Accelerator Pedal Before replacing accelerator pedal, be sure to follow fault code diagnostic procedures in service manual. Make sure to check wiring and connectors. P2122 and P2127 will set if accelerator pedal connector is disconnected during diagnosis. Make sure codes are active before replacing pedal. DTC P2299 is usually caused by a two footed driver and accelerator pedal should not be replaced for this fault.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Jeep Patriot cruise control problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Jeep Patriot have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 45,156 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Patriot | 17 |
| 2013 Patriot | 4 |
| 2014 Patriot | 40 |
| 2015 Patriot | 27 |
| 2016 Patriot (this page) | 20 |
What stands out
Among the 9 model years of Jeep Patriot in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 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 cruise control 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.
Accelerator Pedal Before replacing accelerator pedal, be sure to follow fault code diagnostic procedures in service manual. Make sure to check wiring and connectors. P2122 and P2127 will set if accelerator pedal connector is disconnected during diagnosis. Make sure codes are active before replacing pedal. DTC P2299 is usually caused by a two footed driver and accelerator pedal should not be replaced for this fault.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying Clean Radar Sensor in Front of Vehicle or DTC C1266 ACC Sensor Blinded, please verify that there is no blockage in front of the sensor. Blockage can occur from mud, ice, snow, front end damage, bracket damage, the sensor not attached to the bracket properly or an aftermarket fascia installed. This fault can occur intermittently in muddy or icy/snowy conditions and is considered normal operation. Under some circumstances, a misaligned sensor can also cause the C1266 DTC, please complete an alignment procedure. No replacement is required.~ 2) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displayi
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Part Description: Accelerator Pedal Issue Description: Vehicle has accelerator pedal fault code. Before replacing accelerator pedal, be sure to follow fault code diagnostic procedures in service manual. Make sure to check wiring and connectors. DTC P2299 is usually caused by a two footed driver and accelerator pedal should not be replaced for this fault.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Patriot complaints center on throttle and transmission control breaking in unpredictable ways. The most common failure is loss of acceleration — the engine runs but won't respond to the pedal, or the vehicle enters limp mode capping speed at 30–40 MPH. This happens without warning, often on highways, and triggers the red lightning bolt (electronic throttle control), check engine, and traction control lights together.
Owners also report random unintended acceleration from stops or idle, surging forward without pedal input. One narrative describes the vehicle accelerating to 40 MPH while parked at a traffic light. A separate issue involves cruise control locking on and refusing to shut off, forcing brake application to stop.
Engine stalling recurs frequently when accelerating, sometimes resolving after a restart, sometimes not. RPMs occasionally drop to zero mid-drive with zero throttle response, then restore themselves. One owner reports a transmission control module short circuit causing gear slip and high revs with almost no forward motion.
Wheel speed sensors and ABS communication losses appear in multiple reports, triggering stalls and power loss. One dealer explicitly told an owner that a bad throttle body is common on these vehicles and dangerous to drive.
Owners report little success getting repairs completed. Several say dealers and independent shops cannot diagnose the problem. Manufacturer support has been minimal — some received brush-offs stating no recall applied.
Same Jeep Patriot cruise control reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Failure – Loss of Acceleration
Engine loses power or refuses to accelerate when pedal is depressed. Vehicle may enter limp mode, limiting speed to 30–40 MPH or stalling entirely. Electronic throttle control warning light (red lightning bolt) illuminates along with check engine and traction control lights.
When: Reported across mileage range: 23,000 to 97,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of acceleration despite pressing pedal; Vehicle stalls or enters limp mode; Red lightning bolt warning light; Check engine light; Traction control light; Vehicle coasts to stop with no power; Repeated failures after restart
Codes mentioned: P2173, P2127, P2138
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic throttle control replacement mentioned by dealers. Acceleration sensor replacement attempted without resolution in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no recall was associated with the vehicle and offered no further assistance. One owner reported lemon law application and litigation ongoing.
Unintended Acceleration with Cruise Control
Vehicle accelerates independently while cruise control is active. Driver unable to deactivate cruise control; brake pedal application required to regain control. Incident occurred at 45,000 miles.
When: 45,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Independent acceleration without driver input; Cruise control cannot be deactivated; Vehicle continues to accelerate; Requires brake pedal to regain control
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not made aware of this failure.
Random Unintended Acceleration – No Warning Lights
Vehicle surges forward or accelerates on its own from stop or while idling, without any warning lights. RPMs may jump erratically. Pattern is unpredictable and occurs across all driving conditions.
When: Reported from purchase onwards; one case noted at 65,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Random surging from stop or at idle; RPMs jump without accelerator input; Vehicle accelerates to 40 MPH unintended; No warning lights present; Unpredictable pattern; Occurs during all driving conditions
RPM Dropout and Loss of Throttle Response
RPMs randomly drop to zero and vehicle fails to respond when accelerator is pressed. Engine remains running but throttle is unresponsive. Condition resolves on its own after a period of time. No warning lights or diagnostic codes are triggered.
When: Reported in traffic and highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: RPMs randomly drop to zero; No response to accelerator pedal; Engine continues to run; No warning lights or codes; Condition resolves intermittently; Occurs in traffic and on highway
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose the problem.
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Short Circuit
TCM short-circuits unexpectedly, causing transmission gears to slip and RPMs to rev high with minimal acceleration. Vehicle becomes difficult to drive and owner reports fear of engine damage.
When: Not specified; owner states condition prevents safe driving
Symptoms owners cite: TCM short circuit; Transmission gear slip; High RPM rev with minimal acceleration; Lost TCM communication; Vehicle slowing while RPMs high; Poor acceleration response
Codes mentioned: Lost TCM Communication
Wheel Speed Sensor / ABS System Failure
Passenger side wheel sensor failure triggers engine stall, jerking, and power loss at highway speeds. ABS and traction control warning lights illuminate. Repair of wheel sensor does not resolve recurring failures.
When: 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stall at highway speed; Vehicle jerking; Gradual loss of power; ABS warning light; Traction control warning light; Failure recurs after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger side wheel sensor replacement performed at dealer; failure recurred within two days.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted; case manager promised but case number not provided. No resolution.
Engine Stall with Hesitation and Jerking
Engine stalls intermittently when accelerating or driving, often accompanied by hesitation and jerky motion. Stalling comes and goes without pattern but often triggered during acceleration. Check engine light illuminates.
When: Reported one month after purchase; ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls during acceleration; Hesitation when stepping on gas; Jerky motion forward and backward; Stalling on highways and city streets; Intermittent pattern; Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Oil changes kept up to date; diagnostics run with no clear cause found.
Anti-Lock Brake Module Communication Loss
Vehicle loses communication with ABS module while stationary and in motion. Related to wheel distance and speed sensor dropout.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Lost contact with ABS module; Lost wheel distance signal; Lost speed signal; Occurs stationary and in motion
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I purchased the vehicle 4 months ago, and this began at the end of September. Engine stalls out when driving down the highway, check engine light and road hazard lights come on and car trying to accelerate itself at times and other times won’t go over 40 mph. If you let off the brake the car immediately launches forward. I have almost been hit as the car stalls out of no where. I can pull over…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2016 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 cruise control problem on the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 35,790 and 66,000 miles, with the median around 45,156. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,790; a quarter make it past 66,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2016/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.