Jeep Patriot: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Jeep Patriot: 7 model years scored from 1,852 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns. Worst year 2014, best year 2017.
Jeep Patriot: which years to avoid
Across 6 scored model years the Jeep Patriot ranges from 61/100 in 2014 to 94/100 in 2017 — a 33-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Engine (156 of them).
Safest years: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Read the guide
The cheap crossovers: Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass and Renegade, used — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Year-by-year data table
Best year in our data: 2017 (score 94). Worst: 2014 (score 61, CAUTION).
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 94 | BUY | $4,724 | 59 | 0 |
| 2016 | 64 | CAUTION | $5,610 | 458 | 1 |
| 2015 | 79 | BUY | $5,420 | 313 | 1 |
| 2014 | 61 | CAUTION | $5,888 | 548 | 2 |
| 2013 | 90 | BUY | $5,034 | 120 | 1 |
| 2012 | 74 | BUY | $5,480 | 354 | 4 |
| 2011 | — | DATA PENDING | $5,040 | 0 | 0 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the Patriot, through the years →
What goes wrong on the Jeep Patriot
Across every Patriot model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Engine631 complaints across all Patriot years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
- Electrical System313 complaints across all Patriot years · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement$540–$1,310
- Power Train291 complaints across all Patriot years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Air Bags247 complaints across all Patriot years · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement$600–$1,700
- Unknown Or Other219 complaints across all Patriot years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Seat Belts164 complaints across all Patriot years · typical job: Pretensioner or retractor replacement$360–$800
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Jeep Patriot years to buy?
2012, 2013, 2015, 2017 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2017 at 94/100, on 59 complaints and 0 recall campaigns.
Which Jeep Patriot years should I avoid?
The 2014 is the weakest year we score, at 61/100 (CAUTION), on 548 complaints and 2 recalls. Check the year-by-year table above before committing to any particular car.
What is the most common Jeep Patriot problem?
631 of the complaints filed against the Patriot across all its model years sit in the Engine group — more than any other component.
Compare with
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04