Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 Jeep Patriot problems
Owners filed 120 complaints about the 2013 Jeep Patriot with NHTSA between Mar 2013 and Sep 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (33).
Complaints
120
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
9
11
12
34
9
14
13
0
4
2
3
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
33 reports5 crashes
“The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact scheduled an appointment and was informed that parts were on backorder upon arrival. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Engine
25 reports1 crash
“Cat converter below threshold bank 1 check engine light code read on obd2. Loss of power and acceleration, sluggish and unable to drive at highway speeds. Poor shifting and temperature ran higher then usual.”
Seat belts
23 reports1 related recall
“I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPT TO GET THIS FIXED AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME THAT WHEN THEY GET THE PART THEY WILL FIX IT. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. THE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE LOSS OF AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENT CAPABILITY IN CERTAIN CRASH EVENTS DUE TO A SHORTING CONDITION RESULTING IN A NEGATIVE VOLTAGE TRANSIENT THAT TRAVELS TO THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER VIA THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR WIRES. RECALL STATUS RECALL INCOMPLETE REMEDY THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER MUST BE REPLACED. SAFETY RISK DESCRPITION THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENT CAPABILITY IN SUCH CRASH EVENTS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH.”
Power train
19 reports
“Transmission overheat warning , Engine loses power and slows to around 30MPH Poses risk to myself and others on highway because can not accelerate to get out of traffic Has not been confirmed by dealer Has been inspected by mechanic The hot transmission warning light comes on.This has been going on several years”
Electrical system
11 reports1 fire
“THE SUNROOF LEAKS AND WATER POURS DOWN FROM THE FRONT OVERHEAD LIGHTS ONTO THE DASH, INTO THE RADIO AND SEEPS INTO THE FRONT CARPETS. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME THERE IS RAIN, WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING.”
Electronic stability control (esc)
8 reports
“SINCE I BOUGHT CAR IN FEBRUARY OF 2018, IMMENSELY THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR ENDED AND TIE RODS. I HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED HOW LOOSE THE STEERING IS AND IF I DRIVE IN A GROOVE IN ROAD THE CAR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO THAT GROOVE. I ALSO NOTICE GOING UP A HILL THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD BE SET BUT CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN AND NOT GO UP IN ELEVATION VERY WELL. NOW THE JEEP IS CHUGGING SEVERELY WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACE GAS TO GO AGAIN. IT ACTS LIKE FUEL SYSTEM IS MESSING UP AND/OR CONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION IS MESSED UP. ALSO THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SEATS DO NOT HEAT AND MANUFACTURED SEAT CLIPS ALL BROKE SIMPLY BY GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE NORMALLY. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT ALSO LOCKS NO MATTER HOW OR SLOW YOU PULL IT AND LOCK IT IN. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS WAY HIGHER AND UNABLE TO ADJUST HEIGHT ETC.. I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT POWER AND SLUGGING FROM STOP POSITION AND CRUISE ON HILLS.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.