Jeep Patriot steering lock-up problems

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Car stalls after fill up. NUMEROUS online Jeep forums have noted this issue for years. There seems to be an issue with the “vapor canister”. Recall was apparently issued for 2011 model - but not older models. It is intermittent yet consistent problem over past few months. Please note that an Engine stall leaves steering wheel LOCKED and unable to maneuver car for a period until can restart. Can leave driver on a VERY DANGEROUS situation traveling at speed !

Filed Mar 4, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

After filling up with gas, the vehicle sputtered, stalled and the steering locked up.

Filed Sep 15, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

Every single time after putting gas, my car wont go further than 10 feet without turning off/stalling. Some times it wont turn back on and takes several tries to get it back up and running. I feel at risk for my life and those in the car with me because not only does it stall but my steering wheel locks everytime and I am unable to move or do anything. God forbid one day it stops and a car is headed in my direction I will be stuck in place. I have read online multiple people have had this issue but no one can seem to find a definitive solution. This started to happen around winter of 2019/spring 2020 and has been happening ever since. The date I recorded below is the most recent time it's occurred.

Filed Apr 12, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 59,000 miles · WA

When my car first started having problems it shut off when at a drive through. Then it started happening on the highway when I slow down to make a turn or stop at a traffic light with no warning light just shut off. Then it began shutting off just during normal short driving. I would be going 40-60 on the freeway and the steering wheel would lock up & my car would start shutting off. I was still able to engage the brake, safely move my car to the shoulder, put it on park, then restart it, then proceeded on my mission. This past week it started dying when I was in bumper to bumper traffic but this time only the tire yellow warning light came on & the steering wheel locked up & I tried to step on the brake pedal but the jeep continued to roll until it decided to stop on its own. Fortunately, I was able to move it to the shoulder of the freeway while the jeep was still moving. Once my jeep was safely on the shoulder I put it on park then turned the ignition off and then turned it back on & would keep going like normal. On monday, april 5, 2021, I was parked at work & when I tried to leave for home I turned my jeep on and it stalled immediately, so I turn the ignition off & back on but it started to shake and very choppy but it never actually started so I had it towed home because I strongly felt my personal "life safety" compromised and felt very insecure driving it on the freeway. These incidents happened several times throughout the last 1&1/2 years.

Filed Feb 1, 2021 · Steering · 72,000 miles · CT · crash

I was driving not far from my house doing between 20 and 25 MPH. The road is very windy and being a secondary road there are no guard rails. Both sides of the road are heavily populated with trees. Coming up to another curve in the road I applied my brakes the slow a little more to take the curve, as I started to turn the steering wheel I realized it would not turn, it was locked in place.now I'm applying my brakes harder, fighting to turn my steering wheel and stop, all to no avail. I hit a tree before I could steer my jeep. My "purchased new" 2016, in very good condition is now totaled, windows blowout, airbags deployed, and thank god I walked away with the help of ems, firefighters and police. I am a single working mother, who could have lost her life. I know there is no recall on my VIN number but there are numerous complains about other jeeps, (my year and other years) with the steering locking up or freezing. At the time of this writing the police report was not ready. I will obtain that report. I also think I should request the insurance company have the jeep checked out to see if they can tell what caused the accident. If this can be done also, I will obtain this report also and upload everything with pictures of my totaled jeep.thanking you advance for any help you can supply.

Filed Oct 8, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 112,000 miles · MI

When the gas tank is full the service lights come on engine stalls out about half a mile down the road. The steering wheel locks up when the engine goes out so you cant even coast over to the side of the road.

Filed Jul 21, 2020 · Fuel system · 188,000 miles · OR

Filled up gas tank and car stalled at stop light shortly after. Pulled into driveway after a 5-minute drive and steering wheel locked and car had stalled.

Filed Jul 13, 2020 · Fuel system · 82,500 miles · NY

After filling up with gas twice now it stalls right after I fill up the gas tank. The steering wheel locks and I've been stalled in an intersection that is not safe. I just purchased this used a few weeks ago and was not aware of the problem or I would not have purchased it. It's a fuel tank rollover valve and should have been recalled years ago. The entire fuel tank needs to be replaced which is an expensive job. Should be recalled so people can get it fixed by dealer at the dealer cost. This is not something that happens with normal wear and tear it is a manufactures defect. Why wasn't this recalled years ago.

Filed Jul 7, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 32,265 miles · PA

While driving in heavy traffic, the vehicle suddenly shut off, the steering locked and I was extremely luckily. Immediately after, absolutely nothing happened when turning the key. Also no horn, no lights ... Nothing. A similar thing happened 2 years ago and the jeep dealer stated it was a computer issue.

Filed Jun 23, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 116,000 miles · PA

The vehicle will continuously stall and buck while idling for about one minute after filling up with fuel. This has occasionally happened on the road while the vehicle is in motion immediately after leaving the gas station. In these cases, the driver is put in a very dangerous situations, as the steering wheel locks-up when the car stalls. The car is never "topped-off" but filled until the first pump click. After about a minute, the problem will resolve and the vehicle will run fine until the next fueling. The exact cause is unknown, but the evap system or fuel tank rollover-valve is suspected as the culprit. This is an extremely dangerous problem that many other jeep patriot owners experience and needs to be dealt with.