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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags33
  2. Engine25
  3. Seat belts23
  4. Power train19
  5. Electrical system11
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)8
  7. Fuel/propulsion system7
  8. Vehicle speed control7
  9. Seats5
  10. Service brakes5
  11. Structure4
  12. Exterior lighting4
  13. Suspension3
  14. Steering3

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20136
20149
201511
201612
201734
20189
201914
202013
20210
20224
20232
20243
20253

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2024Air bags, Seat belts, EngineODI 11607499

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2022EngineODI 11463151

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2017Seat beltsODI 11045423

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2023Power trainODI 11543916

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2020Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11364883

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2018Steering, Electronic stability control (esc), Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11099503
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.