Problems · by component
2012 Jeep Patriot electrical system problems
44 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Patriot cite electrical system, 12% of all 354 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
44
12% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the lights inside the vehicle were flickering and the vehicle shuddered. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and then stalled. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact smelled an abnormal odor, and the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Additionally, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the exhaust was clogged. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. Additionally, the contact became aware of a coolant leak. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound and shuddered. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled again. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was undrivable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK VALVE WOULD CLOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REFUELED. BEAVER COUNTY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (2761 CONSTITUTION BLVD, BEAVER FALLS, PA 15010) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED A FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V142000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199073 also another time TL* my 2012 JEEP PATRIOT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLEd THE THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TONHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V120000 . CAR STALLS AT EVERY STOP. WHILE DRIVING HIGH WAY SPEEDS FOR A FEW MINUTES IT DROPS DOWN IN SPEED CAUSING YOU CLOSE CALL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE IT IS VERY…”
“WHEN I TURN MY BLINKERS ON LEFT OR RIGHT BLINKER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON. NOT EVERY TIME, BUT AT LEAST ONCE A DAY.CATALYTIC CONVERTER EMISSIONS WILL NOT PAS INSPECTIONS. THIS CAR IS NOT THAT OLD AND HAVE READ MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOT PASSING INSPECTION BECAUSE OF EMISSIONS. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE RECALLING JEEP PATRIOTS.”
“THE TIPM FAILED AND RUINED THE AC COMPRESSOR. LEAVING MY WITH A LOT OF EXPENSIVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND THE ENGINE STILL STALLS NO MATTER WHAT I FIX.*DT ENGINE STALLS WHILE ACCERLATING BETWEEN 20-40MPH. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. SPARK PLUGS AND 2 NEW AC COMPRESSORS REPLACFED AFTER TIPM BLEW. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEMS.*JB*DT*AS”
“WHEN IN IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE JEEP ENGINE SHUT OFF RANDOMLY WITH A BEEPING ALARM AND RED FLASHING BOLT ON THE DASH, REQUIRED ME TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTART THE CAR, THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED ONCE WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. BATTERY IS NEW AND BOTH THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED GOOD. WHEN ACCELERATING, BRAKING, OR STEERING, THE CABIN LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS AND DASH/RADIO DIM OR BRIGHTEN OFTEN SLIGHT FLICKERING AND SOME TIMES THE INTERIOR ROOF CAB LIGHTS RANDOMLY TURN ON WHILE DRIVING EVEN WHEN NO DOOR IS AJAR AND DIMMER SWITCH IS TURNED DOWN OR COMPLETELY OFF. APPEARS THERE IS SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL SHORT OR POWER DRAW ISSUE. THE REAR DRUM BREAKS CONTINUOUSLY SQUEAL, LEAK AND LEAVE RUST RESIDUE CORRODING THE RIMS EVEN THOUGH I'VE HAD THEM MAINTAINED AND CHANGED BY CERTIFIED GOODYEAR MECHANICS”
Showing 6 of 44 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.