117 of the
602 complaints filed about the Jeep Patriot 4X4
are about the suspension —
19% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
PURCHASED VEHICLE IN DECEMBER, COMPLAINED OF LOOSE STEERING FROM DAY 1 NICELY, INSPECTION STICKER WAS PUT ON THROUGH DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WHICH I LATER DISCOVERED WAS ON LOCAL NEWS FOR INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD LIKE ACTIVITY, REACHED OUT TO CREDIT ACCEPTANCE, NO RESULTS, LATER DISCOVERED THEY HAVE PAST LAWSUITS, INVESTIGATIONS, COURT RULINGS AGAINST THEM, AS WELL AS DEALERSHIP HAVING MULTIPLE BUSINESS CLAIMS IN MA/NH, I PROCEEDED TO BRING MY CASE TO THE BBB, DISTRICT ATTORNEY AS WELL, TWO WRITTEN ESTIMATES OF VEHICLE NOT BEING SAFE, STILL HAVE ONE OF TWO BALD TIRES FOR EVIDENCE IN MY POSSESSION, PICTURES OF 5 SAFETY LIGHTS ON TO DATE, I HAVE SPENT AT LEAST 500.00 ADDITIONAL REPAIRS, VEHICLE MONTHLY PAYMENT, INSURANCE, INITIAL DEPOSIT AND TRADE IN, I AM A STRUGGLING SOLE PARENT/PROVIDER THAT WAS TIRED OF DEALING WITH MY PRIOR VEHICLE, I HAVE RESEARCH TO PRESENT MY CASE INCLUDING LEMON LAW SUPPORT, LOAN COMPANY ON PROBATION IN NY AND ONE OTHER STATE, I DESPERATELY NEED ASSISTANCE IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE AS I AM EMPLOYED WITH AMAZON FLEX SUBCONTRACTING AND NEEDING RELIABILITY, I STRUGGLE WITH WRITING SO HOPEFULLY THIS MESSAGE IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHY MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE LEARNING FROM THEIR MISTAKES, NOT KEEPING HORRIBLY DANGEROUS VEHICLES FOR RESALE, AND I'M GOING TO END THIS NOTE BY GIVING ADDITIONAL INPUT ON HOW UNFAIR IT IS THAT MOPAR WAS FINED 1.7 BILLION DOLLARS, THIS VEHICLE IS VIBRATING WHEN I GET TO 40MPH, MAKING WHISTLING NOISE AT ALL SPEEDS, 5 SAFETY LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUES GETTING WORSE AS WELL
NHTSA complaint #11208490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT ANY SPEED THE JEEP IS APT TO START WOBBLING SIDE TO SIDE AFTER DRIVING OVER BUMPS. (FREQUENTLY CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE" BY JEEP OWNERS WHEN DESCRIBING THIS CONDITION.) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STAY IN LANES. THE HOOD HINGES DO NOT HOLD THE HOOD SECURELY DOWN. AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH YOU CAN WITNESS THE HOOD WOBBLING UP AND DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE. YOU MAY READ ABOUT BOTH OF THESE ISSUES IN DOZENS OF ONLINE FORUMS REGARDING JEEP ISSUES FROM OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
NHTSA complaint #11141878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD THE 2009 JEEP PATRIOT'S SUBFRAME BROKE. BECAUSE OF THIS MY VEHICLE ALMOST LOST THE PASSENGER TIRE. HAD IT BEEN ON THE FREEWAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. AFTER BEING INSPECTED BY THE MECHANIC HE HAS NEVER SEEN RUST THIS BAD AND IT'S MUCH MORE DETERIORATED THAN ANY OTHER PART OF THE UNDERBODY. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. A 9 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING THIS SORT OF DETERIORATION. THE RESULT OF THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TIE-ROD, THE SUSPENSION, AND THE CONTROL ARM. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #11123180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT AND REAR CROSS BARS ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS RUST IS NOT COMMON WEAR AND TEAR, BUT A POORLY MADE OR CHOSEN PART BY MY MANUFACTURER, JEEP / CHRYSLER. HE SAID MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. WHILE THE CROSS BARS ARE COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THE BOLTS AND CONTROL ARMS (ALSO SEVERELY AND DANGEROUSLY RUSTED) ARE NOT. I AM OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE JEEP WAS TOO CHEAP TO CHOOSE A QUALITY PART. MY VIN IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11098003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAD BALL JOINTS SAME AS MANY OTHERS. ALSO BAD SUB FRAME. TOOK AUTO IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND WAS SHOWN BAD BALL JOINTS AND A RUSTED OUT SUB FRAME. THESE WERE ISSUES AND EARLIER PATRIOTS BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
NHTSA complaint #11030742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SECOND FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT SEPARATION. THIS ONE, DRIVERS SIDE. RECENT PAST WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE. MILEAGE LESS THAN 50,000. VEHICLE IS JUST GOING IN FOR REPAIR -NHTSA MAY WANT TO CLAIM THE SUSPENSION BOLT ~ EVIDENCE IN MODE OF FAILURE. CROSS BOLT APPEARS SEPARATED ('OVER TORQUE' OR 'BENDING FLEXURAL FAILUE' OR GRADE (BRITTLE FAILURE). THIS FAILURE (10 MPH SLOW TURN). HIGHER SPEED COULD HAVE LEAD TO SEVERE ACCIDENT. CONTACT A6.024X23@GMAIL.COM FOR INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10970062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUBFRAME IS RUSTED OUT DUE TO LOCATION OF A/C DRAIN. IF IT BREAKS STEERING CONTROL WILL BE LOST. THIS WAS FOUND DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION. 2007 AND EARLIER MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED
NHTSA complaint #10926741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MECHANIC SAID MY SUB-FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND WILL VERY SOON BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IT MAY BREAK WHILE DRIVING. WHY HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS ADDRESSED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 2007 MODELS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED FOR 2009? LOSS OF STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS.
NHTSA complaint #10904972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOUD NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION ODD FEEL IN STEERING DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND FOUND THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE MOUNTING FOR THE FRONT SWAY BAD WAS ROTTED THROUGH AND PULLED APART. JEEP DEALER WANTED $99.00 TO LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE,AND TELL ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. 2007 MODEL YEAR HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE SAME PART NUMBER. I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION CAUSED BE DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO PREVENT A SERIOUS COLLISION AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10885334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY FRONT CROSSMEMBER / SUB FRAME IS ROTTED OUT . CONTACTED JEEP THEY ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY WARRANTED 2007 MODELS BUT NOT 2008 . FRONT ENGINE CRADLE HAS HUGE HOLES IN IT . DESIGN FLAW CAUSE THE AC DRIPS RIGHT ON FRAME CAUSING RUST . DEALERSHIP SAID NO SETRVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BUT THEY LIED . FINALLY GOT A GOOD QUOTE TO HAVE FIXED GONNA COST 775 TO FIX . I HAVE ALSO CHANGED MY FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS 3 TIMES . BALL JOINTS , TIE RODS ETC AND THE OTHER PARTS . ONLY SAVING GRACE IS ITS PAID FOR AND LIFETIME POWER TRAIN WARRANTY .
NHTSA complaint #10860298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP I WOULD HEAR A BANG NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY JEEP. IMMEDIATELY MY ESP/BAS LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THE ESP/BAS WARNING LIGHT WOULD GO OFF BUT COME BACK ON AGAIN AFTER MAKING A TURN. I NOTICED MY LEFT, REAR TIRE WAS WEARING OUT ON THE INSIDE. TREAD ON OTHER 3 TIRES HAD NO UNEVEN WEAR. ON DEC. 23, 2015 I BROUGHT MY JEEP INTO PALM CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE OF PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA FOR A MULTIPOINT INSPECTION AND OIL CHANGE. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR SUB CHASSIS WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND REPAIRS EXCESSIVE. I WAS INFORMED BY MY SERVICE ADVISOR -- KRISTIE WILKINSON, REPAIRS WOULD EXCEED WHAT THE JEEP IS WORTH AND THAT RUST IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND IT IS NOT EVEN COVERED UNDER MY LIFETIME MAXIMUM CARE CHRYSLER SERVICE CONTRACT (# 34813970) I PURCHASED IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR WARRANTY. THE NEXT DAY I WAS SHOWN THE SEVERE RUST ON THE REAR CHASSIS SUBFRAME BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND TECHNICIAN. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE REAR OF MY JEEP'S WEIGHT IS RESTING ON TOP OF THE TRANSFER CASE, AND IF HE JUST HIT THE REAR WITH A HAMMER ONE TIME IT WILL FALL APART IN PIECES AND THAT THE JEEP WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A FAULT/WEAKNESS THAT IS ALREADY RECOGNIZED BY CHRYSLER CORP. IN THE 2007 JEEP PATRIOTS AND IS COVERED BY THEM UNTIL 2017. THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH MUST BE ADDRESSED IN THIS MODEL YEAR (2008), ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10820340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 JEEP PATRIOT 4X4. WHILE A TECHNICIAN WAS REPLACING THE CONTROL ARMS AND LEAF SPRINGS ON THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE K-FRAME SPLIT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD PASS INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN UPDATED 10/17/2017
NHTSA complaint #10722743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT JUST OVER 50,000 MILES THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WENT OUT ON MY 08 JEEP PATRIOT, NOW IN 2015 THIS PROBLEMS HAS SURFACED AGAIN THIS TIME IT IS THE CONTROL ARM AND THE OUTER TIE RODS. LOOKING THIS UP ON THE INTERNET THIS APPEARS TO BE A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP PATRIOTS. WHERE MY WIFE WORKS THEY HAD A COUPLE OF THESE JEEPS THAT THEY USED AS COURTESY VEHICLES AND AFTER ONLY A COUPLE OR YEARS AND MINIMAL DRIVING AROUND A HOSPITAL CAMPUS THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIRS. WHILE THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT MY MECHANIC JUST CALLED AND SAID THIS WAS REALLY BAD AND COULD HAVE LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF WE HAD NOT BROUGHT IT IN WHEN WE DID. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE FAILING LIKE THIS AND THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM AND MANY CUSTOMERS ARE BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN REPAIRS. WHAT DOES IT TAKE BEFORE THESE ARE RECALLED? DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED?
NHTSA complaint #10681112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2008 JEEP PATRIOT BEGAN MAKING CLUNKING/CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONT END AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES. TOOK INTO LOCAL JEEP DEALER AND THEY STATED THE BALL JOINTS WERE IN VERY POOR CONDITION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED VIA FRONT END LOWER CONTROL ARMS. AFTER SEEING WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE, TOOK TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP. WHILE DRIVING TO THIS SHOP, BRAKES BEGAN GRINDING. BALL JOINT FAILURE CAUSED BRAKES AND CALIPER TO BE MISALIGNED ON THE ROTOR CAUSING THE ROTORS TO BE DAMAGED. MECHANIC PRESSED IN MOOG BALL JOINTS THEY SAID WOULD BE SUPERIOR TO OEM PARTS AND THAT THEY REPLACE BALL JOINTS ON PATRIOT, COMPASS AND CALIBER OFTEN. AFTER GETTING BALL JOINTS REPLACED, THE JEEP BEGAN HANDLING POORLY IN SNOW PACKED ROAD CONDITIONS, WHERE THE FRONT OF THE JEEP FEELS UNCONTROLLABLE AND WOULD SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE, ALL WHILE HAVING TOTAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK BACK TO JEEP, THEY SAID IT WAS A BALL JOINT ISSUE ONCE AGAIN AND THAT THE INNER TIE RODS WERE LOOSE, BUT DIDN'T THINK THAT A SLIGHTLY LOOSE TIE ROD WOULD CAUSE THE JEEP TO GO FROM SIDE TO SIDE. PURCHASED NEW TIRES, THINKING IT WAS AGING TIRES. NO LUCK AND VEHICLE OVER TIME HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON ROAD, EVEN ON REGULAR DRIVING CONDITIONS. TOOK TO GMC DEALER WHERE A WELL KNOWN JEEP MECHANIC WORKS. CONFIRMED TIE RODS ARE LOOSE AND STRUT IS LEAKING. I UNDERSTAND WEAR AND TEAR ON VEHICLES, BUT AFTER RESEARCHING JEEP PATRIOT REVIEWS/PROBLEMS, I CAME ACROSS AN EVEN MORE ALARMING TRENDS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND OTHER HTTP://WWW.JEEPPATRIOT.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=97871 HTTP://WWW.JEEPPATRIOT.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=34529 HTTP://WWW.JEEPPATRIOT.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=41396 HTTP://WWW.JEEPPATRIOT.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=15863 HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/JEEP/PATRIOT/2008/SUV/CONSUMER-REVIEWS/ HTTP://WWW.CARS.COM/JEEP/PATRIOT/2008/CONSUMER-REVIEWS/
NHTSA complaint #10669437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WENT TO GO LOOK FOR NEW TIRES AND WAS TOLD BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE BAD. RIGHT SIDE WAS WORSE AND NOT TO DRIVE BEFORE GETTING IT FIXED; IT WAS THAT BAD. IN MY 45 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD BALL JOINT GO THIS EARLY. BALL JOINTS WENT OUT BEFORE MY FIRST SET OF TIRES. THERE HAS GOT TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. IT SEEMS I'M NOT THE ONLY JEEP OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10596942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR BRAKES AND INSPECTION AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE GARAGE SAYING I NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL 4 BALL JOINTS. THEY SAID THE LEFT FRONT ONE WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND BARELY HANGING ON. I RESEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND MANY INCIDENTS OF BAD BALL JOINTS ON THIS VEHICLE WITH AN EXPLANATION FROM LOCAL DEALER SHOPS THAT THERE WAS A BAD BATCH INSTALLED INITIALLY. THE REPAIRS COST ME OVER $700 BECAUSE THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT EVEN THOUGH THE MILEAGE IS STILL WITHIN RANGE. JEEP KNOWS ITS AN ISSUE AND HASN'T RESPONDED WITH A SAFETY RECALL. ARE THEY JUST WAITING UNTIL AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS WITH DEATH RESULTING BEFORE THEY ACT?
NHTSA complaint #10592371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAD TO HAVE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND OUTER TIE RODS REPLACED AT 47K MILES BECAUSE THEY HAD BECOME EXCESSIVELY WORN. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT WHEELS HAD DEVELOPED A WOBBLE AND WERE NOISY WHEN DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION.
NHTSA complaint #10524530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2012. VEHICLE MAKES LARGE RATTLING RACKET WHEN GOING OVER ANY TYPE OF DIRT ROAD/BRICK ROAD AND A CLUNK WHEN GOING OVER LARGE BUMPS (SPEED BUMPS). HAVE TAKEN TO MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES - TURNS OUT THE LARGE CLUNK WAS THE BALL JOINTS...THEY WERE COMPLETELY WORN AT 48000 MILES WHICH IN TURN CHANGED THE ALIGNMENT OF MY WHEELS - AS WELL AS AFTER DRIVING IT A MERE 10000 MILES MADE BOTH FRONT TIRES COMPLETELY BALD.
NHTSA complaint #10520913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.