2011 Jeep Patriot: whining or grinding noise

Filed Feb 13, 2019 · Transmission · 116,900 miles · ME

We have had three incidents so far of our 2011 jeep patriot losing significant power and struggling to accelerate. The first involved overheating on a mountain road after a long road trip. Allowing the car to rest allowed us to make it to our destination with no further symptoms during the remainder of our trip. Twice in the last week rpms drop unless burying the accelerator into the floor, at which point there is a loud whining sound with little to show in terms of speed. We have been unable to get the speed over 55 MPH on a highway with a speed limit of 70. We also lose the ability to adjust the gear manually. After exiting the highway the car continues to be slow to gain speed at lights, and worse making it uphill to our home, even at 25 MPH. After resting the issue subsides until returning without warning. Searching google for "jeep CVT failure" yields dozens of results for jeep patriot and compass, as well as other vehicles using the same jatco CVT transmission. This failure makes the vehicle extremely dangerous on the highway, and the "solution" to the problem seems to be to continually replace the transmission at a cost $5000 per incident to the owner with the same flawed product. I shudder to think what would happen if my speed cut out on me while overtaking a freight truck, or making a left across traffic on a busy street. Please look into this matter, and let's get jatco to at least swap out the transmission for a reconditioned one when these failures occur.

Filed Feb 4, 2019 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · NC

There have been numerous complaints of early transmission failure, even with with normal servicing. Issues start with a whining noise, overheat warnings, and an inability to accelerate. The most common solution is replacement of the transmission. Late 2014 model year patriots changed to a non-CVT transmission. After replacing original CVT transmission for $2,500 it failed again within 6 months. The jeep is undrive-able. There should be a recall on the CVT transmission. My jeep is undrive-able and still owe $5900 while it sits in the driveway!! Transmission slips while driving and jeep stalls making it extremely dangerous to drive. Internet forums have countless compalints about these CVT transmissions with same symptoms!!

Filed Jan 11, 2016 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · PA

While driving on the highway the engine will start to whine and then lose power. Sometimes the transmission light will come on and sometimes it does not. Had to pull over 10 times during a trip that was 141 miles . Only 2 occupants in the car with no baggage or towing. Definitely was not overloaded and speeds were around 65 MPH the entire trip. We do not feel safe in this car anymore and this is our family travel car!

Filed Sep 25, 2015 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · CT

While driving up a long highway hill on a very hot day, the transmission started making a high pitched whining sound. I pulled over to the shoulder to see if I could see anything leaking etc. After finding nothing obvious I reentered traffic and it was fine until we hit the next hill, and the whining started again. On the downside of the hill the sound went away. Once I got to my destination I looked online and saw complaints of transmission fluid overheating causing the same issue. The ride home was at night and after I dropped off my passengers and there were no problems. Since that time I've noticed occasional "bucking" when driving on flat smooth highway. I made an appointment at my local dealer to check this out. I explained both the bucking and the whining, but they didn't seem too concerned. They updated the software and sent me on my way. I'm very concerned that there is a design or manufacturing problem with this transmission and jeep is not admitting to it. There are many indications online and on this site... I am very concerned about driving this vehicle, especially on warm days.

Filed Sep 18, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 50,000 miles · MI

The car was purchased for our daughter who turned (16) nov 2014. Most of the driving took place on local roads with short-term highway miles..(10-15 mins). The first instance occurred on july 4th, driving to relatives for a bbq & fireworks, our family took (2) cars, my daughter had been driving about 40 mins @ 75mph, when the car started making a whining noise and the temp lite appeared on her dashboard. She said the car was bogging down so she pulled over and called us. She waited 10 mins then continued the additional 15min drive without issue. We took the car into our auto repair shop, where the right front wheel bearing was replaced, as they could not find anything wrong with the engine/powertrain, fluids were fine. Total cost with labor and materials $260.14. The 2nd instance occurred on sept 18 (today), driving to visit a friend, mainly highway miles, 75-80 MPH. She called after (1.5) hours, stating that the temp light appeared and the car was making whining noises. She said the car was not reacting right and felt it was going to stall. When she pressed the gas pedal it would not react. She pulled off the expressway and pulled into a gas station turning off the engine for about (10) minutes. She started the car and finished the last 1/2 hr of expressway miles, staying well under 70 MPH, with no issues. The concern is that the problem occurs during highway traveling over 70 MPH consistantly over (1) hour. Posing a safety risk of stalling or not bogging down on the highway. This car will be taken to college in the spring 2016, 2-3 hours away where she will be doing regular highway driving and getting to the destination safetly is all that matters.

Filed Aug 17, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 56,200 miles · AZ

While going about 75 MPH, coming back from california, the engine seemed to start making a different whining type sound and then the light telling me the transmission was overheating came on. I immediately pulled over and let it sit for 10 minutes while idling , which the owner manual suggested,. The light then went off and we proceeded home with no further incident. It was really strange though when you are in a large group of vehicle's and you suddenly lose all ability to accelerate; definitely a potential safety issue out on the road..

Filed Sep 12, 2013 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · NV

Driving on freeway, at approx 65 MPH, car whines, then dies. Also, the transmission overheat light comes on all the time. Sometimes it just dies while driving. This is possibly a catastrophic accident. I want action now!!!!!