Is the 2009 Jeep Patriot a bad year?
273 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 50, 2× a quiet Patriot year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 59k–118k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Patriot owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 91,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 61 (22%) | 24k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 53 (19%) | 36k–91k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 50 (18%) | 59k–118k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 49 (18%) | 65k–120k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 39 (14%) | 56k–107k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 33 (12%) | 25k–101k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 22 (8%) | 50k–102k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 17 (6%) | 45k–110k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Stability control | 10 (4%) | 68k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 9 (3%) | 55k–116k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (3%) | 65k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | 60k–110k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (3%) | 39k–90k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 91,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 273 complaints: 5 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 4 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jan 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Little by little the electrical to my car has been going. Im the first owner and first the front power windows, then the horn and then the lights stopped working.
I was in motion and the trans temp light light up and my car began to stale in the middle of the highway. I was traveling alone and 4 hours away .
Problem with antilock brakes: all the lights on the dash are on. They intermittently go off, but mostly they stay on.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 91,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 Jeep Patriot: 2
These seat covers are made of heavier thread and are not compatible with seats containing side airbags. The heavier seat cover could interfere with full deployment of the airbag in the event of a crash. An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.
A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break. This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Jeep: 30
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Jeep Patriot. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Front And Rear Crossmember Corrosion (X69 Warranty Extension)
Water Leaks At The Front And/Or Rear Roof Area
Dodge: fuel gauge fluctuation
Neighbouring years
2008 Patriot: 447 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2010 Patriot: 188 complaints, keep it.
Every Jeep Patriot year
2002 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · All Patriot years side by side
Other Jeep models: Jeep Cherokee · Jeep Commander · Jeep Compass · Jeep Gladiator · Jeep Grand Cherokee · Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe · Jeep Grand Cherokee L · Jeep Grand Wagoneer · Jeep Laredo · Jeep Liberty · Jeep Renegade · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2009 Jeep Patriot a bad year?
273 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 50, 2× a quiet Patriot year. At 91,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 59k–118k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Jeep Patriot?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (61), suspension (53), transmission and drivetrain (50), engine (49), fuel system (39). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 59k–118k miles.
How many recalls does the 2009 Jeep Patriot have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 10E043000), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 08V-528). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.