2009 Jeep Patriot: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2009 Jeep Patriot
On the 2009 Jeep Patriot, the failure owners report most often is control arm, ball joint or bushing failure, and the reports cluster around 57,500 miles. The earliest to appear is other electrical problem, reported by a median of 25,000 miles. Overall it scores 70 out of 100, high risk for a 2009.
High risk for a 2009 — 125th riskiest of the 295 2009 vehicles we can rate. 292 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 42 named failure modes on the 2009 Jeep Patriot, and the three most-reported carry 31% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure leads with 41 reports, about 347 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 39k to 90,000 miles.
Other body or interior problem follows with 26 reports, usually reported between 12k to 115,000 miles.
Sunroof failure or glass breakage follows with 23 reports, usually reported between 11k to 70,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into body (61), suspension (53) and electrical (32).
When these failures get reported
233 of the reports on the 2009 Jeep Patriot came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 79,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 30% by 50,000 miles, 65% by 100,000 miles and 93% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 2 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 90,000 and 100,000 miles, which alone holds 9% of the dated reports.
24% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
In the order they tend to show up: other electrical problem around 23k, sunroof failure or glass breakage around 42k, control arm, ball joint or bushing failure around 57k and other body or interior problem around 65k.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 42. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 2 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 2 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 1 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.66, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: control arm, ball joint or bushing failure at $400–$2,200, other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000, sunroof failure or glass breakage at $700–$4,500 and fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure at $250–$1,800. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
18% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 41 | 30 | 39k | 57k | 89k | 347.5 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 26 | 24 | 12k | 65k | 115k | 220.3 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 23 | 18 | 11k | 42k | 72k | 194.9 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 20 | 15 | 63k | 71k | 132k | 169.5 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other engine problem | engine | 20 | 17 | 91k | 102k | 115k | 169.5 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 20 | 16 | 27k | 78k | 106k | 169.5 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 14 | 14 | 40k | 86k | 135k | 118.6 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Rust or structural corrosion | body | 11 | 7 | — | 102k | — | 93.2 | $500–$6,000 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 11 | 10 | 44k | 71k | 105k | 93.2 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 10 | 8 | 11k | 23k | 105k | 84.7 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 10 | 10 | 67k | 94k | 102k | 84.7 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 8 | 7 | — | 140k | — | 67.8 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Overheating | cooling | 5 | 3 | — | 127k | — | 42.4 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 5 | 2 | — | 77k | — | 42.4 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Other steering problem | steering | 5 | 3 | — | 75k | — | 42.4 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 5 | 5 | — | 27k | — | 42.4 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 4 | 1 | — | 48k | — | 33.9 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 4 | 4 | — | 88k | — | 33.9 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 4 | 4 | — | 114k | — | 33.9 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 3 | 3 | — | 90k | — | 25.4 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 3 | 2 | — | 51k | — | 25.4 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 3 | 2 | — | 67k | — | 25.4 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 3 | 2 | — | 3k | — | 25.4 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 2 | 2 | — | 70k | — | 16.9 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 2 | 2 | — | 161k | — | 16.9 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 16.9 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 2 | 2 | — | 120k | — | 16.9 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 79k | — | 8.5 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 160k | — | 8.5 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Water pump failure | cooling | 1 | 1 | — | 110k | — | 8.5 | $500–$2,200 | High |
| Thermostat failure | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 8.5 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 82k | — | 8.5 | $250–$1,400 | High |
| Fuel injector failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 77k | — | 8.5 | $450–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 99k | — | 8.5 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 1 | 1 | — | 113k | — | 8.5 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 1 | 1 | — | 90k | — | 8.5 | $200–$900 | High |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 3k | — | 8.5 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Tire pressure monitor failure | wheels | 1 | 1 | — | 30k | — | 8.5 | $80–$600 | Low |
| Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure | body | 1 | 1 | — | 3k | — | 8.5 | $250–$1,500 | Moderate |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 8.5 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 1 | 1 | — | 114k | — | 8.5 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 118k | — | 8.5 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Unclassified problem | other | 11 | 7 | — | 66k | — | 93.2 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2009 Jeep Patriot draws about 2,475 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 100th percentile of complaint rates among 2009 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 118 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2009 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure
Right lower control arm needed replacement at just over 37,000 miles. The left lower control arm was replaced previously at 28,000 miles. In 50 years, I've never owned a car that needed to have the control arms replaced this quickly. Seems like this is a design defect that ought to be corrected by chrysler. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 jeep patriot. The contact was driving approximate y 40 MPH when the transmission emitted an abnormal noise as the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume as normal. In addition, the rear end of the vehicle began to shake continuously. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on six occasions for the failure. The technician advised the contact that the central computer system needed to be updated. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic for a second opinion and the mechanic advised that the rear lower control arm, pcv and the power train module would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Other body or interior problem
I purchased a 2009 jeep patriot on august 1st and after it rains I have water pouring from the dome light as I approach a stop sign. Well, I nearly ran into some one due to the water raining down on me. I have googled the problem and to my dismay, numerous people have had this problem to the point of enacting state lemon laws. This is a problem that really needs attention. *tr
When front seats are pushed back fully there are razor sharp metal rails exposed. There are plastic covers installed that are equally sharp and catch on soes, clothing and skin. Both my husband and I have drawn blood on our shins several times. I have attempted to resolve with jeep and they advise there is nothing they can do. *tr
Sunroof failure or glass breakage
I purchased a new 2009 jeep patriot on 7/10/09 and paid cash. On 8/20/09 I took it to the dealership with 2,563 miles on it because water was pouring into the dash, radio, and onto me while driving after a rainy night. They adjusted sunroof glass and resealed open seams in sunroof fame and said it was fixed. On 9/10/09 I took it back to dealership with 3,316 miles on it for the same exact problem of water pouring from the dome light all over the dash, radio, and me again after another rainy night. They replaced sunroof glass weatherstripping and said it was fixed again. On 11/17/10 after a very long hard rain I took it back to dealership with 18,706 miles on it with water pouring from the dome light and from the rear dome and from the passenger side rear door area. The carpet was soaked and the dome light had stopped working. They repositioned drain tubes and replaced sunroof glass and seal. In the process they broke our headliner but agreed to order another one for us. On 12/14/10 after another hard rain I took it back to dealership with 19,604 miles on it with water pouring from headliner at the passenger rear door area and…
I purchased a new 2009 jeep patriot on 7/10/09 and paid cash. On 8/20/09 I took it to the dealership with 2,563 miles on it because water was pouring into the dash, radio, and onto me while driving after a rainy night. They adjusted sunroof glass and resealed open seams in sunroof fame and said it was fixed. On 9/10/09 I took it back to dealership with 3,316 miles on it for the same exact problem of water pouring from the dome light all over the dash, radio, and me again after another rainy night. They replaced sunroof glass weatherstripping and said it was fixed again. On 11/17/10 after a very long hard rain I took it back to dealership with 18,706 miles on it with water pouring from the dome light and from the rear dome and from the passenger side rear door area. The carpet was soaked and the dome light had stopped working. They repositioned drain tubes and replaced sunroof glass and seal. In the process they broke our headliner but agreed to order another one for us. On 12/14/10 after another hard rain I took it back to dealership with 19,604 miles on it with water pouring from headliner at the passenger rear door area and…
Recalls on the 2009 model year
NHTSA has issued 1 recall campaign covering the 2009 Jeep Patriot, affecting an estimated 118 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/t. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
712 vehicles 2008-10-09- Defect
- Chrysler is recalling 712 my 2009 sebring, dodge caliber, avenger, journey, jeep patriot, and compass vehicles. A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break.
- Consequence
- This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the PCM free of charge. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2009 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
High risk for a 2009 — 125th riskiest of the 295 2009 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.
Across the 11 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2007 comes out best at 56 and 2016 worst at 75, with 2009 itself at 70.
If the model year is negotiable, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2013 score lower than 2009 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2007–2009 generation specifically, 2007 is the strongest year at 56 and 2009 the weakest at 70.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2007-2009 generation, 2007 Jeep Patriot scores best at 56 and 2009 Jeep Patriot worst at 70.
Where to spend the inspection money
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: sunroof failure or glass breakage from about 11k, other electrical problem from about 11k, other body or interior problem from about 12k and other powertrain problem from about 27k.
On a 2009 Jeep Patriot with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether sunroof failure or glass breakage has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
Where these figures stop being useful
292 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 292 reports, 233 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 80% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Jeep Patriot?
The most-reported failures are control arm, ball joint or bushing failure (41 reports, median 57,500 miles), other body or interior problem (26 reports, median 65,000 miles) and sunroof failure or glass breakage (23 reports, median 40,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2009 Jeep Patriot problems start?
Other electrical problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 25,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 10,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 79,000 miles.
Is the 2009 Jeep Patriot reliable?
It scores 70 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 125th riskiest of the 295 2009 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2009 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Jeep Patriot is best?
Within the 2007–2009 generation, 2007 scores best at 56 out of 100 and 2009 worst at 70. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed