Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Jeep Patriot powertrain problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Jeep Patriot powertrain generates serious, recurring complaints across multiple failure modes. CVT transmissions are the most common culprit: they lose power, refuse to shift, overheat with high-pitched whining, and die between 46,000 and 115,000 miles, with replacement costs of $4,400 to $7,000. One owner discovered the transmission had already been replaced once without disclosure before failure recurred at 70,000 miles. Multiple repair shops confirm this is a predictable failure pattern between 90,000 and 100,000 miles, and dealers replace failed units with identical defective parts.
Stalling plagues owners across a wide mileage range, happening at traffic lights and stop signs, sometimes repeatedly for years. Vehicles surge, shudder, drop RPM below 500, and die—yet dealerships cannot diagnose the problem despite extended service visits. One owner experienced stalls since 2007 into 2013 despite a lifetime powertrain warranty he could not use.
Engine knock requiring full replacement has been reported at 60,000 miles on properly maintained vehicles. U-joints and front suspension fail by 57,000 miles causing clunking, dangerous loss of control risk, and premature tire wear. Clutch master cylinders fail with parts nationally backordered; worse, they share a reservoir with the brake system, creating a dual failure risk. Additionally, accelerator dead spots, shifter lockup, unexplained deceleration, and stalling after refueling round out the reported defects.
Same Jeep Patriot powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Failure
CVT transmissions fail prematurely, losing power and refusing to shift while driving. Units overheat at highway speeds with high-pitched whining and RPM redlining. Owners report replacements needed between 46,000 and 115,000 miles, often for the second time on the same vehicle.
When: 46,000 to 115,000 miles; one case at 70,000 miles with prior undisclosed replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving; Transmission will not shift; High-pitched whining from engine; RPM redlining at cruising speed; Transmission overheating light illuminates; Vehicle slows on its own; Transmission failure to respond
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement costs cited as $4,400 to $7,000; multiple owners report dealers replacing with same defective part; repair shops confirm this is a common failure pattern between 90,000–100,000 miles on manual and CVT variants
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep dealerships deny warranty coverage once 36,000-mile warranty expires; manufacturers state no recalls exist; dealership refuses repair assistance on recently purchased used vehicles
Engine Knock and Premature Failure
Engines develop loud knocking at low mileage and fail completely despite proper maintenance. One owner reports engine failure at 60,000 miles requiring full replacement; dealership service managers expressed surprise at such early failure.
When: 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rumbling and knocking under hood; Engine knock; Loss of power
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required; owner had performed oil changes every 3,000 miles and maintained vehicle per manufacturer specifications
Stalling and Idle Issues
Vehicles stall at traffic lights and stop signs, sometimes repeatedly over years of ownership. Engine shudders, RPMs dip below 500, and stalling occurs intermittently without diagnostic trouble codes. Issues persist across multiple dealership visits.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; one case ongoing since 2007 into 2013 (6 years); mileage varies from low to 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls at stop lights and stop signs; Engine shuddering before stall; RPM dip below 500; Intermittent stalling with surging motions; Shuddering stops when shifter moved to neutral; Erratic idle speed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to locate problem despite extended diagnostic periods; no trouble codes displayed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep dealerships cannot find root cause; one owner has lifetime powertrain warranty but cannot obtain service due to inability to diagnose issue
Accelerator Flat Spot and Throttle Response Failure
Accelerator exhibits dead zones where light pedal input produces no engine response. Engine stalls or remains at low RPM until pedal is released and reapplied. Problem worsens in wet weather conditions.
When: Timing unspecified; noted as intermittent initially, becoming more frequent with rain exposure
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator flat spot (no response to light pressure); Engine failure to respond to throttle input; Engine stall on light acceleration; Low RPM hold; Rough engine idle in rain; Erratic idle speed
Stalling After Fueling
Vehicle stalls immediately after filling gas tank, requiring key off/on cycle to restart. Pattern repeats every time fuel is added. Multiple owners report this issue.
When: Immediately after refueling
Symptoms owners cite: Stall while idling after gas fill-up; Requires key-off, key-on restart cycle; Recurring every fill-up
Clutch Master Cylinder Failure
Hydraulic clutch master cylinders fail, preventing gear disengagement. One critical design flaw: the clutch system shares a reservoir with the brake master cylinder, meaning clutch failure could compromise braking ability. Parts are nationally backordered, indicating systemic supply issue.
When: Mileage not specified; one case at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Inability to disengage transmission; Vehicle will not change gears; Clutch system failure
Repairs/costs cited: Full clutch system replacement cost cited as $1,315.92; parts on nationwide backorder; technician confirmed this is a known problem across Jeep platform
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Jeep refuses to investigate or assist
U-Joint and Front-End Assembly Failure
U-joints fail at low mileage, causing clunking and popping from front suspension. Dealerships confirm Patriots are known for this defect and replace parts with identical defective units. Front-end failure creates risk of loss of vehicle control.
When: 57,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking and popping from front driver side; Noise over speed bumps at low speed; Noise after acceleration from stop; Aggressive tire wear on new tires
Repairs/costs cited: Front-end assembly replacement totaled approximately $1,200; also caused immediate aggressive wear on brand-new tires requiring replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership acknowledges Patriots are known for bad U-joints but replaces with same defective parts; warns of risk of complete front-end failure
Manual Transmission Failure
Manual transmissions die prematurely, typically between 90,000 and 115,000 miles. Repair shops and dealers confirm this is a common pattern. Failed parts are permanent and require full transmission replacement at high cost.
When: 90,000 to 115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete transmission failure; Inability to shift gears
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement cost cited as $4,400; repair shops confirm this is a widespread pattern on this model; failed component cannot be repaired
Unexplained Deceleration and Bearing Failure
Vehicle independently decelerates from highway speed without driver input. Dealer suspects bearing defect but does not repair. Failure recurs and manufacturer offers no assistance.
When: 48,000 miles (initial); recurred by 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unexplained deceleration from 55 MPH to 45 MPH; No warning before deceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer suspected bearing defect but did not repair vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offers no assistance; no recall available
Park-to-Neutral Rollback
Vehicle rolls backward when shifted into neutral at low speed. Dealership states this is designed behavior, creating safety risk on slopes or inclines.
When: 19,070 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward when in neutral; Loss of vehicle control in neutral
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership states transmission was designed to perform this way
Brake System Lockup and Loss of Control
Front tires lock and skid to a stop while driving at highway speed, causing sudden deceleration and driver injury. Incident resulted in facial impact and chest injury.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Front tires stop turning; Sudden skid to stop while driving 45–50 MPH; Complete loss of vehicle control
Shifter Lockup and Loss of Power
Shifter locks while driving at moderate speed, preventing gear shifts and causing sudden power loss. Vehicle loses all power mid-drive. Incident reported on highway creating dangerous situation requiring vehicle to cool for extended time.
When: 40–110,000 miles range reported
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving; Shifter locks without warning; Transmission will not shift; Vehicle must cool before operation resumes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer claims no recall exists despite independent mechanic and owner requests for information
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 Jeep Patriot?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2007 Jeep Patriot?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 57,500 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 70,053. A quarter of owners report trouble before 57,500; a quarter make it past 110,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Jeep/Patriot.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.