Jeep Patriot problems
451 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 79 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 35,090–73,800 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
Six months after we purchased our 2016 Jeep Patriot Sport 4w the check engine light illuminated on and off for a couple of weeks. After that time frame it became a permanent fixture. As well as unpredictable and frequent stalling while driving or stopping at red…
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, a click sound and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made…
The contact owned a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled which caused another vehicle to crash into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The failure occurred on several different occasions where the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2016 Jeep Patriot reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 451 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Jeep Patriot is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
The 2016 Jeep Patriot is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 79 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 35,090–73,800 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 125 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,437 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,437 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Jeep Patriot has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Jeep Patriot?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 451 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.