Jeep Patriot ball joint problems

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Suspension, Transmission · IN

Certified dealership service department omitted structural safety complaints from official service invoices, left vital diagnostic findings and performance metrics off paperwork tracking paths, cleared a compromised front suspension layout as safe, and actively instructed a vehicle operator to execute a driving pattern that induces sudden power loss on public roadway infrastructure. TIMELINE SUMMARY OF DEALERSHIP SERVICE (see uploaded PDF for details): March 26, 2026: Diagnostic service and fees for front right tire and new spark plugs. Left bay with immediate new serious issue. March 30, 2026: Follow up on new issue. No alerts. Given clearance. Zero charge invoice. May 19, 2026: Follow up AGAIN on same issue. Scheduled eventually after multiple tries to reach Supervisor. RPM alert reading. Technician gave negligent advice causing further damage to my vehicle and putting me in danger. The technician noted an unprecedented 3,000 to 4,000 RPM calculation anomaly on his computer screen yet dismissed the hazard by blaming my driving habits as "too gentle." He instructed me to find a ramp or an open stretch of road to "rev up" the acceleration and seek out cleaner fuel brands. Incomplete records. Zero charge invoice. I followed the advice and caused further damage and put myself and others at risk on the roads. June 22, 2026: Second opinion. Failing transmission and front arm controls damage. Reputable business reported: "Found front control arm bushings damaged and inop. Transmission fluid sample is dark and has a clutch odor. Test drove monitoring misfire and transmission: misfire 0. Trans slip during test drive even shows abnormal transmission slip. Recommend replacement of transmission and torque converter assembly." June 26, 2026: called management for full accountability. I request full repairs immediately. This situation created serious interruptions to my schedule and a threat to my personal safety. July 14, 2026: Certified letters to dealership.

Filed Mar 9, 2023 · Body, Steering · MN

Vehicle is known to have an issue with rusting subframe/crossmembers . Warranty on this vehicle was extended. (Service Bulletin 23-007-17, X69 Warranty Extension) However upon multiple dealer visits and requesting inspection was not notified that issue was happening. Approximately 1.5 years after warranty extension had expired noticeable issues started occurring including noises that got worse and prompted a visit to dealer. Had to fight tooth and nail to get dealership or company to work with me on repairs on low mileage (121K) vehicle and even then they missed 1/2 the problem and told me not to come back to the shop. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - See beginning - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Front crossmember completely rotted out and separated, holding on by only control arm - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes, know issues but wording of service bulletin and dealership neglect result in customer not being informed or postponement of repair until too late - Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Dealership - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No warning other than single notification of warranty extension, asked for vehicle inspection 7 months prior to warranty expiration and given an all good -

Filed May 6, 2022 · Suspension · IL

I noticed a vibration and it felt like the vehicle was shaking at times. This problem increased at higher speeds. I took it to a dealer for inspection and found out the control arms, tie rods, and ball joints were in critical condition and needed to be replaced. This vehicle has less than 50,000 miles on it.

Filed Dec 4, 2021 · Suspension · NJ

Rear suspension lower control arm disconnected from the rear crossmember due to crossmember rust. The manufacturer isn't honoring the x69 front and rear crossmember rust out extended warranty because the vehicle is a few weeks past 10 years, but the vehicle was at the dealer a year before the warranty ran out and the rear crossmember was apparently not inspected, only the front suspension was looked at according to the Multi Point inspection recommendations. Consumer stated dealers diagnosis blames a rusty lower control arm for the failure, which isn't true.

Filed Sep 14, 2021 · Suspension, Wheels · NY

FAULTY CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINTS ( ALL IN ONE PART TOGETHER FOR BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM) first time I took it in was jan 2021 the two months later now this is the 3RD time now the car dealership is stating the faulty part ( control arm/ ball join) mechanic stated both times that that parts were faulty. Causing damage to tires that are not safe and I have to pay out of pocket for new tires when the parts are faulty which the parts were covered under my warranty but tire were not... so I believe since the parts that are faulty that caused damaged I should not be liable for buying the new tires did to faulty parts causing the damage.

Filed Sep 2, 2021 · Body, Suspension · 120,000 miles · WI

The contact's daughter-in-law owns a 2009 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that while he was replacing the brakes and control arms on the vehicle, he noticed that both the front and rear sub frame of the vehicle were severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear and front subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · IL

The front subframe rusted through on the left hand side which in turn caused the lower control arm to shift outward preventing full steering capabilities. There was a warranty extension dated back from 2017, brought into service on December of 2019, to the Chrysler dealership where it was purchased for lights on the cluster and a steering vibration and no one mentioned the subframe issue that was persisting on this model year. Was told rather that it needed a new bearing and a speed sensor. Replaced both and the issue wasn’t fixed. I am told now (July 2021) that this extension expired in March of this same year. Was told by both the dealer and the customer service hotline that there is absolutely nothing they can do. They also mentioned that there should have been a letter sent out for this warranty extension but nothing was ever received. Been at the same address since well before the purchase date of this vehicle.

Filed Jun 3, 2021 · Body · PA

Bought vehicle from Ray Price dealer 2 years ago with 81k miles Vehicle passed inspection with them(was already inspected upon purchase) was clearly told by salesman that vehicle didn't need to have warranty. Should raised a red flag being I purchase it cash for 10k. Began to notice a clunk sound..took it to my mechanic figuring it was just brakes and or rotors. He called me immediately and said the entire frame was rusted out. And good thing I made it to him and further driving I would have been in a severe accident. He told me to take it to the autobody shop. Upon inspection they found the entire subframe completely corroded. $2000 in repairs( not covered under any warranty) 3 weeks without car. Subframe and control arms had to be replaced

Filed May 13, 2021 · Engine · 81,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2011 jeep patriot. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the front axle and the control arm needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. The VIN was unavailable. The consumer provided photos.

Filed Feb 4, 2021 · Body, Suspension · 140,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 jeep patriot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact saw that a piece of the engine cradle was missing due to corrosion on the driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the corrosion had spread to the driver's side control arm. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was undriveable and remained unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available.