Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Jeep Patriot, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine114
- Fuel/propulsion system86
- Power train63
- Air bags57
- Electrical system44
- Seat belts37
- Unknown or other30
- Vehicle speed control29
- Fuel system, gasoline15
- Structure14
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 26 2012 Patriot vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 8 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2012 Jeep Patriot failed the safety check 3.62% of the time — 44% more often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 115,425 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
46 2012 cars are on the New Zealand register; 50% arrived as used imports, 48% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Jeep Patriot SUV 2WD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2012 Jeep Patriot SUV 4WD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 9.4–10.0 L/100 km (about 24–25 mpg US), CO₂ 216–230 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 10.4 | 8.1 | 9.4 |
| Patriot · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 10.3 | 8.3 | 9.4 |
| Patriot · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 10.3 | 8.7 | 9.6 |
| Patriot · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 8.8 | 10.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2012 Jeep Patriot.
| 2016448 14 Sept 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles in certain types of crashes, airbag and seatbelt pretensioner deployment capability may be lost due to a short in the front impact sensor wi… |
| 2013195 7 Jun 2013 | Airbag On certain vehicles, due to a software error in the occupant restraint control (ORC) module, side curtain airbag and seatbelt pretensioner deployment could be d… |
| 2013103 5 Apr 2013 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, fuel transfer from the secondary to the primary side of the fuel tank may be interrupted, possibly resulting in engine stalling and loss of… |
| 2012116 3 Apr 2012 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the fuel tank roll-over valve may have been damaged during vehicle assembly. This could allow fuel leakage in a roll-over crash. Fuel lea… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Jeep told its dealers about the 2012 Jeep Patriot: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10248517 | 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. |
| 10248509 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10244356 | LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect. |
| 10244348 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10242717 | Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review Service Library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used |
| 10236933 | wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK |
| 10230438 | Some of the above-involved vehicles may exceed NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emission level standards due to loss of catalytic converter efficiency |
| 10230180 | Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle. |
| 10229998 | KEY, BLANK WITH TRANSMITTER Please note that after programming the new key integrated transmitter that Lock, Unlock and Remote Start will all function as expected but the Remote Start Cancel button requires a double (2x) button press versus the original single (1x) button press to cancel the remote start function and turn the vehicle off. |
| 10229936 | RBZ Or RHB Radio Software Enhancements |
| 10229935 | RBZ Or RHB Radio Software Enhancements |
| 10229919 | Low Frequency Moan Noise Heard During First Brake Apply This bulletin involves installing an anti-vibration bracket to the rear brake caliper. A low frequency moan noise is heard during the first brake apply when in reverse, while the vehicle is cold or has been parked for several hours.An audio sound file of the moan noise can be found in DealerCONNECT> TechCONNECT under: Service Info> 05 - Brakes> 05 - Brakes, Base> Diagnosis and Testing.If the low frequency moan noise can be verified, the addition of the anti-vibration bracket may correct the condition. |
| 10229871 | Dielectric Grease This product is no longer approved for use on ignition coil and spark plug boots. Current plug boot material(silicone) is not compatible with this grease and can cause deterioration over time. |
| 10229825 | RHW RHP Radio Software Enhancements |
| 10229572 | Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes when welding steel body panels and structural components. |
| 10228020 | Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module |
| 10227983 | If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils. |
| 10226273 | Flash: Diagnostic And System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: **U0140 - Lost Communication With Body Control Module (TIPM).** P219A - Air-Fuel Ratio Cylinder Imbalance Bank 1. **The following software enhancements are also available: Cruise control enhancements. Engine is hard to start at temperatures -29 |
| 10225424 | Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes when welding steel body panels and structural components. |
| 10225287 | Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes when welding steel body panels and structural components. |
| 10224861 | Low Frequency Moan Heard During First Brake Apply This bulletin involves installing an anti-vibration bracket to the rear brake caliper. A low frequency moan is heard during the first brake apply when in reverse while the vehicle is cold or has been parked for several hours. An audio sound file of the moan can be found in DealerCONNECT> TechCONNECT under: Service Info> 05 - Brakes> 05 - Brakes, Base> Diagnosis and Testing. If the low frequency moan can be verified, the addition of the anti-vibration bracket may correct the condition. |
| 10224076 | Active Head Restraint (AHR) Inadvertent Deployment - X86 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves inspecting the sled bracket striker pin and possibly replacing a front seat AHR that has inadvertently deployed. Customers may comment on the following:The AHR is deployed on one or both front seats and will not reset. |
| 10224065 | Warranty Bulletin D-20-18 (X86) Active Head Restraint - Select 2012-2017 Jeep Compass/Jeep Patriot (MK) and 2012 Dodge Caliber (PM) (Rev. A) |
| 10223855 | Washer Fluid Level Sensor Prior to replacing this part due to "Low Washer Fluid" tell tale light on the dash and the washer fluid bottle is full, please perform the this inspection. Inspect the sensor for a fluid coating on the sensor pins. Orange colored rain repellant can cause this fluid build-up. Clean the pins, drain the reservoir, and fill with Mopar approved washer fluid. Check to determine if the issue has been resolved. Continue with repair if necessary. Also, please inform the customer not to use Rain-X in the system to avoid this issue. Please contact Chuck Hood at cell (248 |
| 10223825 | Flash: Diagnostic And System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following DTCs have been set: P0335 - Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit. U0140 - Lost Communication With Body Control Module (TIPM). P219A - Air-Fuel Ratio Cylinder Imbalance Bank 1.The following software enhancements are also available: Engine is hard to start at temperatures -29C (-20F) for vehicles utili |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Engine stall, fuel delivery failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation