2016 Jeep Patriot: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

One month ago while driving on Business US10, the vehicle had the sensation like the engine had stopped no acceleration, lightning bolts and engine light came on with a sound of a ding ding, ding. Pulled over to the entrance of a Shell station. Shut the vehicle off. restarted within 5 minutes and drove 1 mile to the dealership. The mechanic said it was most likely the throttle body but would have to schedule me out a few weeks and don't leave town in case you need a tow. After a few days the lights on the dash were no longer present. called the dealership and told them the lights were not showing on the dashboard. He advised It was most likely a glitch, but they would check it out. Following appointment, they sent me on my way and said they could not find anything wrong. Since then July 2026 the vehicle has an awful smell upon starting up, using a lot of gas, spitting, hesitating upon acceleration, poor ideal, Aug 12 2026 while entering US10 ramp vehicle hesitated upon acceleration, lightning bolts were blinking on a off but then it went away, I had a complete tune up the following week along with air filters and oil change done according to maintenance recommendations, That didn't help the problem at all. I am a 77 yr. old disabled women who have many doctor appointments and do not need a vehicle which may cause the risk of the engine stalling, loss of control not to mention other hazards. Aug 17,2026 took the vehicle to a Jeep dealer where they put the equipment to read the history and present problems, It showed error Electronic throttle. no other codes. So, now another issue they can't get my car in until this 1st week of September 2026 for a diagnosis. I asked if there would be any reason not to drive the vehicle, they said don't leave town. This vehicle has now caused me great anxiety and in fear that the vehile will stop at a traffic light, when I have to slow down approaching aa turn. I am asking and requesting this is considered a grave saftey hazard .

Filed Feb 6, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Several incidents when driving where the vehicle hesitates then the RPMs drop to zero and the Vehicle does not accelerate when gas pedal is pushed. Vehicle does not die each time just does not react to gas pedal being applied and does not increase in speed. Only dashboard light that comes on is the loss of traction. Incident causes driver to have to pull off road, place vehicle in park, turn off and on. Then can drive again.

Filed Jun 7, 2023 · Acceleration · 23,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated and failed to accelerate over 30 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while driving. The contact stated that the electronic throttle control warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic throttle control had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Filed May 11, 2022 · Engine, Steering · MI

Vehicle engine stopped. Loss of steering. Yes Yes Engine light was on, hesitation on acceleration. Safety recall S89 has been done 5-3-2017 at 4,973 miles, and was told that there was a 2 year warranty on the repair?

Filed Apr 4, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · DE

The contact’s daughter owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the RPM fell to zero and the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would intermittently shut off while at a red light without warning. The vehicle would restart immediately after failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 8, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

My car hesitates and will jolt when trying to accelerate as well as stall when I am driving 50+ mph sometimes and completely shut off causing me to have to put it in park, turn it off and turn it back on again while I am in the middle of driving which increases the risk of an accident and I feel extremely unsafe

Filed Jun 14, 2021 · Engine · 101,858 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lagged and hesitated before accelerating. There was also rough idling while stopped at a stoplight with an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle stalled intermittently on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer four times prior for the failure and the catalytic converter was replaced as part of a recall, the coolant was flushed, and the engine was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V907000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was 101,858.

Filed May 16, 2020 · Acceleration · 40,000 miles · MA

My 2016 jeep patriot hesitates and jerks when I step on the gas pedal. Sometimes it will not go over 40 MPH. When I stop then let off the brake the vehicle jumps forward without stepping on the gas pedal. It runs sluggish. There are three lights on the dashboard lite up. The engine light, the lightning bolt and the traction light.

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · Acceleration · 65,700 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 jeep patriot. While the vehicle was idling at a stop sign, it failed to accelerate. After a few seconds, the vehicle surged forward and started to hesitate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,700.

Filed Jul 28, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 59,000 miles · UT

Both while driving, and while sitting . Vehicle experienced many electrical problems due to slow tipm failure. Over the course of six months. Countless hours and lots of money on diagnostics. And fixing individual components for the problems that were happening. Car was hesitating, bucking, and sporadic idle. Also radio and bluetooth connectability started to glitch. Certain lights would not work. All of these problems were handled individually for the components that normally makes them happen. Only temporarily fixing the problem. The final problem was the cooling fans staying on even when the car was shut off. Checked all involved circuitry. Everything was fine including relays. Finally settled on the tipm being bad. Jeep then tried to gouge me on the price. Ultimately wanting to charge about $1,600 for the diagnosis and fix. Including $700 just for the part. I located a new oem parts through a third party for $250. And a simple plug-and-play install, corrected all problems with vehicle. Dealership then tried to say the part needed to be programmed. So they could charge $200 for a service that is completely unnecessary. If you get the right tipm for the exact model and options. A soft reset can be done by simply using the ignition key. It is very poor business practice by chrysler corporation. And they are taking advantage of many unsuspecting customers. Often paying upwards of over $4,000 in one year for misdiagnosed and overpriced services.

Filed Jul 5, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 42,000 miles · PA

The car would hesitate when accelerating and slow down to a very low speed before bucking and thrusting until the speed would increase. The slowness was slow enough on a highway to almost cause an accident.

Filed Sep 25, 2018 · Engine, Steering · 20,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 jeep patriot. While driving approximately 20 MPH approaching a red light, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and the vehicle rolled forward. In an attempt to stop the vehicle from crashing, the contact depressed the brake pedal, placed the vehicle in park, and turned off the engine. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to restart. The vehicle was towed to allen samuels dodge chrysler jeep ram (201 west loop 340, waco, texas 76712, (254) 848-6200), but the dealer could not duplicate the failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 20,000.