NHTSA has 354 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Jeep Patriot[1]. The engine group is named in 119 of them[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups on file, biggest first, as owners reported them to NHTSA.
- Engine. 119 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the engine shutting off while driving at highway speed, sometimes refusing to restart right away and needing a tow.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 86 complaints[5]. Owners describe the car stalling or losing power while cruising, and some tell of the pedal not getting a response when pulling away from a light.
- Power Train. 63 complaints[6]. Owners describe sudden loss of power, a car that only crawled along, and one that rolled backward on a hill with the engine off.
- Air Bags. 57 complaints[7]. Owners describe air bags that did not deploy in a collision, and a failed control module that left them with a repair bill. Some say repair parts were not available.
- Electrical System. 44 complaints[8].
- Seat Belts. 37 complaints[9].
- Unknown Or Other. 30 complaints[10].
- Speed Control. 29 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Patriot is necessarily included.
- Seat Belts › Pretensioner (16V668), September 2016. About 1,435,625 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Electrical System › Software (13V233), June 2013. About 254,396 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Fuel System, Gasoline (13V120), April 2013. About 20,799 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (12V142), April 2012. About 1,689 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Patriot 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 23 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 |
| Patriot 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 21 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Patriot 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[17] | 23 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 |
| Patriot 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[18] | 23 / 28 / 25 | $2,700 |
| Patriot 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive[19] | 22 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 |
| Patriot 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive[20] | 21 / 25 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Patriot 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive[21] | 20 / 23 / 21 | $3,200 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: SUV 2WD[22], SUV 4WD[23].
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2012 Jeep Patriot with 2.4L 4-cylinder[24] | 172 hp |
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 270 | 1 |
| 2008 | 447 | 0 |
| 2009 | 275 | 1 |
| 2010 | 188 | 2 |
| 2011 | 326 | 4 |
| 2012 | 354 | 4 |
| 2013 | 120 | 1 |
| 2014 | 548 | 2 |
| 2015 | 315 | 1 |
| 2016 | 458 | 1 |
| 2017 | 59 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Patriot show 354 complaints and 4 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 11 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 3 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2017 (59) and the most are for 2014 (548)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Patriot?
These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and the counts are not adjusted for sales[1]. Engine, fuel and power train groups lead the list, and owners describe stalling and lost power as the common thread[2][5][6]. Air bag complaints include crashes, so they deserve a close look[7]. Recalls exist for this year, so check the Recalls section above[3]. If you are shopping for one, ask for service records and take a long highway test drive.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Patriot?
- The biggest complaint group is the engine, with 119 complaints[2]. Fuel and power train groups follow[5][6]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Does the 2012 Jeep Patriot have recalls?
- Yes, recalls are on file for this model year[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Jeep Patriot?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2012 Jeep Patriot reliable?
- NHTSA has 354 owner complaints on file[1]. Owners describe stalling and power loss in several groups[2][5][6]. Read the problems and verdict sections to decide.
- Is 2012 the best year for the Jeep Patriot?
- See the by-year comparison on this page to compare model years.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Jeep Patriot
Compare all model years of the Jeep Patriot
Other Jeep models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 354 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Jeep Patriot (9 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 119 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Patriot model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Patriot 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 86 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 57 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,578). NHTSA vehicle records
- 44 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the seat belts component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,578). NHTSA vehicle records
- 30 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 16V668, filed September 15, 2016: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V233, filed June 4, 2013: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V120, filed April 3, 2013: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V142, filed April 3, 2012: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Patriot 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Patriot 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 27 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Patriot 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Patriot 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Patriot 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 25 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Patriot 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 2WD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Jeep Patriot with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 172 hp. www.epa.gov