Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Jeep Patriot electrical problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 10 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Jeep Patriot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗KEY, BLANK WITH TRANSMITTER Please note that after programming the new key integrated transmitter that Lock, Unlock and Remote Start will all function as expected but the Remote Start Cancel button requires a double (2x) button press versus the original single (1x) button press to cancel the remote start function and turn the vehicle off.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Diagnostic And System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following DTCs have been set: P0335 - Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit. U0140 - Lost Communication With Body Control Module (TIPM). P219A - Air-Fuel Ratio Cylinder Imbalance Bank 1.The following software enhancements are also available: Engine is hard to start at temperatures -29°C (-20°F) for vehicles utilizing E15 fuel only. Cruise control enhancements.In addition, customers may report that the vehicle has f
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report multiple, intermittent electrical failures that dealerships cannot diagnose. The most serious incident: a rear window short-circuited in July 2016, causing smoke and fire that required firefighters to disconnect wires. Water intrusion from overhead lights and the sunroof is endemic—one owner took the vehicle to the dealer three times over two years without resolution, water poured onto the dash and into carpets during rain, and ruined the stereo and computer components.
Control systems fail unpredictably: door locks cycle on their own, wipers activate automatically, cruise control and radio controls go dead, and all dashboard warning lights illuminate without corresponding faults. The engine has stalled at highway speeds (60 mph dropping below 30 mph) with multiple warning lights, jerking on acceleration, and abnormal noises. One owner's engine was replaced at 60,000 miles due to a coolant system malfunction; Chrysler refused warranty coverage for a subsequent engine failure. A telematics modem is suspected in some warning-light issues.
No-start conditions strand owners, and there are reports of automatic transmission overheating. An NHTSA recall for the occupant restraint controller was issued but no remedy was yet available when complaints were filed. Dealership service has been largely ineffective, and Chrysler has denied warranty claims, stating vehicles were excluded from campaigns and recalls.
Same Jeep Patriot electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Window short circuit and fire
Rear passenger side window short-circuited, causing smoke and fire hazard in the vehicle interior. Owner reported burning smell, smoke filled the backseat, and firefighters had to disconnect the wires to stop the burning.
When: Summer 2014 onset, fire incident July 15, 2016
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent window operation; Burning smell while driving; Smoke filling backseat; Wires burning
Repairs/costs cited: Firefighters disconnected the wires; dealership inspection and manufacturer letter of non-fault issued
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler deemed themselves not at fault for the issues
Electrical power surges and control failures
Multiple electrical control systems failed including door locks cycling on their own, horn non-functional, steering wheel controls (cruise control, radio controls) non-operational. Owner also reports vehicle power surges.
When: Ongoing issues since purchase December 2012
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks constantly locking and unlocking without input; Horn failure; Steering wheel controls (cruise, radio) failure; Power surges
Engine stalling and limp-mode events
Vehicle experiences sudden loss of power and stalling while driving at highway speeds. Warning indicators and instrument panel gauges illuminate during events. One owner had engine replaced at 60,000 miles due to coolant system malfunction; manufacturer refused warranty coverage for subsequent engine failure.
When: Mileage 29,580 to 44,346 miles; engine stall 2016 at 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden speed reduction from 60 mph to below 30 mph; Vehicle stalling while driving; Jerking during acceleration; Multiple warning indicators illuminating; Electronic throttle warning light; Check engine light; Electronic stability control warning; Abnormal noise during failure event
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle warning, Check engine, Electronic stability control
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had engine replaced March 2016; Chrysler refused to cover subsequent engine failure under warranty despite coolant system defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer indicated vehicle excluded from warranty campaigns and not included in recalls; warranty denied for engine replacement
Water intrusion from overhead lights and sunroof
Water leaks from overhead dashboard lights and sunroof, entering the vehicle interior during rain. Water pours onto the dashboard, seeps into radio and front carpets, and pours onto driver or passenger depending on vehicle turn. Has fried stereo and computer components. Three dealership visits failed to diagnose or repair.
When: Occurs during rain events, timing unpredictable (builds up and releases)
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking from overhead dash light; Water pouring onto dashboard during turns; Water seeping into front carpets; Water entering radio compartment; Distracting visual/physical presence while driving; Front interior soaked
Repairs/costs cited: Three dealership visits over two years; problem undiagnosed and unrepaired; has fried stereo and computer
Exterior lighting failure
Front and rear exterior lights fail to illuminate during operation. Event occurred concurrent with engine stalling and electronic control failures.
When: At 29,580 miles; occurred at 40 mph during stall event
Symptoms owners cite: Rear exterior lights do not illuminate; Front exterior lights do not illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer but could not be diagnosed; not repaired
Accessory control intermittent failures
Multiple accessory systems fail intermittently and may or may not restore function. Affected systems include radio, wipers, turn signals, blower fan, and cruise control.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio intermittently fails; Wipers intermittently fail; Turn signals intermittently fail; Blower fan intermittently fails; Cruise control intermittently fails
Dashboard warning light malfunction and telematics issue
All dashboard warning lights illuminate randomly without corresponding failures. Owner reports issue related to telematics modem where dashboard lights activate without cause. Dealership unable to diagnose.
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights illuminating randomly; No corresponding system failures; ABS light on; Traction control light on; Brake light on; 4x4 light on
Repairs/costs cited: Telematics/modem issue suspected
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Safety Recall #16V-668 #S61 issued for Occupant Restraint Controller; remedy not yet available. Dealership unable to fix telematics modem issue
Automatic wiper activation
Wipers activate on their own without driver input.
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers turning on automatically
Transmission overheating
Transmission overheats during operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission overheating
No-start condition
Vehicle will not start sometimes, leaving owner stranded.
When: Sometimes; one instance left owner stranded on freeway late at night
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Transmission overheats. Wipers turn on automatic. Patriot wont start sometimes. Patriot shuts off randomly. Cluster info lights come on randomly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Jeep patriot. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled, jerked, and the exterior rear and front lights did not illuminate. The electronic throttle, check engine, and, electronic stability control warning indicators illuminated. In addition the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was…
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 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 electrical problem on the 2013 Jeep Patriot?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 42,747 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2013/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.