2012 Jeep Patriot problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (60) · Engine (55) · Power Train (52)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Jeep Patriot model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
257 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2016-09-15 · campaign 16V668000 · 1,435,625 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Electrical System:software 2013-06-04 · campaign 13V233000 · 254,396 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.
Risk: In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2013-04-03 · campaign 13V120000 · 20,799 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles manufactured October 18, 2011, through May 7, 2012. Due to an incorrectly manufactured transfer tube, the transfer of fuel from the secondary side to the primary side of the fuel tank may be interrupted, causing the engine to stall.
Risk: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank transfer tube free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 30, 2013. Owners were notified by Chrysler on July 19, 2013, that parts are now available. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N17.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly 2012-04-03 · campaign 12V142000 · 1,689 vehicles
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 JEEP PATRIOT AND COMPASS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 17, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2012. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY CONTAINING A DAMAGED ROLL-OVER VALVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT OR ROLL-OVER, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 25, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Service bulletins (100)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-06-18 · U67 Combo Rev11 · Warranty Program/Extension
emissions recall u67 - catalytic converter efficiency - dealer notification (revision 11)
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100653 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-15 · 9100645 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders: warranty, mopar, customer pay and service contract. order "68" part number for new unsold units only.
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-02 · 103954 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
actuator - a/c and heater
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-02 · 104087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
actuator - a/c and heater
Equipment 2023-09-20 · 9100229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lifter, hydraulic roller deactivating please do not replace mds lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
Showing the 6 most recent of 100 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-26 · Seat Belts“the contact owns a 2012 jeep patriot. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v668000 (seat belts, air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the recall repair was not completed. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount o…”
2026-07-14 · Suspension“certified dealership service department omitted structural safety complaints from official service invoices, left vital diagnostic findings and performance metrics off paperwork tracking paths, cleared a compromised front suspension layout as safe, and actively instructed a vehicle operator to execute a driving pattern that induces sudden power los…”
2026-02-14 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“i was crossing an intersection with a green light the opposing vehicle ran the northbound red light therefore slammed into my driver rear side going at an unknown speed. the force of the impact caused my glasses to fly off my face landing on the passenger floorboard. no airbags deployed. …”
2026-01-09 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 101,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 jeep patriot. the contact stated that on several occasions, while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the gas pump shut off and only worked manually. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, and it was determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced due to a faulty fuel tank rollover valve. the manuf…”
2025-12-20 · Exterior Lighting“car dies as i’m driving wiring issue …”
2025-06-03 · Tires“215/55/r18 well, jd bar ride in south charleston, west virginia off a lot in a car without an inspection sticker too bad front tires bad brakes, bad rotors, bad harness, bad ignition had to be replaced.…”
2025-03-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“roll over valve in gas tank on a 2012 jeep patriot.…”
2025-02-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the rollover valve in the gas tank won't allow me to put fuel in the gas tank.…”
2025-01-22 · Structure · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 jeep patriot 4x4. the contact stated that on five occasions in two years when adjusting all four front air vents manually, a metallic paint/coating sliced her finger causing a paper-cut injury. medical attention was not sought. a dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notif…”
2025-01-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System“ when fueling the jeep the nozzle keeps popping off. i had a diagnostics test and was told that there is something in the gas tank that blocks it in case of a rollover. is this a recall? …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.