2012 Jeep Patriot Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

114Engine complaints

32.3%Of all 353 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE114 · 32.3%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM86 · 24.4%

POWER TRAIN62 · 17.6%

AIR BAGS56 · 15.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44 · 12.5%

Share of the 353 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Jeep Patriot overview page.

What owners report

“ENGINE STALLED AT 45 MILES/HOUR AT THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER A 3 DAY TIME FRAME. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTE THE ENGINE COULD BE STARTED UP…”NHTSA complaint 10837790 — filed 02/23/2016

“I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 50MPH AROUND A CURVE IN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON…”NHTSA complaint 10807903 — filed 12/02/2015

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL…”NHTSA complaint 10759564 — filed 08/26/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Jeep Patriot have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Jeep Patriot: 114 of 353 complaints on file (32.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Jeep Patriot have in total?

353 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 9 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.