Is the 2016 Jeep Patriot a bad year?
459 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 238, 9.2× a quiet Patriot year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Jeep Patriot were filed between 41k and 89k miles. You're at 60,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 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 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 238 (52%) | 41k–89k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 99 (22%) | 25k–74k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 49 (11%) | 30k–72k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 74 (16%) | 40k–82k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 43 (9%) | 39k–64k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 25 (5%) | 8k–60k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Seats | 20 (4%) | 50k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 19 (4%) | 44k–75k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 33 (7%) | 9k–42k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 25 (5%) | 16k–54k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (2%) | 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 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 459 complaints: 24 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 40 say the car was towed.
20 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Takata recall I was driving my 2016 Jeep patriot when it stared making a noise and shutter then lost power and stalled in the middle of the road.
Jeep in motion, engine stalls at varies speeds multiple times in a row. Headed straight or turning, had to call tow truck but after 20 minutes I tried to turn over my Jeep and it started.
Takata recall the engine light is on and the transmission slips when the vehicle is on the highway in motion losing the power.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 60,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Jeep Patriot: 1
The crankshaft or camshaft sensor may only work intermittently, causing the engine to stall. If the engine stalls, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
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: 76
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Jeep Patriot. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Gear Ratio DTC's, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
Pentastar Oil Filter Adapter All vehicles equipped with a 3.2L or 3.6L engine; If replacing the Oil Filter Adapter…
Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect oil pump for relief valve failure
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Electrical overstress
Neighbouring years
2015 Patriot: 316 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2017 Patriot: 59 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 2016 Jeep Patriot a bad year?
459 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 238, 9.2× a quiet Patriot year. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Jeep Patriot were filed between 41k and 89k miles. You're at 60,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Jeep Patriot?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (238), electrical system (99), speed control (49), transmission and drivetrain (74), fuel system (43). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 41k–89k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Jeep Patriot have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 16V-907). 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.