Jeep Patriot 4x4 harsh shifting problems

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Body · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 jeep patriot 4x4. While driving approximately 15 MPH in snowy weather conditions and making a turn, a loud clunking noise emitted underneath the vehicle with a constant vibration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the cross-member fractured due to rust corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 Jun 20, 2013 · Suspension, Wheels · 48,000 miles · KS

Purchased this vehicle in may of 2012. Vehicle makes large rattling racket when going over any type of dirt road/brick road and a clunk when going over large bumps (speed bumps). Have taken to mechanic several times - turns out the large clunk was the ball joints...they were completely worn at 48000 miles which in turn changed the alignment of my wheels - as well as after driving it a mere 10000 miles made both front tires completely bald.

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 21, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 21,000 miles · AE

At less than 370000 miles, (just out of warranty) I noticed a clunking and rattling noise from the front driver side of my 2009 jeep patriot. After a few days it spread to the passenger side front. When taking off or braking, especially around 5-10 MPH, the clunking is really loud. I drove to chrysler in wiesbaden, germany, and informed them that I believe it was a lower ball joint making the noise on both sides. Later they called me and said I was right, and they do not do ball joint repair, they replace the control arm. Makes sense, I am a mechanic, sae certified, working at a repair facility. The customer service manager also said I needed a cv boot on the passenger side. Cost of a control arm (part only-600 euro!!. Cost of a cv boot, just a piece of rubber, 201 euro. Parts only. Total cost with parts and labor would have been 1,060 euro, about 1200 us dollars for one side only. I did not allow them to rob me, so I ordered both sides, control arms, cv boots, inner and outer tie rods complete. I installed them with the help of my supervisor using manufacturer's data to torque all bolts and nuts. Parts used were chrysler USA parts. The replacement parts started making the same noises the same day. Chrysler needs to recall these cars and manufacture a fitting part. The material is too cheap for such a heavy car. So, no warranty, no recall (nobody died yet!) and no cooperation from chrysler.

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 Nov 1, 2011 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · SD

This vehicle is my daughters and when we took it in to have new tires installed they discovered the defects. In april 2010 my daughter complained of a clunking noise when she would hit a bump in the road. She called me and I assured her that it was safe to drive with only 35000 miles on the vehicle. During this same time frame she took this jeep in for a regular oil change and at billion motors in sioux falls,sd and they tell her she has a bad tie rod end. Again I assured her that with only 35000 miles it is okay to drive. I have been a mechanic for over 30 years, but I was wrong. When we took this "jeep" in to new tires installed the technician informed us that the right front lower ball joint and the left front outer tie rod end were defective. We went to the tire shop and he showed me the defective parts, so I had new parts installed. At this time the vehicle was four years old or "new" and had 44,000 miles. If this vehicle had been abused maybe these parts would be bad, but it never leaves the highway. Maybe jeep needs to install grease zerks in their parts. Ball joints used to last 150,000 miles, these must be new and improved -huh!!! Having bad ball joints and tie rod ends on a vehicle three years old is just wrong. How many of these parts have failed and caused accidents? *tr the consumer stated a couple of years ago, the vehicle began stalling randomly. The vehicle displayed an engine code: p2110 throttle actuator control system. The dealer changed the transmission fluid twice, and performed some transmission updated. However, as the consumers daughter was driving home, the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, where there cleaned the throttle body. However, the vehicle continued to stall. Updated 11/04/15.

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 29, 2011 · Steering · 47,500 miles · MA

Jeep began making clunking sound when turning. Informed that lower control arms with ball joints in the front need to be replaced. Had this happen on a previouly owned jeep liberty but that was repaired via a recall. This is the same issue on a similar vehicle. Have seen that there are many similar complaints regarding this issue on patriots with relatively low mileage. The manufacturer should issue a recall as this is the same issue they performed a recall on for a previous model. A failing ball joint poses a serious safety risk.