Common Jeep Patriot Faults: Reliability, Problems And More!
The Jeep Patriot is a compact crossover SUV that features Jeep’s distinctive boxy design and distinctive front grille. Like many vehicles in the FCA lineup, Jeeps don’t typically hold their value as well as other brands, like Toyota. However, this car is not free of faults. Know the common faults of the Jeep Patriot before buying one!
The resale value of a 2017 Jeep Patriot is expected to depreciate by around 37% over five years. The Patriot is in the bottom 70 to 80 percentile of vehicles when it comes to resale value. This article will cover the reliability of the Jeep Patriot and common problems its owners have experienced since the model’s first release in 2007.
How good is the Jeep Patriot?
Despite its unexceptional resale value, the Jeep Patriot has an above-average reliability rating. Major repairs to the Jeep Patriot are rare, and the frequency of visits to repair shops is 0.3 times per year, which is average.
Earlier Jeep Patriot models built from 2007 to 2010 are known to have transmission issues. As a result, Patriot models are quite cheap on the used car market. However, recent Patriot models, such as those made after 2013, have fewer reported issues.
Common Jeep Patriot Faults
The Jeep Patriot is reliable, but has its fair share of problems depending on the model year. Here are the common Jeep Patriot faults that you may encounter:
1. Ball joint failures
Patriot ball joints are prone to failure . If you use the vehicle off-road regularly, this can be a major cause of these parts failing prematurely. Despite this, they are not of the best build quality. If you hear a knocking noise coming from the front suspension when driving over speed bumps, or cornering, then the ball joints are the most likely cause. You will need to install replacement ball joints to rectify the problem.
2. Tire pressure problem
Did the tire pressure light appear on your instrument panel? Does this happen on cold mornings and go away when the vehicle warms up? If you answered yes to both questions, you should be aware that tire pressure sensors don’t work very well in cold conditions .
Tire pressure drops when it’s cold, so it’s a good idea to check the pressure regularly. You may have to put a little more air in the tires when it’s cold. If this doesn’t fix the problem, it may be that one of the sensors is bad and needs to be replaced.
3. Premature CVT failure
Problems with the Jeep Patriot’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) start with whining noises, overheat warnings and acceleration issues. CVTs are a type of transmission in which belts are used instead of gears to change gear ratios.
Owners have reported that this problem occurs as early as three weeks after purchase. The issue caused the SUV to have trouble accelerating past 40 mph. This is a major problem, as it prevents drivers from exceeding certain speeds, which can be a major inconvenience, especially on the highway.
Owners have also reported that their vehicles lose power when driving uphill. In the most severe cases, power gradually decreases until they are forced to stop and tow the vehicle.
It’s not clear what is causing the CVT problems, but owners point to poor design. Drivers have shared solutions to the problem on the forums, ignoring the CVT maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual and immediately replacing the transmission fluid filters.
Users also recommend changing the CVT oil pan with one that includes a drain plug. At the first sign of hearing a whine, some owners recommend replacing the fluid.
This problem occurs on the 2007 to 2010 models of the Jeep Patriot. The problem seems to be very common, as there are more than 800 people who have reported this problem. As a result, the late 2014 model year Jeep Patriot changed its transmission system to a traditional torque converter automatic transmission instead of a CVT system.
4. Manual transmission failures
Jeep Patriot models from 2007 to 2010 also have problems with their manual transmission. Luckily, the problems with the manual transmission version of the Patriot aren’t as bad as its CVT version. But unlike the CVT problem, where gear grinding and transmission overheating are a constant, people have different experiences with this problem.
Some have reported that their vehicle shakes and makes a screeching noise when they shift into third gear. Some have difficulty shifting into first and second gear . Other drivers say their shifters stick out of position, while other people say their shifters stick.
This problem can distract the driver during acceleration and can lead to an accident. Some owners have had to rebuild the entire transmission due to damage caused by this problem. One owner who had purchased a lifetime warranty had already replaced the five-speed transmission three times. Troubleshooting may involve replacing the transmission synchronizer rings.
5. Problems of water leaks in the cabin
Many models of the Jeep Patriot have been known to have cabin leaks. Owners have reported water entering through the sunroof, while others say it entered through the vehicle’s dome light.
This issue appears to be widespread on many of the Patriot model years , particularly the 2008 to 2016 model years. While this may not be a generally disruptive issue with the vehicle, it can cause potential electrical issues and mold buildup inside. from the cabin.
Owners have reported that the leaks can be so severe that water can drip all over the control panel and radio. The floorboards also get soaked.
The water has also shorted out the vehicle’s dome lights and infotainment system, prompting further repairs. Even newer models have this problem. Owners on the forums are adamant about calling Jeep to take responsibility and fix the problem.
Among the many reports made, only a few owners seem to have fixed the problem by realigning the sunroof, checking all grommets and plugs, or replacing the sunroof drain tubes.
In conclusion
Knowledge of these issues can be a deciding factor if you are considering buying a Jeep Patriot. However, it is good to note that most of these problems are only common on older models of the Jeep Patriot. Do your research before purchasing a specific model so that you are prepared to deal with any potential issues that may arise.
