The original Jeep first saw action during the Second World War. It was a rugged vehicle that raced across the terrains of Europe and North Africa alongside Sherman and Crusader tanks. The car was a favourite of the Allied troops even after the war, so it seems strange that Jeep took more than six decades before they finally came up with a model named ‘Patriot.’
When unveiled in 2007, it didn’t receive the best of reviews. While it was undoubtedly affordable to own and maintain, it did not have the reliability that Jeeps were known for. As a result, it was discontinued after less than ten years into production. Throughout this piece, you’ll learn about the issues with the SUV in detail and how professionals can help you solve problems with your Jeep Patriot.
Common Problems with the Jeep Patriot
Now, it’s not like you would get into a Patriot, and it would collapse as soon as you turn on the ignition. You can drive it around the town for groceries or pick up the kids from school. You might get ridiculous looks from petrolheads, but the car can do it, barely. Still, there are some common issues that you need to look out for. These include:
Water Leaks in the Cabin
The chassis of the Jeep Patriot is nothing to ride home about. But, things get even worse for the passenger compartment. Thousands of online videos show leaks from the roof and side panels. The problem is exacerbated by the trims that have a sunroof. Many times, the window won’t even close all the way, which spells trouble if you want to visit your mates during the monsoon season.
Adding to the problem is the “safety” feature that leaves a gap between the floorboards and the undercarriage. Often, water, moisture and dirt can clog up this space. Unless you’re stripping down your Jeep each time for a wash, it is impossible to clean out. That can lead to mould growing within the passenger compartment, contributing to a severe health hazard for the passengers.
Premature CVT Failure
The Patriot’s continuously variable transmission is a case study on how not to design CVTs. Too much displacement in the transfer case works well in distributing power evenly throughout the 4WD system. However, it also means that the CVT can fail even with proper maintenance.
Not surprising that the Patriot is one of the worst accelerating Jeeps in the lineup. The drivetrain heats up pretty quickly, especially at higher RPMs. There are times when you can hear it grinding as if a dingo got stuck in the driveshaft. Some customers have even complained of the overheating warning going off on the dashboard just days after the regular service.
Rough Gear Shifts
There isn’t much improvement when you go for the manual version. The 2007 version and up had a 5-speed gearbox. It wasn’t as bad as the CVT but had its own set of issues. Customers complain about a screeching noise, which gets particularly loud in reverse. At times, the gears may get stuck, requiring the replacement of synchronising rings.
Later models replaced it with a six-speed automatic that seemed the right choice. Nevertheless, by the time it hit the showrooms, the Jeep Patriot was declining heavily in sales. Therefore, the sample size was not enough to reach a definite conclusion. The company did offer a warranty of five years on the drivetrain. So, if you find one, you might still be able to get it serviced.
Stalling Engine
Primarily, the Jeep Patriot had two main powertrain options: a 2.0L inline-4 gasoline engine and a 2.2L I4 diesel engine. For a brief period, the company even offered a Mercedes turbocharged OM651, but it quickly fell off the feature list due to its astronomical costs.
What the base engines had in common was a tendency to stall, especially at lower revs. Many customers reported that the car would shut down in the middle of a trip and require jump cables to get up and running again. Not the best look for a manufacturer that built its legacy from rugged off-road vehicles.
Electrical Issues
The Jeep Patriot had a TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) that integrated all the electricals into one unit. Now, that was a brilliant solution to simplify the wiring, although it also made diagnosing or isolating faults difficult. For example, if your indicator wiring had a short circuit, it would also affect the engine warning lights and ABS.
The fuses were abysmal in the earlier variants. There were instances when blowing a fuse prevented airbags from deploying. Headlights and fog lamps were also prone to malfunction. Replacement for the entire system would cost close to $1000.
Jeep Patriot Models to Avoid
It is safe to say that each Jeep Patriot has had its own share of problems. Yet, there are some trims that you should avoid for quality and safety concerns. These include the following model years:
2008 Jeep Patriot
2009 Jeep Patriot
2011 Jeep Patriot
2013 Jeep Patriot
2015 Jeep Patriot
Used Jeep Patriot Trims That are Safe to Buy
Even for all its faults, the Jeep Patriot can become a rugged daily driver if you keep it running with the right parts. With a few modifications, the following models can grant you a reliable SUV:
2007 Jeep Patriot
2010 Jeep Patriot
2017 Jeep Patriot
How Just Jeeps Can Help You Solve Problems with Your Jeep Patriot
Since Jeep discontinued the Patriot in 2017, you can only get one from a used car lot or a fed-up owner. Even so, it can prove an excellent deal if you’re looking for a budget SUV. In fact, if you remove the repair costs, a Jeep Patriot’s actual ownership cost is lower than any of its brethren. The lack of parts is a hurdle, though. That is where Just Jeeps can solve problems with your Jeep Patriot.
As a team of professionals working on Jeeps, we have been in Australia for over three decades. We can equip your Jeep Patriot with the parts that extend its life cycle considerably. Furthermore, we make procurement of any parts or accessories reasonably simple. You can place orders online or visit any of our stores in person. We can schedule maintenance and repairs right at your doorstep, should you require them.