Reliable Auto DB

2016 Jeep Patriot reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Jeep Patriot holds 458 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 34 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Patriot years here — over the median of the other years, which is 17. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Engine.

2012 Jeep Patriot
Photo by JamesYoung8167, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

458

Per year

34

Recalls

1

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (224 of 458), then Electrical system (99) and Powertrain (74). Those filings include 24 that report a crash, 8 that report a fire, and 16 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Patriot has 315 complaints, 24 per year, and the 2017 has 59 complaints, 6 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Jeep Patriot. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Engine 2016-12-16 · NHTSA campaign 16V907000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (458 total)

Engine
224
Electrical system
99
Powertrain
74
Speed control
49
Fuel and propulsion system
41
Air bags
33
Service brakes
24
Steering
24
Seats
20
Electronic stability control (ESC)
19
Engine and engine cooling
18
Seat belts
14
Structure
13
Suspension
9
Exterior lighting
8
Wheels
7
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Tires
2
Hydraulic brakes
1
Parking brake
1
Traction control
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 14 more Show less
Crash-flagged

24

Fire-flagged

8

Injury reports

16

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12015222016212017572018792019712020502021362022392023382024282025162026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Speed control, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-19
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Speed control, Engine · filed 2026-08-13
  • "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.…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-10
  • "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."
    Seats, Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-11
  • "Driveshaft sensor failure Vehicle stalling while driving dropping to zero rpm vehicle dying completely to zero start at low rpm’s"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-06-24

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Jeep Patriot SUV 2WD 4 stars 3 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2016 Jeep Patriot SUV 4WD 4 stars 3 stars 5 stars 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Patriot four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Four-wheel drive 20 23 21 MPG $3100
Patriot four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Four-wheel drive 22 27 24 MPG $2700
Patriot four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 20 25 22 MPG $2950
Patriot front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 21 27 23 MPG $2800
Patriot front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-wheel drive 22 26 24 MPG $2700
Patriot front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 28 25 MPG $2600
Patriot front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 23 30 25 MPG $2600

Specs and fitment

MK74 generation, 2012–2018
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 (2.0L and 2.4L) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 215/65R17 (typical)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 16V668000. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash. If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Jeep Patriot Next year 2017 Jeep Patriot See every Jeep Patriot model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Jeep Patriot reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Jeep Patriot holds 458 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 34 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Patriot years here — over the median of the other years, which is 17. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Engine.

What are common problems with a 2016 Jeep Patriot?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (224 of 458), then Electrical system (99) and Powertrain (74). Those filings include 24 that report a crash, 8 that report a fire, and 16 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 Jeep Patriot more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Patriot has 315 complaints, 24 per year, and the 2017 has 59 complaints, 6 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Jeep Patriot been recalled?

The 2016 Jeep Patriot has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Jeep Patriot?

Owners have filed 458 complaints about the 2016 Jeep Patriot with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Jeep Patriot get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Jeep Patriot is 23.4 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Patriot take?

Viscosity and capacity depend on engine and model year; use the generation specs here and confirm in the owner’s manual.

What generation is the 2015 Jeep Patriot?

MK74 generation (2012-2018) for the US years this site tracks.

What tire size does a Jeep Patriot commonly use?

A typical US fit on this generation is 215/65R17.