CarBrief

The 2014 Jeep Patriot has 548 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the most of any Patriot model year[1][2]. It also has an air bag and seat belt recall that you should check before you buy[3].

548owner complaints[1]
2recalls[2]
21–25MPG combined (EPA)[4]
4★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 548 owner complaints for this model year[1]. 31 mention a crash[1], 7 a fire[1], 31 mention a crash[1], 7 a fire[1], and the complaints report 40 injuries in total[1].. 2 deaths were reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part[1].

Here are the biggest groups of complaints:

Component group Complaints Crashes Median miles at failure
Engine[6] 160 3 59,400
Air bags[7] 149 20 39,525
Seat belts[8] 104 8 41,000
Electrical system[9] 89 4 54,000
Power train[10] 70 2 45,000

The engine group is the largest[6]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, often with no warning light[6]. Some owners say the dealer could not find the cause[6].

Air bags have the most crashes (20) and injuries (23) of any group[7]. Both reported deaths are in this group[7]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 5 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[7]. Another 3 come from owners waiting on the recall repair[7].

Electrical complaints include 4 fires[9]. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 3 describe fire or smoke, including a fire blamed on wiring[9].

In a sample of 12 seat belt complaints we read, 8 come from owners worried about the recall because the repair was not available when they were notified[8].. Delete the sentence.

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Ask a Jeep dealer to check the VIN for open recalls. Our data does not show the current repair status.

Fuel economy

EPA combined ratings run from 21 to 25 MPG depending on engine, transmission and drive[12][13]. All versions use regular fuel[12].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
FWD, 2.4L, Manual 5-spd[4] 23 / 28 / 25 $2,700
FWD, 2.0L, Manual 5-spd[14] 23 / 30 / 25 $2,700
FWD, 2.4L, Automatic 6-spd[12] 21 / 28 / 24 $2,800
FWD, 2.0L, Automatic 6-spd[15] 21 / 28 / 24 $2,800
FWD, 2.0L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[16] 22 / 26 / 24 $2,800
4WD, 2.4L, Manual 5-spd[17] 23 / 28 / 25 $2,700
4WD, 2.4L, Automatic 6-spd[18] 21 / 27 / 23 $2,900
4WD, 2.4L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[13] 20 / 23 / 21 $3,200

The EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2WD and 4WD versions the same ratings: 4 stars overall, 3 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 3 stars rollover[5][19]. Rollover risk is listed as 21.9% for both[5][19].

Engine and size

The 2.4L 4-cylinder is rated at 172 hp[20]. The 2.0L engine also appears in the EPA fuel data[15], but we have no horsepower figure for it.

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

AWD version FWD version
Length[21][22] 174 in 174 in
Width[21][22] 69 in 69 in
Height[21][22] 65 in 65 in
Wheelbase[21][22] 104 in 104 in
Curb weight[21][22] 3,331 lb 3,148 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2007: 270 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 447 complaints, 0 recalls20082009: 275 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 188 complaints, 2 recalls20102011: 326 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 354 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 120 complaints, 1 recalls20132014: 548 complaints, 2 recalls54820142015: 315 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 458 complaints, 1 recalls20162017: 59 complaints, 0 recalls2017
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Patriot model year. The 2014 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20072701
20084470
20092751
20101882
20113264
20123544
20131201
20145482
20153151
20164581
2017590

Among the Patriot model years NHTSA lists (2007 to 2017), 2014 has the most complaints at 548[2]. The next highest are 2016 with 458 and 2008 with 447[2]. The lowest are 2017 with 59 and 2013 with 120[2].

For recalls, 2014 has 2[2]. The 2011 and 2012 model years each have 4[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so a higher count does not by itself prove a worse car[1].

Should you buy a used 2014 Patriot?

This model year has more complaints on file than any other Patriot year[2]. Engine stalling is one theme in the complaint sample we read[6]. The air bag recall covers a safety system, so ask a dealer to check the VIN for the repair status before you buy[3]. The 13V552 engine recall applies to 2.4L cars, so check that too[11]. NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall, with 3 stars for frontal crashes and rollover[5]. Fuel economy is in the low to mid 20s MPG[12][13]. Merge the two recall sentences and drop the fuel-economy sentence or the inspection sentence to reach 5.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Jeep Patriot?
NHTSA lists 548 complaints[1]. Engine is the largest group with 160, followed by air bags with 149[1][6][7].
Does the 2014 Jeep Patriot have recalls?
Yes, two. One covers the occupant restraint module that controls the air bags (16V668)[3]. The other covers the engine balance shaft module on 2.4L cars (13V552)[11].
How many miles per gallon does the 2014 Jeep Patriot get?
EPA combined ratings run from 21 to 25 MPG depending on the version[12][13].
What are the 2014 Jeep Patriot safety ratings?
NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall, 3 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 3 stars rollover[5][19].
Is the 2014 the worst year for the Jeep Patriot?
By complaint count it is the highest of the years listed, at 548[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales[1].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 548 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Jeep Patriot (31 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 40 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Patriot model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 16V668, filed September 15, 2016: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Patriot FWD, 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
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 2WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 160 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 149 complaints name the air bags component group (20 crashes, 0 fires, 23 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,525). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 104 complaints name the seat belts component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 89 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 70 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 13V552, filed November 6, 2013: Engine. NHTSA recall database
  12. EPA rating for Patriot FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. 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
  14. EPA rating for Patriot FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Patriot FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Patriot FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 26 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Patriot 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Patriot 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Jeep Patriot with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 172 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATRIOT 4DR SUV AWD SPORT/NORTH/LIMITED: length 174 in, width 69 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,331 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATRIOT 4DR SUV FWD SPORT/NORTH/LIMITED: length 174 in, width 69 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,148 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.