2012 Jeep Patriot Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 352 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Jeep Patriot overview page.
What owners report
“WE OWN A 2012 JEEP COMPASS (VIN [XXX]) AND A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT (VIN [XXX]).. BOTH TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBES HAVE BROKEN OFF IN THE EXACT…”NHTSA complaint 10851846 — filed 03/28/2016
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DECELERATED. IN ADDITION, THE…”NHTSA complaint 10782952 — filed 10/16/2015
“WHILE SHIFTING INTO THIRD GEAR THE VEHICLE REVVED REALLY HIGH AND WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO SHIFT. AFTER TOWING THE PATRIOT TO THE SHOP I WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10765291 — filed 09/19/2015
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Jeep Patriot have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Jeep Patriot: 61 of 352 complaints on file (17.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Jeep Patriot have in total?
352 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 9 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
