2016 Jeep Patriot problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 278 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Jeep Patriot, most often about engine. There is 1 recall for this model year.
- Complaints
- 278
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 7
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 3
- Median mileage
- 70,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 161 of 278 complaints (58%).
- Electrical System (69) and transmission & drivetrain (46) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 70,000 mi.
- Owners reported 7 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries.
- The 2016 Jeep Patriot has 1 recall on file.
- NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It has the most serious complaint record of all 11 Jeep Patriot model years we track.
- That is 103% more complaints than the 2015 model year (137).
2016 Jeep Patriot problems by category
- Engine · 1 crash161 complaints
- 69 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash46 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 2 crashes45 complaints
- 34 complaints
- 31 complaints
- Airbags · 5 crashes20 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash17 complaints
- Brakes · 1 crash16 complaints
- Steering · 1 crash9 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech7 complaints
- Lighting5 complaints
- Suspension4 complaints
- Body & Structure4 complaints
- Wheels & Tires3 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 145 |
| Electrical system | 69 |
| Power train | 46 |
| Unknown or other | 45 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 32 |
| Vehicle speed control | 30 |
| Air bags | 19 |
| Service brakes | 14 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2016 Jeep Patriot recalls (1)
- 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.
Risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft or camshaft sensor connector, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S89.
NHTSA defect investigations
- RQ22002Opened Jul 22, 2022Closed Jun 16, 2025
Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure
On December 13, 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received recall 16V-907 from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) that identified a safety defect involving crankshaft or camshaft sensor failures on certain 2016 Model Year Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot vehicles. The failure of the crankshaft or camshaft sensor may lead to a loss of motive power (LOMP) in the recalled vehicles. Following the receipt of recall 16V-907, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received 127 vehicle owner’s questionnaires (VOQ), in which consumers allege experiencing cra…
- EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…
- PE19014Opened Sep 9, 2019Closed Feb 25, 2026
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments in…
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount…
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Jeep Patriot SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| 2016 Jeep Patriot SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Recent 2016 Jeep Patriot complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Aug 19, 2026MIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control
One month ago while driving on Business US10, the vehicle had the sensation like the engine had stopped no acceleration, lightning bolts and engine light came on with a sound of a ding ding, ding. Pulled over to the entrance of a Shell station. Shut the vehicle off. restarted within 5 minutes and drove 1 mile to the dealership. The mechanic said it was most likely the throttle body but would have to schedule me out a few weeks and don't leave town in case you need a tow.…
NHTSA complaint #11757914 · source - Filed Aug 13, 2026MSElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
My 2016 Jeep Patriot is cutting off while I’m driving on the highway at 65 mph. The lights on the dashboard are on and for no apparent reason. Now my radio system is cutting on and off sporadically.Rendering my satellite radio and hands free use of my phone useless. I’ve been told that my car has no recalls. Although this recall "S89 / NHTSA 16V-907, seems like the exact problems I’m experiencing. I have taken good care of this vehicle and have had regular maintenance…
NHTSA complaint #11756677 · source - Filed Aug 10, 2026ILElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
I have a 2016 Jeep Patriot, and I am having intermittent stalling and the RPM gauge dropping to zero. It is a safety risk because you do not know when it is going to happen, and no warning lights come on the dashboard. Yes, I have taken it to a mechanic, and they were able to drive it, and it happened to them while driving. I found that there is a recall, but my vehicle was made just months after what is in the recall of S89/NHTSA 16V-907. I was wondering if someone could…
NHTSA complaint #11755904 · source - Filed Jul 11, 2026MDOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts
While I was driving, driver's headrest suddenly popped off and hit me hard on the back of the head while driving. I have two children in my car who were startled from the sound. Head has been hurting since the incident.
NHTSA complaint #11749716 · source - Filed Jun 24, 2026ARElectrical System
Driveshaft sensor failure Vehicle stalling while driving dropping to zero rpm vehicle dying completely to zero start at low rpm’s
NHTSA complaint #11746340 · source - Filed Jun 16, 2026SDEngine
Last year (2025) we were on a trip to Minneapolis, MN when our vehicle randomly stalled out on us. It would allow us to start it up again immediately, but stalled again shortly after. Each time it stalled, the dash lights would pop up and the engine would immediately stall and die. We had the car fixed in a pinch, and the diagnosis was a crank shaft error. Fast forward to this past weekend, our car stalled again in traffic, with the dash lights coming on and the engine…
NHTSA complaint #11744544 · source - Filed Jun 15, 202668,000 miPABrakesSteering
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds through an intersection, the steering and brakes became inoperable. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle was operating as designed. Upon research, the contact located similar failures related to…
NHTSA complaint #11744153 · source - Filed May 26, 202691,000 miFLSeats & Seat Belts
The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the head rest detached and pooped off. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, it felt like a kick to the back of the head. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, the contact was informed that the repair coverage was for ten years of ownership of the vehicle. The contact stated that ownership was four months over the ten years. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by…
NHTSA complaint #11740060 · source
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Other 2016 Jeep models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology