correctly aligned. The vehicle’s electrical systems and engine both had problems.
Related: Jeep 3.6 Engine Problems: Symptoms, Causes, & Solutions
Common Problems:
- Transmission overheating
- Water leakage into the interior.
- Sunroof leaks
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 2 recalls and 503 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.8/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 75/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer and 2.6 expert ratings.
#1 Worst Year: 2012 Jeep Patriot (3.09 Rating)
The 2012 Patriot model ranks highest among the worst years, where the Patriot’s 2012 CVT transmission is the primary source of the problem. Several reports stated that they first noticed a whining sound, then noticed acceleration issues, and finally noticed an overheating alert. The average cost of repairs is roughly $3,940.
Another issue with the 2012 Patriot is that it is vulnerable to malfunctioning integrated power modules (TIPM). Problems with the headlights, power windows, blinkers, and more can all stem from a malfunctioning TIPM. Changing out a TIPM usually costs around $900.
Common Problems:
- Transmission failure
- Faulty TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module)
- Engine stalled
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 4 recalls and 339 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.9/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 79/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer and 2.5 expert ratings.
What Are The Best Years Of Jeep Patriot?
Some of the limited variants available for the Jeep Patriot were actually pretty high quality. These are 2013, 2015, and 2017.
#3 Best Year: 2015 Jeep Patriot (4.05 Rating)
The 2015 jeep patriot is one of the best patriots. It also got the place of #6th Small SUV of the year from J.D. Power. The 2015 Patriot’s rough exterior can be paired with one of two different four-wheel-drive configurations.
Five-seat compact crossover, choice of four-cylinder engines, manual or automatic transmission, Trail-Rated off-road edition, and flip-down liftgate speakers are some of the highlight features of the 2015 Jeep Patriot.
New 17-inch grey-finished wheels and a High Altitude Package with leather upholstery, a power sunroof, and a power driver’s seat were introduced as an upgrade.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 1 recall and 270 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 77/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer and 2.6 expert ratings.
Related: 23 Best & Worst Years Of Toyota RAV4 | 2023 Data Updated
#2 Best Year: 2013 Jeep Patriot (4.23 Rating)
The Jeep Patriot 2013 model is the next model on this list, coming in at number two. Having three distinct trim levels makes this car unique. You could have the sport, the latitude, or the limited edition version of this car. The rear disc brakes are included on the Limited trim level of this model.
Front-side airbags are another available safety feature on this car in all trim levels. These, along with the conventional airbags included with every model, significantly increase safety in the event of an accident.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 1 recall and 112 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 78/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer and 2.6 expert ratings.
#1 Best Year: 2017 Jeep Patriot (4.32 Rating)
The 2017 Jeep Patriot, the last year the vehicle was produced before being discontinued, is widely considered the best. Jeep has gotten a lot of things right with this portfolio for the 2017 model year, including a comprehensive collection of amenities, strong reliability scores, and good safety ratings.
Some recurring issues with reliability, such as a leaky sunroof, persist in the 2017 model year, but they are far less severe and less common. However, Owners have lauded this model’s superior off-road performance and convenient extras like flip-down tailboard speakers.
Even though it hasn’t had a complete makeover since its launch in 2007, the 2017 model is still the top pick.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 0 recalls and 41 complaints.
- Edmunds: 3.6/5.0 consumer ratings.
- J.D. Power: 76/100 consumer ratings.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.2/5.0 consumer and 3.0 expert ratings.
What Are The Common Problems Of Jeep Patriot?
- Engine stalls while driving
- Water leakage in interior
- Transmission overheats
- Check the engine light on
- High-pitched whine coming from the transmission
- The rusted engine cradle
- Leaky sunroof
- Faulty TIPM
FAQs
1. Why is Jeep Stop Making New Patriots?
Although the Patriot SUV was well-received, sales were lower than Jeep had hoped. Because of this, Jeep was forced to stop making the Patriot.
2. Are Jeep Patriots Good In Snow?
In a nutshell, yes, the Jeep Patriot handles snow quite well. The Jeep Patriot is equipped with the same Freedom Drive II drivetrain as the rest of Jeep’s lineup, allowing it to excel on any surface. Having good traction and an SUV-like height are also advantages in the snow.
3. What Are The Other Good Alternatives for Jeep Patriot?
Some of the best jeep patriot alternatives are:
- Jeep Compass
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Jeep Wrangler
- Jeep Cherokee
4. Jeep Patriot Vs. Compass: Which One Is Better?
Both the Patriot and the Compass share the same mechanical foundation. The former is typically more affordable, while the latter is slightly better furnished.
The new Compass boasts a more robust chassis, a more advanced suspension system, and a higher-quality cabin. You can’t go wrong with the Patriot or the Compass regarding value for money and overall quality. However, In comparison to the Patriot, we recommend the Compass.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to talk about the best and worst years of the Jeep Patriot without bringing up the 2017 model in the best category. Perhaps the lineup would be here if more vehicles had been created like 2017 and fewer like the 2012 Jeep Patriot, which had several serious problems.
Since the series has been discontinued, now is the time to get your hands on the 3 of the best models in the lineup and avoid the awful and challenging models from the worst section.
