Produced from 2007 to 2017, the Patriot is the most affordable SUV carrying a Jeep badge. Although the 2016 Jeep Patriot scores 4.3 out of five stars in Vehicle History owner reviews, reports of failing brakes and faulty power steering are cause for concern.
Key Points
- The 2016 Jeep Patriot has one recall, two open investigations, and over 300 complaints registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- The SUV’s only recall covers flawed crankshaft sensors that could cause engine stalls while the vehicle was in motion.
- The NHTSA’s investigations revolve around several owner complaints about airbags not deploying properly.
- Power steering and brake pedals going out intermittently while driving has put many owners in hazardous situations.
- Water leaking into the 2016 Patriot’s cabin is the SUV’s most common issue posted on the Car Complaints website.
2016 Jeep Patriot’s Single Recall is Over Defective Crankshaft Sensors That May Cause Engine Stall
Jeep’s affordable compact SUV, the Patriot, had a rough time proving to be reliable since its debut in 2007. Although most of the sport utility vehicle’s problematic years are behind it, the 2016 Jeep Patriot is accompanied by some concerning safety issues.
Not so long after entering the market, the 2016 Patriot was recalled for a faulty crankshaft sensor that reportedly works intermittently, leading to engine stalls. Dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor in affected vehicles for free.
Two Open Investigations Indicate 2016 Patriot Has Serious Airbag Problems, Including Systems That May Not Activate in a Crash
Due to many owner complaints, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened two investigations over the 2016 Patriot’s airbag problems.
The first investigation pertains to a flawed airbag sensor that determines whether or not deployment is required in a crash.
The second investigation concerns models equipped with Takata airbags that have inflators that could degrade after prolonged exposure to humidity and significant temperature change.
In case of deployment, airbag inflators could rupture and strike passengers with metal pieces, leading to severe injuries.
Many Owners Have Complained About Malfunctioning Brakes and Power Steering
In addition to numerous complaints about engine stalls that led to a recall, owners have complained to the NHTSA about other alarming problems, such as the power steering assist going out intermittently at various speeds.
Owners note that when the power steering goes out without warning, it requires excessive strength to maneuver the SUV. Also, several drivers mention that their 2016 Patriot swerves to the right when trying to keep it in a straight line at highway speeds.
There are also many complaints registered with the NHTSA about the brakes not functioning properly. According to reports, despite depressing the brake pedal, owners were unable to stop the car even at speeds as low as five mph. Two of the 16 complaints about the brakes mention the issue led to a crash.
Some owners have also mentioned that the gas pedal intermittently goes out and fails to send engine power to the wheels. Reports on Car Complaints indicate that owners have dealt with malfunctioning gas pedals after only 27,200 miles of driving.
Water Leaking From the Sunroof Into the Cabin Has Caused Trouble for Many 2016 Patriot Owners
Another widespread issue with the 2016 Jeep Patriot is water leakage from the sunroof, which is a recurring problem mentioned on Car Complaints. According to reports, water leaks could appear even before putting 1,000 miles on the odometer.
Owners on the popular Jeep Patriot forum and Reddit echo dealing with leakage problems.
“After a heavy rain, when I get in and shut the door, a couple drops of water drip out from the edges of the buttons that turn on the cabin lights or sometimes out of the clear lamp housings themselves,” said one owner on Reddit.
In most cases, the problem comes from rubber tubes from the sunroof drain pan getting clogged up, forcing water to collect in the pan, and ultimately reaching the cabin through dome lights or an A-pillar.
2016 Jeep Patriot’s Recalls are Few, But Some Serious Problems Affect its Overall Reliability
Based on real owner reviews on Vehicle History, the 2016 Jeep Patriot scores 4.3 out of five stars.
Car and Driver tested the 2016 Patriot and said it “can’t really be called fun to drive” due to CVT issues, engine noises, and poor interior quality.
Like previous model years, the 2016 Patriot suffers from serious problems like engine stalls and defective brake pedals, making it fall short of its rivals.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a used 2016 Jeep Patriot has a price range of $14,700 to $21,053.
Within the same price range, a 2016 Subaru Forester offers a more potent powertrain, better standard tech, and more impressive fuel economy with up to 32 mpg on the highway.
Photos: Stellantis
