2012 Jeep PATRIOT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
354 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
55,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 257 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 114 of 354 complaints (32.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 90 | 25.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 56 | 15.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 47 | 13.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 23 | 6.5% |
| Braking behavior | 19 | 5.4% |
| Steering behavior | 19 | 5.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 114 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 86 |
| Power Train | 62 |
| Air Bags | 57 |
| Electrical System | 44 |
| Seat Belts | 37 |
| Unknown Or Other | 30 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 |
Engine: 114; Fuel/Propulsion System: 86; Power Train: 62; Air Bags: 57; Electrical System: 44; Seat Belts: 37; Unknown Or Other: 30; Vehicle Speed Control: 28
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 76 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 44 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 46 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 52 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 36 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 76; 25,000 to 49,999: 44; 50,000 to 74,999: 46; 75,000 to 99,999: 52; 100,000 to 149,999: 36; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (76). 97 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2013 | 33 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 51 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2011: 1; 2012: 30; 2013: 33; 2014: 22; 2015: 24; 2016: 22; 2017: 61; 2018: 36; 2019: 51; 2020: 25; 2021: 16; 2022: 11; 2023: 9; 2024: 2; 2025: 7; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 90 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 56 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 47 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10464449 · 2012-07-06 (July 6, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE ENGINE STARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,300. UPDATED 8/6/12 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 5,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10464745 · 2012-07-09 (July 9, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,475.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,475 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481257 · 2012-10-20 (October 20, 2012)
THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS VERY SIMILAR. THIS TIME I WAS COMING BACK FROM ARIZONA INTO CALIFORNIA AND I WAS ON THE 15 SOUTH BETWEEN BARSTOW AND VICTORVILLE. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS PREVIOUSLY, BUT HAD BEEN CANCELLED AND I HAD TRAVELED APPR. 10 MILES AFTER CANCELING IT. WITHOUT WARNING THE THROTTLE REVVED AND BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE CAR STALLED AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I PULLED OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER. …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10487432 · 2012-12-05 (December 5, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY REVVED UP AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THEN STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS A FIVE SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFATCURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DECIDED TO SEND ENGINEERS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE ASSESSMENT OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.PMB
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481141 · 2012-10-19 (October 19, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS APPROACHING AN OFF RAMP AND TAPPED THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TRIED RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINES BETWEEN THE FUEL TANKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481222 · 2012-10-20 (October 20, 2012)
ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT RESTART. ELECTRICAL SEEMS TO KEEP WORKING AND ENGINE WILL TURN OVER BUT NOT RESTART. LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND IT MAY RESTART. HAPPENED 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME HAD THE JEEP TOWED TO DEALER AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. ON THE 3RD BREAKDOWN THE DEALER INSTALLED THESE NEW PARTS MODULE FUEL PUMP, MODULE FUEL PUMP LEVEL UNIT, LEVEL UNI-AUXILIARY UNIT, TUBE-FUEL TRANSFER, FUEL MODULE SEAL. I HAVE DROVE THE JEEP A COUPLE THOUSAND MILE SINCE THE REPAIR. ITS HARD TO TELL…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,927 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10440302 · 2011-12-18 (December 18, 2011)
I CALLED KOON JEEP SALES REP, TO INFORM HIM OF THE LEAK THROUGH THE DOME LIGHT, WANTED KNOW IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT! MY JEEP CORPORATE CASE #[XXX], I INFORMED MY JEEP CUSTOMER CARE THAT I WANT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, HE SAID I DIDN'T MEET THE REQUIREMENT, REFERED ME TO BBB AND ATTORNEY STATE GENERAL. THE SUGGESTED PROCESS THROUGH ATTORNEY STATE GENERAL IS TO WRITE A CERTIFIED LETTER WITH SIGNATURE REQUIRED. I CALLED CORPORATE ASKING FOR MAILING ADDRESS, IT COULD NOT BE PROVIDED DUE TO THE DEPARTMENT HANDLING MY CASE WAS CLOSE AND TO CALL BA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10440302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481113 · 2012-10-19 (October 19, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS STARTED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAIL…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,783 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481144 · 2012-10-19 (October 19, 2012)
I WAS GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 68 WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AND WHEN I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO KICK THE CRUISE OFF IT SLOWLY DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART,SO HAD IT TOWED AND WHEN IT CAME OFF THE TRUCK IT RESTARTED(ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER). MY DEALER CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMPS(2) AND FUEL LINES BETWEEN TANKS, THIS HAS BEEN DONE BUT I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT MUCH SINCE. I HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT THIS OR SIMILAR THINGS HAD BEEN OCCURRING WITH THIS MODEL SO I WANTED TO PUT MY 2 CENTS IN AND MAYBE HERE IF THERE WAS A DIFFEREN…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10491615 · 2013-01-07 (January 7, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUSE CONTROL ON DOING 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE IN MY JEEP PATRIOT STALLED OUT COMPLETELY. THE ELECTRONIC PARTS OF THE VEHICLE STAYED ON, AND I STILL HAD POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE FOR ROUGHLY 20 MINUTES. THEN IS FINALLY STARTED UP. I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT IT FOR THREE DAYS, AND SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY HAVE INSISTED EVERYTHING IS FINE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,414 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10494748 · 2013-01-25 (January 25, 2013)
THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST WEEK AND A HALF: TODAY, WHILE DRIVING (LUCKILY COMING TO A STOP) MY JEEP BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. IT RESTARTED AND DROVE NORMALLY. LAST WEEKEND, WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST STEERING (SOON REALIZING THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SHUT OFF). AGAIN, IT RESTARTED AND DROVE NORMALLY. HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT A HIGHER SPEED I'M SURE THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE THAT CAUSING CONCE…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,418 miles reported. Look up ODI 10494748 at NHTSA ↗