2014 Jeep Patriot: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · MO · crash · fire · 1 injury

On a fateful day, I, [XXX] , found myself in a harrowing situation on the interstate. While driving, my car unexpectedly flipped over, tumbling four times before coming to a jarring stop. The chaos began when my engine backfired violently, which was followed by the alarming sight of smoke rising from under the hood as flames erupted. To make matters worse, my four-wheel drive system malfunctioned, leaving me helpless and unable to regain control. Despite my efforts, the seatbelt that is supposed to ensure safety failed to hold me securely, and the airbag system did not deploy, adding to the sense of dread I experienced during the crash. As I tried to process the unfolding nightmare, I found myself unable to unbuckle my seatbelt due to the shock and disorientation of the accident. The dashboard's sensors were unresponsive, and my speed monitor flickered as though mocking my plight. In that moment, the overwhelming fear and confusion turned into a painful reality as I was left with a broken left shoulder blade and a fractured left forearm, the break occurring in the upper arm, just adding to the turmoil of the incident. This life-altering experience not only left me physically injured but also sparked a deep reflection on my life and the importance of safety measures in vehicles. On a fateful day, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 20, 2020 · Body · 176,000 miles · NM

The muffler melted the body of the vehicle. It almost caught fire after 2 hours on the road with no indication. We managed to push muffler down and it stopped melting the plastic. We stopped for gas and saw the damage. I did not notice the muffler was stuck in the upward position before the trip so it was not a concern until we stopped. We were on interstate 25 southbound right out of albuquerque, nm.

Filed Oct 12, 2020 · Electrical · 119,000 miles · PA · fire

The dashboard starting on the passenger side all the way over to the steering column caught fire and melted the entire dashboard.I parked my car around 9pm and went back out around 11:30pm to get something out and found my dashboard completely melted. I was told by the fire company that because the windows were all closed tightly the fire smothered itself. I had to have it towed to the body shop and they called and told me it was an electrical fire. My car was totaled.

Filed Oct 8, 2017 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · MD · fire

While parked and idling, electronic systems started malfunctioning - indicator lights, wipers, brake booster, radio - all turned on with or without the key in the ignition. Smoke began to pour from the totally integrated power module (tipm) in the engine compartment, which then briefly stared on fire. Only disconnecting the battery allowed the module to cool down and stop smoking.

Filed May 11, 2017 · Engine · 31,500 miles · MA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2014 jeep patriot. While driving approximately 65 MPH exiting the highway, the contact noticed smoke inside the vehicle. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, exited the vehicle and noticed smoke under the hood. The engine burst into flames and black smoke appeared. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing company lot and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 31,500. Updated 06/28/17*lj

Filed Jul 6, 2015 · Electrical · 14,500 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 jeep patriot. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was notified and the fire marshall stated that the fire was due to faulty wiring. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 14,500.

Filed Mar 25, 2015 · Electrical · 18,631 miles · TX · fire

I had just exited the highway when I saw sparks from the tail end of my jeep. I thought someone had thrown out a cigarette, but then I saw more sparks fly. I pulled over immediately into a gas station. I turned off the car, which had started to smoke from under the hood. Within a few minutes the whole hood was engulfed in smoke and it was coming in to the inside of the jeep through the air vents. I called my brother for help. When he got there was still smoke, but he looked through the grill of the jeep and that's when he saw flames. I immediately called 911 and within minutes the firefighters were there and hosed down under the hood. I have had the jeep sitting in a shop lot waiting for chrysler to help me, but it has been 2 weeks and I am still without a car and no answers.

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Body · 2,800 miles · NY

I was driving my jeep on the thruway and it seemed to sound really loud, like a motorcycle, the jeep was not running right, could not accelerate normally, and I could smell a funny smell. After a while the noise started to drop, but it was still noticeably louder than before. I was not sure what was going on and I told my dad about it after I got home. He went outside to check it out and noticed the exhaust system had flipped and the tail pipe was lodged up in the bumper, the plastic was melted, a hole was burnt in the bumber, and part of the frame was melted too. We called the dealership to get it fixed since the vehicle is still under warranty (before the first oil change) but they refused claiming that the car was hit, although no sign of impact can be found. We called chrysler and after a few months of going back to the dealers to have pictures taken and discussions they refused to fix the jeep too. I know, this is an issue on the patriot especially since I found a few identical complaints (something about tolerance stack up resulting in a shorted exhaust system), and since it is so close to the gas tank, I am very lucky the vehicle did not catch on fire before resetting the exhaust system into position. I am not sure what to do next! I am 100% sure I should not be responsible for this repair.

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Electrical · 10,000 miles · PA · fire

On this day while driving on 95 south to franklin mills mall from upper darby we noticed an electrical burning smell. Once I was at the mall parking lot looking for a parking space my son indicates that there is smoke coming from under hood on passenger side. I put car in park in front of the j c penney store my son jumps out and attempts to open the hood. But it doesn't open. He then says get out it is on fire. We all get out and when we move safely away from car we can see fire under the car with wires hanging down to the ground. My son is a volunteer fire fighter so he ran into the store to get an extinguisher. He sprays the hood I guess in an attempt to cool car down. Then again, before the fire trucks arrive, he had gone into store again to get another extinguisher. This time he gets on the ground an extinguisher toward the fire that was intensively spreading under the car. Fire fighters come and eventually had to pry the hood open and smoke and flames billow out until the managed to put out fire. No warnings however I did notice that electrical burn smell once two days prior to incident. So now my insurance determine it a total loss. They paid $17,000 to my creditor but I'm stuck with a $6000 balance and no car to drive. I wonder if I can sue manufacturer in small claims court for @ $10,000 or so?

Filed May 4, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 1,437 miles · VA

Was traveling on the highway at approximately 45 MPH, glanced at the passenger side mirror and noticed grey smoke coming from the back of the vehicle within a few seconds the "check engine" light came on. I stopped at a traffic light before a safe pull over spot was available. Once light changed to green, vehicle would barley move even with increased throttle pressure. Got the vehicle to a safe spot off the highway. Noticed a lot of transmission fluid flowing from under the vehicle. Had to have vehicle towed to dealer.