2012 Jeep Patriot Reliability
The 2012 Jeep Patriot has 354 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel / propulsion system. Compared with nearby Patriot model years (2010–2014), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Patriot's typical year, while the 2013 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
354
NHTSA owner complaints
4
Recall campaigns
9
Complaints citing a crash
5
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Jeep Patriot complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2011 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 114 | 32% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 86 | 24% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 63 | 18% |
| Air bags | 57 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 44 | 12% |
| Seat belts | 37 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 30 | 8% |
| Speed control / throttle | 29 | 8% |
2012 Jeep Patriot recalls
4 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V142000 | Apr 3, 2012 | Fuel system — storage / tank assembly | 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. |
| 13V120000 | Apr 3, 2013 | Fuel system | 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… |
| 13V233000 | Jun 4, 2013 | Air bags — side/window | 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… |
| 16V668000 | Sep 15, 2016 | Seat belts — pretensioner | 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,… |
How the 2012 compares with nearby Patriot years
Verdicts compare these Patriot model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 188 | 2 | Fuel / propulsion system | Better year |
| 2011 | 326 | 4 | Engine | Caution |
| 2012 (this page) | 354 | 4 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2013 | 120 | 1 | Air bags | Better year |
| 2014 | 548 | 2 | Engine | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2012 Jeep Patriot
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 4 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Jeep Patriot can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Jeep Patriot reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Jeep Patriot reliable?
The 2012 Jeep Patriot has 354 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel / propulsion system. Compared with nearby Patriot model years (2010–2014), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Patriot's typical year, while the 2013 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2012 Jeep Patriot problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Jeep Patriot are engine (114), fuel / propulsion system (86), powertrain / transmission (63), air bags (57). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Jeep Patriot have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Jeep Patriot, including 12V142000 (fuel system — storage / tank assembly) and 13V120000 (fuel system). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Jeep Patriot compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 326 complaints and 4 recalls (caution); the 2013 has 120 complaints and 1 recall (better year). The 2012 has 354 complaints and 4 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Jeep Patriot?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Jeep Patriot research
Other Jeep Patriot model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 Patriot, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.