10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 48,291 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My 2011 Jeep Patriot was purchased new in mid November 2010. It has 42,972 miles on it. I had to replace the tires, one was worn clear down on the inside. The tire supplier said I needed an alignment. When I went in to get an alignment they were unable to do one because my ball joints needed replaced. I've owned this vehicle (my first & last Jeep) for 63 1/2 months and driven it less than 677 miles a month or less than 10 miles per day, I should not be replacing my ball joints with these low miles on my car! it is bad enough that I was told not to even drive my car until the parts come in which is going to be another 13 days! please tell me how this is normal wear & tear on a vehicle that has never been off road and has never had the 4 wheel drive engaged longer than to just pull out of slick spot? please make this right and recall the Jeep that are having this issue!
- Athens, OH, USA
Took the vehicle into get a wobble in the front end checked. Was told by technician that the ball joints on both side are worn out. He said it was a very common problem due to poor quality components. From reading complaints, it seems to be a very common issue. It it's a safety hazard and should be addressed. I have contacted an attorney and will proceed.
- Kingsport, TN, USA
"death wobble". I experienced this on a short two hour trip where I couldn't control the card. Every time I hit a bump or tired to turn the car was hard to steer. This Jeep has on 40K on it and is 4 years old. I was travelling on the highway and genuinely feared for my life. I was over halfway to my destination so I got off the highway and took the back roads with my hazards on and went slow. The fact that Jeep is unwilling to reimburse me for the cost of the repair is upsetting. But what is more upsetting is how they have not issued a recall on this vehicle. I have spoken to several people with regards to the exact same issue and not just with the Patriot. This needs to be addressed before someone gets seriously injured or worse. I have no faith in the company now and do not trust the safety of the vehicle.
- Columbus, OH, USA
Rear sub frame that attaches to the uni body rusted completely through at a cross member. This sub frame is what mounts the entire rear suspension and drive line to the vehicle. Vehicle was purchased Aug. 2011 and has 98.000miles on it. Also have had problems with wheel bearings. Not including the factory set, we had to replace the wheel bearings (all 4) 3 times. No accidents/injuries were caused by these because they were repaired prior to them getting to bad. Vehicle is currently parked due to safety concerns with the rear suspension. Substandard steel for cross members and wheel bearing issues with these vehicles are known at Chrysler/Jeep, when I ordered the wheel bearings staff working parts counter joked about another one sold. When I called the salesmen about the cross member issue I was told that it is known and they replaced several recently at owners expense. I was also told that the recall/warranty extension will probably happen, so keep my receipt for reimbursement purposes. There are also numerous factory recalls or warranty extensions on Chrysler/Jeep products do to these issues.
- Linesville, PA, USA
I went to my dealership for an oil change and was told my front lower ball joints are bad and if not replaced I could not have my state inspection done. I only have 16, 499 miles on my Jeep. This makes no sense to me. I have read that the oem parts are all defective. I want Chrysler to help pay the costs. I was quoted around $675 with labor.
- Chester, VT, USA
We bought car in Aug 2013 with 26K on it. Right at about 30K I started to hear a thumping sound in the front end. Turns out the ball joints and lower control arm assembly needed replacement. Just hit 40K and the other side went. Glad I bought the extended warranty which I thought was pricey at the time. This Jeep is a big disappointment. Not like the Jeep Cherokee from the good old days which family members found to be dependable.
- Hollis, NH, USA
While manistee tire was checking the alignment following the purchase of new tires, the left front ball-joint was found to be defective. Time to require that suspension parts be greaseable.
- Eastlake, MI, USA
While turning right and entering a highway using a 270 degree on ramp, the cars steering became unstable and suddenly tightened it's turning circle and lunged farther to the right. Inspection has revealed that the lower left ( drivers side ) has worn out after only 42,000 miles. A search online revealed that this is a common problem with the Jeep Patriot and compass and it is traceable to a bad batch of ball joints. Chrysler refuses to acknowledge the problem and cover it under warranty.
- West Caldwell, NJ, USA
Took my car into mechanic for four new tires. At that time was told by them that lower ball joints showed signs of abnormal wear and tear. They recommended fixing. As I didn't have the time to get it into the shop at that point, I waited. Took car in for state mandated annual inspection and it failed - at 38000 miles. Not only that but car needed another new tire because ball joint had affected the new tires I just bought. Mechanic stated this shouldn't be happening in a car that's barely 4 years old. I do not do any off road driving - just normal about town and some minimal highway. I am the only owner - bought this car brand new. Seems like this is a defect that ought to be addressed. I see a lot of conversation on the web about this issue. Hope they decide to recall.
- Wilbraham, MA, USA
Ball joints/control arm bad at only 41,000 miles. Took car for inspection and it failed because of this. Technician said these parts should have never failed at 3 years old and only 41,000 miles. Of course out of warranty but from what I am finding out, warranty wouldn't cover these anyways. I wonder if these parts were even tested as they should last longer, so seems to me they are defective.
- Imperial, PA, USA
In 2012 we had a nail through the tire of the 2011 Jeep Patriot that we bought new. When we took the car to tires plus to have the tire replaced. We were told that they couldn't legally replace just one tire. The tread wear was so awful; uneven, different tread variances, they couldn't match one used tire. How would they pick what tire to match it up too. We ended up with 4 new tires, we were also told at the time the uneven tread was doing damage to shocks and struts. A year later we took it in for new break pads and rotation, again, even with these "new" tires we were told tread was so uneven, it would be loud, be careful, excreta. I took the Jeep into a Jeep dealership for a recall 10/2013 "N01 recall" since I had in there I also opted to get transmission service/filter, they too talked to me about my tire wear. 11/2013ish my husband, stationed in hi purchases a new Jeep as well. Now we are stuck with two of these...2/2014 I find out the vehicle he purchase (not his, but others with same yr/make/model are already being recalled. Then my transmission goes out! a Jeep, we have just owned, higher miles all from hwy 94 from my husband compute when he lived in wi to fortmccoy...straight shot...65mh the whole way. In addition they fix sway bar link, arm control and tell me noise that still exists could be wheel bearing, my alignment was so off, they kept it an extra day. So I'm 5K into my vehicle I owed 3 years, the wheel bearing, alignment, sway bar, arm control, shocks, struts all I believe to whatever (I wish I new) was causing the uneven tread wear. There is something wrong! transmission different issue...or is it? I have been told as mentioned above they couldn't "legally" replace just one tire...then how for the last three years can Jeep legally let me drive my 4 kids in a vehicle that has obvious problems. Yes, I've called dealership, home office and BBB.
- Eau Claire, WI, USA
I have a 2011 Jeep Patriot latitude that began having a rough ride and rattle noise in the left front wheel area in October 2013. In December 2013 the vehicle was inspected with 42,000 miles and it was discovered that the lower control arm needed replacing because of a bad ball joint. I researched this online and discovered numerous similar complaints on Jeep forums indicating it has been a recurring problem for Jeep for the past several years due to poor quality parts but Jeep refuses to cover it under warranty or recall. I took the Jeep to my dealership, golling Chrysler Jeep in bloomfield, mi. They admitted this is a common problem but not covered under warranty, recall or tsb. I ended up replacing the part for $300 at a repair shop. I feel there should be a recall as this is a common problem and a safety issue that Jeep refuses to cover.
- Waterford, MI, USA
Ball joints are worn and need replacement at approximately 35,000 miles. Vehicle has only been driven on highway and around town. No off-roading. Looking at Jeep Patriot forum on-line this appears to be pretty typical. Perhaps a recall should be done so that Jeep can put in parts that are durable and safe.
- Bedford, NH, USA
- Burke, VA, USA