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 ↗2009 Jeep Patriot powertrain problems
moderate 42 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
42
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 42 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Jeep Patriot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 42 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed Replacing OE transmission 05106789A$/68042789A$ with reman transmission R8142073A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference with shift lever
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman transmission R8142074A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference with shift lever
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Jeep Patriot powertrain complaints center on two major themes: CVT transmission overheating and control module failures.
The transmission overheat issue is the most consistent pattern. Owners report that during normal highway driving, often after just 15 minutes, a transmission overheat light illuminates and the vehicle enters limp mode, reducing speed to 35 MPH or lower without driver input. This happens in cold and hot weather alike. Replacing transmission fluid or adding an aftermarket cooler does not fix it. One owner documented hundreds of similar reports from 2007–2014 Patriots and concluded complete transmission replacement is the only remedy; others cite KOHO bearing failures as a possible root cause. Multiple dealerships and transmission shops have told owners they cannot diagnose the problem.
Engine stalling occurs unpredictably at various speeds—on the highway, at traffic lights, while decelerating—sometimes without warning lights and sometimes with all dashboard lights illuminated. The vehicle usually restarts, but failures recur repeatedly. Several owners reference NHTSA Campaign 08V528000, but many find their VINs are not included in the recall despite having identical failures.
Additional failures include gear shifter locking in park, transmission grinding and violent vibration, manual clutch failure as early as 14,000 miles, and severe acceleration hesitation with transmission slipping. K-frame corrosion and rear subframe cracking appear in some complaints; a 2007 Patriot was recalled for this defect with unlimited warranty extension, but 2009 and later models with the same failure were not recalled. Warranty denials are common—customers told their lifetime powertrain warranty expired because they missed a required 5-year inspection deadline, even when Chrysler failed to send written notice of the deadline.
Same Jeep Patriot powertrain reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission overheating and limp-mode activation
CVT enters limp mode with transmission overheat warning light, forcing severe speed reduction (down to 35 MPH or lower) during normal highway driving, often within 15 minutes. Vehicle slows uncontrollably even in cool temperatures; not fixed by oil changes or aftermarket coolers. One owner created a website documenting hundreds of similar reports across 2007–2014 model years. Only known remedy is complete transmission replacement.
When: As early as 15 minutes of driving; occurs repeatedly on highway trips and long-distance driving
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission overheat warning light illuminates; Vehicle forced into limp mode at 35 MPH or slower; Severe deceleration without driver input; RPMs race or surge; Whirring/straining noise from engine; Occurs even in cold/normal temperatures
Codes mentioned: P0218 (High Temp Operation Activated), Transmission control module (TCM) faults
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission oil replacement and aftermarket cooler installation ineffective; complete CVT transmission replacement required. Estimated cost ~$4,000 for parts and labor per one owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships and transmission shops consistently unable to diagnose or resolve; NHTSA Campaign 08V528000 applies to some VINs but not others; no recall issued despite widespread reports
Engine stalling and loss of power under driving conditions
Engine stalls unexpectedly at various speeds (highway, city streets, traffic lights, while decelerating) with or without warning lights. Vehicle may restart after brief wait or multiple restart attempts. Occurs multiple times over vehicle's life. Mechanics often unable to diagnose root cause; several complaints link to NHTSA Campaign 08V528000 but VINs not included in recall coverage.
When: Throughout ownership; incidents at 18,500 miles to 150,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine stall while driving; Vehicle loses power at various speeds; Intermittent stalling at traffic lights and stop signs; Dashboard warning lights may illuminate (transmission indicator, check engine, all lights); Vehicle restarts after waiting or multiple attempts
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 08V528000 (Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module), Check engine light codes (some unreadable)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector flushing and throttle cleaning attempted without success; multiple independent mechanics unable to diagnose; no repairs completed in most cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Many VINs excluded from NHTSA Campaign 08V528000 despite matching failure description; manufacturer offers no alternative remedy when VIN not covered
Transmission will not shift out of park or into gear
Gear shifter becomes locked in park position or vehicle will not shift into drive/other gears when started. May occur suddenly with no prior warning. Malfunction indicator light often illuminates. Vehicle immobilized and requires towing.
When: At various mileages: 197,000 miles reported; can occur early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Gear shifter stuck in park—will not move; Vehicle will not shift into drive; Malfunction/check engine warning indicator illuminates; Vehicle fails to move despite being in drive
Codes mentioned: Power control module (PCM/TCM) fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Power control module replacement required; vehicle requires towing; no repairs completed in reported cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer assistance offered; owners referred to independent mechanics or NHTSA
Manual transmission clutch premature failure
Manual transmission clutch fails well before typical service life expectancy. Vehicle exhibits whining noise and hard acceleration/gear locking issues before complete clutch failure. Dealership claims Jeep installed a Mercedes transmission not intended for the Patriot, causing premature pump wear.
When: 14,000 miles (14 months); failure occurs before warranty expiration of 12,000 miles/12 months in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining noise; Gears difficult to lock in properly; Poor acceleration response; Clutch completely worn out
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: New clutch installation cost $1,060; dealership diagnosis suggests transmission design mismatch (Mercedes unit installed in incompatible application)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/Jeep warranty department refused to assist despite failure occurring near warranty expiration; no recall issued
Severe acceleration hesitation, jerking, and transmission slipping
Vehicle hesitates, jerks, and bucks during acceleration from standstill or while driving. Transmission slips intermittently when accelerating quickly. Manual transmission pops out of first gear with loud noise. Engine response lags unpredictably. Check engine light stays on for transmission control module (TCM) fault. One manual transmission was already replaced once but problem recurs.
When: Throughout ownership; intermittent after vehicle sits in park; repeated on subsequent drives
Symptoms owners cite: Severe acceleration jerk between 5–60 MPH; Transmission slips when accelerating quickly from park; Manual transmission pops out of first gear with loud noise; Engine response lag and bucking without setting code; Slow acceleration since purchase; Jerky acceleration as if fuel starvation
Codes mentioned: TCM control light remains on; no other codes often set
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel system cleaned; one manual transmission replaced but problem persisted; no permanent resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance or recall issued; check engine light returns repeatedly
Violent vibration and transmission noise with grinding
Vehicle vibrates severely during braking or acceleration. Loud grinding noise from transmission that worsens over time. Vehicle may not shift into gear or turn on. Transmission eventually becomes inoperable. One case involved Mercedes transmission improperly installed in Patriot.
When: Starting at 96,000 miles; failures occur at 59,000–60,000 miles in other cases
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise from transmission; Severe vibration during braking or acceleration; Vehicle fails to accelerate; RPMs remain high (stuck at 5); Transmission will not shift into gear; Vehicle will not turn on; Problem gradually worsens over time
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; shops note transmission is defective and non-functional
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance offered; manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA; no repairs completed
Rear subframe/K-frame corrosion leading to structural failure
K-frame or rear subframe corrodes severely, developing large holes and cracking under normal driving. One 2007 Patriot was covered under recall (Campaign 23-012-14) for identical corrosion issue with indefinite warranty extension, but 2009 and later model years with same failure not recalled despite being same defect. Results in violent vibration and imminent safety hazard.
When: Within 6 years of ownership (reported on 2009 model after 6-year ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Noticeable vibration while driving; Large holes visible in K-frame from corrosion; Rear subframe cracking; Rear wheel misalignment (axle pops out of differential)
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Requires new subframe/K-frame; one owner forced to purchase new vehicle due to safety concerns; repair cost not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for 2007 Patriot (Campaign 23-012-14) with indefinite warranty due to K-frame corrosion; 2009 and later model years with identical defect not recalled; Chrysler refused to extend coverage to non-recalled model years despite documented design flaw
Powertrain warranty denial based on missed inspection deadline
Customers with lifetime powertrain warranty told warranty expired when they missed a required transmission inspection deadline (5 years from purchase). Dealership verbally told owner to have transmission inspected before 50,000 miles but did not clearly communicate hard 5-year deadline. Owner inspected transmission multiple times before deadline but not aware inspection had to occur by exact 5-year anniversary. Chrysler failed to send required advance notice; blamed owner for not reading owner's manual thoroughly.
When: 5 years from purchase (April 2009 to April 2014 for one 2009 model); requires inspection before 50,000 miles and by 5-year anniversary
Symptoms owners cite: Warranty denied despite compliance with mileage-based inspection requirement; Owner did not receive written notice of 5-year deadline
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; warranty rescinded, leaving owners liable for any future powertrain repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lifetime powertrain warranty cancelled for missing 5-year deadline inspection; Chrysler claims it is customer responsibility to read warranty terms in owner's manual and remember 5-year deadline; manufacturer refused to send reminder notice or take responsibility for lack of customer notification
Synthesized from 42 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I was in motion and the trans temp light light up and my car began to stale in the middle of the highway. I was traveling alone and 4 hours away . This was very dangerous. I could have been hit by a passing truck. Luckily, I was in the left lane and was able to park on the shoulder. I had to search my safety manual to understand what was happening. I had to wait over 30 mins for the light to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep patriot. While decelerating to a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart on the first attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v528000 (power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Jeep Patriot?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 42 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 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 61,000 and 127,000 miles, with the median around 96,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 61,000; a quarter make it past 127,000. 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/2009/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.