2008 Jeep Patriot 4x4: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jan 1, 2015 · Suspension, Transmission · 55,000 miles · SD

2008 jeep patriot began making clunking/cracking noises from the front end at approximately 50,000 miles. Took into local jeep dealer and they stated the ball joints were in very poor condition and needed to be replaced via front end lower control arms. After seeing what they were going to charge, took to an alignment shop. While driving to this shop, brakes began grinding. Ball joint failure caused brakes and caliper to be misaligned on the rotor causing the rotors to be damaged. Mechanic pressed in moog ball joints they said would be superior to oem parts and that they replace ball joints on patriot, compass and caliber often. After getting ball joints replaced, the jeep began handling poorly in snow packed road conditions, where the front of the jeep feels uncontrollable and would sway from side to side, all while having total control of the steering wheel. Took back to jeep, they said it was a ball joint issue once again and that the inner tie rods were loose, but didn't think that a slightly loose tie rod would cause the jeep to go from side to side. Purchased new tires, thinking it was aging tires. No luck and vehicle over time has become unsafe to drive on road, even on regular driving conditions. Took to gmc dealer where a well known jeep mechanic works. Confirmed tie rods are loose and strut is leaking. I understand wear and tear on vehicles, but after researching jeep patriot reviews/problems, I came across an even more alarming trends in the front suspension and other http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97871 http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34529 http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41396 http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15863 http://www.edmunds.com/jeep/patriot/2008/SUV/consumer-reviews/ http://www.cars.com/jeep/patriot/2008/consumer-reviews/

Filed May 4, 2013 · Suspension · IN

I had been hearing grinding noises from the front of my jeep; still under 3/yr warranty- I brought it in to the dealership. At first they did not hear or see any concerns and stated the noise was my tires. Of course it was suggested to get my tires replaced especially my front right due to the uneven wear. So I did, sound continued to become more consistent- I took it back to the dealer and they found my control arms, and ball joints to be bad. Same problem is occurring again- took it back to dealer- they did not see/hear any problems and now I have a clunking noise louder than the grinding noise. I'm concerned this is a safety problem and I do not have the money to take to dealership again- not to mention I feel I've already paid for this problem once to be fixed.

Filed Oct 18, 2012 · Body, Visibility · 65,000 miles · OH

At about 15,000 miles we started to here "clunking" when driving the car, had it in several times for sun roof leaks and had the dealer take a look, but they could never find anything. This week had it in for the 5-year check up and in the notes it stated that the front control arms are bad. Did a search to find out more details and came across all these posts from other users. Looks like I'm now stuck with a large repair, similar to other users, for something that was an issue early on. All the miles have been highway miles. Not at all happy right now. If they were aware of the issue early on, why was it not found and repaired during that warranty period?

Filed Dec 15, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 41,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 jeep patriot 4x4. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to pull toward the right. Also, there was a loud clunking noise heard from outside of the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that both front lower ball joints were defective. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000. Updated 01/13/12*lj the dealer replaced both front lower control arms and the left outer tie rod. Updated 02/06/12

Filed Oct 25, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 30,980 miles · MI

On 9/21/2011 this vehicle was taken to our dealer for regular service at 30,979 miles. It was discovered to have defective and loose lower control arms and tie rod ends. The dealer indicated the vehicle was not safe to drive for any extended miles. There was at least 1/2" play in the wheels. The parts have now been replaced. Previous inspection & tire rotation at about 25,000 miles and 2 1/2 months ago indicated no suspension problems. The only clue to the problem was some 'clunking' noise in the front end when going over bumps. This vehicle was purchased new, has been serviced regularly by the selling dealer, is driven exclusively on the road, and has been in no accidents. Up until may 2011, it was driven only about 7,500 miles annually. It was out of warranty for only 40-days. I am incredulous that a well maintained 4wd vehicle would have a major suspension failure with such a rapid onset at such low miles. Research on the internet indicates this is a common and potentially dangerous experience by other jeep patriot owners that should be taken more seriously by the manufacturer than it currently is.

Filed Jul 7, 2011 · Suspension · 7,000 miles · NY

Driving home from the show room with less than 5 miles heard a clunk and grinding sound from front end. Brought it back to dealer and found both front rotors warped, clunking continued. @ around 7,000 miles clunking increased from front end of vehicle. Brought it to jeep dealer, found nothing. Noise continued to get worse. Brought it back to jeep and again found nothing. Clunking became nerve racking, @ 65,000 miles brought it to my personal mechanic and found that both control arms, bushings, and struts need to be replaced. And of course the manufactures warranty has expired!

Filed Jun 8, 2011 · Suspension · 41,000 miles · NJ

In march 2011, I brought my car to my regular mechanic for an oil change and basic inspection of the tires. Everything checked out fine. I asked him how the brakes looked, he did an inspection and found that they were in really good shape. In may, I noticed that there was a wobbling of the steering wheel when I neared 65 MPH and when I applied the brakes coming to a stop. I brought my car back to the mechanic on may 27, 2011 especially when I started to hear a clank/clunk/loud noise coming from the front passenger side occurring when the car encountered a bump or in making a right turn and encountering a bump at the same time. This noise was in addition to the wobbling now. Upon inspection the mechanic found that I needed brakes and rotors. The rotors were completely destroyed. This maintenance was done but the wobbling and loud noise persisted occurring at a speed of 50 MPH instead of starting at 65 MPH. I brought the car in again for another inspection and the mechanic found that the ball joints and control arms on the front end were bad, the right being much worse than the left. Basically the ball joints looked like they had been on a car with 100k miles on it when my vehicle has 41k and is under 3 years old. He stated that the faulty ball joints seemed to have caused the sudden damage to the brakes and rotors especially since he had just inspected the brakes in mid march. I spent $800 on brakes and rotors and will be paying an additional $800 for the ball joints and control arms to be replaced on the front end.

Filed Aug 11, 2010 · Suspension · 49,000 miles · PA

2008 jeep patriot 49,000 miles. Passenger side front end making loud clunking noise. Haven't located exact issue yet, but have it narrowed down to ball joint or tie-end.