2012 Jeep Patriot
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 119 of 354 complaints (34%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 326 in 2011 to 354 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–25 | 21–25 | 21–25 | 21–25 | 21–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–23 / 22–29 | 20–23 / 23–29 | 20–23 / 23–29 | 20–23 / 23–30 | 20–23 / 23–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 355–423 | 355–423 | 355–423 | 349–418 | 349–418 | |
| Complaints filed | 188 | 326 | 354 | 120 | 548 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 20 | 9 | 5 | 31 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 40 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Jeep Patriot have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Jeep Patriot?
Engine: 119 of 354 NHTSA complaints (34%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Jeep Patriot get?
EPA rates it 21–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Jeep Patriot?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 21 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 22 mpg | 27 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 21 mpg | 25 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 20 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 119 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 63 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 102 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 45 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 60 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 29 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · Campaign 16V668000 · Sep 15, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW; SEAT BELTS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 13V233000 · Jun 4, 2013
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or side airbags.
Consequence: In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 13V120000 · Apr 3, 2013
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles manufactured October 18, 2011, through May 7, 2012. Due to an incorrectly manufactured transfer tube, the transfer of fuel from the secondary side to the primary side of the fuel tank may be interrupted, causing the engine to stall.
Consequence: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank transfer tube free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 30, 2013. Owners were notified by Chrysler on July 19, 2013, that parts are now available. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N17.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 12V142000 · Apr 3, 2012
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 JEEP PATRIOT AND COMPASS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 17, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2012. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY CONTAINING A DAMAGED ROLL-OVER VALVE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT OR ROLL-OVER, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 25, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.