Total Complaints
740 filings
JEEP PATRIOT · model year
740 NHTSA complaints, 43 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2016JEEPPATRIOT carries 740 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 43 crashes, 12 fires, 27 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 PATRIOT is engine with 219 filings, followed by electrical system (95) and power train (73). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 29 investigation files overlapping the 2016 PATRIOT, and 3 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
740 filings
Crashes Reported
43 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 219 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 95 |
| POWER TRAIN | 73 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 71 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 45 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 40 |
| AIR BAGS | 31 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 24 |
| STEERING | 23 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 19 |
| SEATS | 15 |
| SEAT BELTS | 13 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 12 |
| SUSPENSION | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 9 |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles manufactured May 9, 2016, to July 15, 2016. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall.
Vehicle acts like it wants to shut off. No warnings or check engine lights it just starts to shake and not let me accelerate. Auto shop looked at it and engine and transmission are ok. They look ed at it 6 times in 4 months and it just keeps happening. Now car is leaking oil and they canât figure out where from, they replaced oil pan me anything relating to it so not sure whatâs wrong. Also, clicking sound from air vent seems to be a electrical issue. Key is starting to bend from ignition shape also. We replaced the key multiple times. New brakes and new rotors but car screeches and sounds like brakes are old but theyâre brand new. Car sounds like struggling when accelerators.
Vehicle acts like it wants to shut off. No warnings or check engine lights it just starts to shake and not let me accelerate. Auto shop looked at it and engine and transmission are ok. They look ed at it 6 times in 4 months and it just keeps happening. Now car is leaking oil and they canât figure out where from, they replaced oil pan me anything relating to it so not sure whatâs wrong. Also, clicking sound from air vent seems to be a electrical issue. Key is starting to bend from ignition shape also. We replaced the key multiple times. New brakes and new rotors but car screeches and sounds like brakes are old but theyâre brand new. Car sounds like struggling when accelerators.
Vehicle acts like it wants to shut off. No warnings or check engine lights it just starts to shake and not let me accelerate. Auto shop looked at it and engine and transmission are ok. They look ed at it 6 times in 4 months and it just keeps happening. Now car is leaking oil and they canât figure out where from, they replaced oil pan me anything relating to it so not sure whatâs wrong. Also, clicking sound from air vent seems to be a electrical issue. Key is starting to bend from ignition shape also. We replaced the key multiple times. New brakes and new rotors but car screeches and sounds like brakes are old but theyâre brand new. Car sounds like struggling when accelerators.
Vehicle stalls when idle at stop signs or stop lights. When restarted while driving engine stops running. Idling is sporadic.
Vehicle stalls when idle at stop signs or stop lights. When restarted while driving engine stops running. Idling is sporadic.
Vehicle stalls when idle at stop signs or stop lights. When restarted while driving engine stops running. Idling is sporadic.
Vehicle began not accelerating and then shut-off. Check engine light was not on, but it sputters. I put it in the shop and was told it's the engine and needs replacing.
Vehicle began not accelerating and then shut-off. Check engine light was not on, but it sputters. I put it in the shop and was told it's the engine and needs replacing.
The driver headrest deployed without being in an accident. Took my vehicle to Phillips Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership on November 24, 2025 and the associate informed of the recalls/warranty I have. The invoice comment from the dealership "Performed inspection driver side front headrest has failed cannot replace due to part being discontinued." This results in driving a vehicle that is unsafe. I spoke with Chrysler hotline regarding the issue 12/2, 12/3, 12/8, 12/17 and was given a case # 94878288 which was closed without the problem being fixed/repaired. Just trying to get this issue resolved while the part is a recall and covered through the warranty.
I continually have the same issue with this vehicle. It started only a couple of months after initial purchase and has happened various times since. Today was one of those days it occurred, the ABS system will turn on along with the traction control light in the middle of the freeway causing the vehicle to immediately slow down, I could not accelerate and was almost hit by the car behind me because of it. The last time this happened I was in a remote location and was stranded for about an hour with no signal to call anyone. When this happens the car does not turn immediately back on and you can hear it continuously cranking. This vehicle has been in and out of the repair shops and the Chrysler hall could not figure out what was wrong with it. It stopped doing it but now it started again. I notice that when this happens the car starts tugging while driving and will spin out when attempting to brake. It happens randomly and that is very scary and dangerous.
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light and traction control warning light were illuminated. In addition, the contact had to use force to steer the wheel. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road during several failures. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after resuming driving, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the crankshaft and camshaft sensors had failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included. The failu
Mileage: 90,000
While driving home from a wedding with a passenger in my car, the engine for my Jeep Patriot stalled several times. The car would come to a stop and was difficult to control when the stalling occurred, putting both myself and my passenger at risk of a traffic accident. The car was towed to an independent service center which documented in their reports the engine stalling repeatedly. This independent service center was not able to alleviate the issue despite replacing the crankshaft and camshaft sensors. I then took the car to my local Jeep dealership, which performed further repairs on the crankshaft sensor and wiring harnesses, thereby resolving the problem. The vehicle and components were not inspected by any other parties to my knowledge. There were no warning lights or prior indication that the engine was about to stall, adding to the danger associated with this incident.
My engine has stalled in mid drive causing sever risk of crash. No check engine light on and does not occur every day.
My son was driving his vehicle on the interstate in Florida when all of the sudden engine stopped working. He was able to navigate to the side and eventually it started up and made back to campus. Codes had came up so took to Firestone and changed spark plugs. We checked NHTSA website for engine recalls and showed had some but not for his specific vehicle per VIN. Only sounded a little better so took to Jeep dealership and paid for diagnostic evaluation and told âalternator falling apartâ but nothing wrong with engine or transmission. They changed a belt Dealership also said no recall for his particular vehicle. Problem continued so took to local mechanism who replaced alternator and a good bit better. So between 8/20/25-8/26/25, he took car to 3 repair shops that couldnât find the problem completely. Then on [XXX] while driving on interstate, son saw smoke then fire coming from under hood. Car caught on fire. Was able to pull over and call 911 who had fire department put o
While driving my 2016 Jeep Patriot on multiple occasions, the engine suddenly shuts off without warning. After shutting off the car would also have alot of issues restarting. I finally took it to multiple mechanics and they all indicated they couldn't find out exactly what was the problem, given nothing showed up on their diagnostics testing's. After the car finally wouldn't start anymore, i got it towed to the dealership and they diagnosed the car with failed crankshaft sensor (which has already been recalled on a chunk of the 2016 Jeep patriots manufactured).
While driving my 2016 Jeep Patriot on multiple occasions, the engine suddenly shuts off without warning. After shutting off the car would also have alot of issues restarting. I finally took it to multiple mechanics and they all indicated they couldn't find out exactly what was the problem, given nothing showed up on their diagnostics testing's. After the car finally wouldn't start anymore, i got it towed to the dealership and they diagnosed the car with failed crankshaft sensor (which has already been recalled on a chunk of the 2016 Jeep patriots manufactured).
Headrest safety device deployed without a rear-end accident, while driving, did not hurt driver. Can not put headrest back into place scared driver
Headrest safety device deployed without a rear-end accident, while driving, did not hurt driver. Can not put headrest back into place scared driver
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off unintendedly. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, but the failure persisted. The contact used a diagnostic code reader to determine that the camshaft sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The camshaft sensor was replaced, but the failure persisted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V907000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,000.
Mileage: 161,000
The air bag in the drivers head rest exploded while my daughter was driving away at college, thankfully she was stopped at a red light she only had a mild concussion, this head rest exploded all on its on without warning or being in a wreck,
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Failure
Underhood fires
Loss of Motive Power
False overheat leading to loss of motive power
Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.