Check a VIN

Jeep Patriot hesitation problems

55 of the 2,793 owner complaints about the Jeep Patriot describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2016 model year.

owner complaints
55
worst model year
2016
typical repair cost reported
$4,000
typical mileage
57,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

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 Jul 29, 2025 · IL

Jeep cvr transmission started bucking and hesitating when driving. Having problems shifting when accelerating. Worried it would quit while driving. Had it serviced and no codes came up for transmission. Still has hesitation when driving. Mechanic said it was transmission. No warning lights came up on dash.

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 Aug 1, 2023 · Fuel system · NY

warning lights on the instrument cluster, hesitation loss of power while traveling at highway speed

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 Mar 2, 2023 · Fuel system · MD

When filling the tank with gas and then driving the vehicle, the vehicle either stalls, bucks really bad, or hesitates when accelerating. There is a heavy smell of gas. This unsafe condition has been traced to a faulty fuel tank valve that requires the entire fuel tank to be replaced ($1,000- $1,800). Others have experienced fuel being spewed out suddenly when refueling very slowly due to this same faulty valve. Any fuel system issue puts the vehicle at risk of fire, which is risks my life and my family's life.

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 17, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · NV

***vehcile was purchased january 2021. Later found out the 2015 jeep patriot I purchased had 5 previous owners...making me the 6th owner.*** sept 2021 I was driving during rush hour on busy las vegas city street when out of nowhere and no warning my 2015 jeep patriot lost power...3 dashboard lights came on (lightning bolt/check engine light/traction control). I was able to coast into a hotel parking lot after crossing 3 lanes of traffic. Once parked, I shut the vehicle off, waited about 10-15 seconds tried restarting it again and to no avail the problem persisted. Had the car towed to mechanic shop where they determined/diagnosised the problem to be the throttle body and it needed to be replaced. Car was no longer under warranty so I had to come out of pocket almost $1000. All this during the covid 19 pandemic. When I picked up the vehicle from the mechanic they informed me the traction control light is still on because my rack/pinion was damaged so my alignment is out of whack. They allowed me to drive off with my vehicle even when the alignment being screwed up. When driving my vehicle home, I was so scared because it felt like my vehicle wanted to go in every direction at the same time. The next day I took my vehicle to big o tires to have them test the alignment. After they re-aligned the jeep it ran perfect. But I spoke to soon...just after 1 week, im now starting to experience more issues...car accelerating on its own, hesitation when trying to take off from red light, back firing from either the tail pipe or under the hood (almost seems like the engine is being flooded out with to much gas), my gas mileage has gotten worse. This vehicle should be recalled!!!

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

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported October 9, 2008 · 712 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling 712 my 2009 sebring, dodge caliber, avenger, journey, jeep patriot, and compass vehicles. A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break.
Risk
This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the PCM free of charge. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 08V528000 · Recall details

Questions about the Jeep Patriot hesitation

Which Jeep Patriot years have hesitation when accelerating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2016 (12 complaints), 2014 (9 complaints) and 2015 (9 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix hesitation when accelerating on the Jeep Patriot?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Jeep Patriot?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history