Hi, I'm looking into getting a new vehicle soon. My first choice so far is a patriot, I'm starting to love them more and more. I still need to test drive one, but I kinda want a 4x4 and jeeps seem like the affordable 4x4s, plus they still have plety of room to haul stuff around. I'm wondering how Reliable they are, from all your experiences andif you recomend patriots. How many miles do you have and what problems or just regular services did you need so far. I use to hear the older jeeps weren't that reliable. Are the new ones any better. I'm looking to get maybe a 2015 or 2016. Also is there different ride heights from ground between the different classes? (Sport, sport se, latitude, etc.) What's the Maine difereence you need, or packages you need to want to go a little off roading, or to start.? Thank you for your time.
how Reliable Is Your patriot?
calicojack
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Hi, I'm looking into getting a new vehicle soon. My first choice so far is a patriot, I'm starting to love them more and more. I still need to test drive one, but I kinda want a 4x4 and jeeps seem like the affordable 4x4s, plus they still have plety of room to haul stuff around. I'm wondering how Reliable they are, from all your experiences andif you recomend patriots. How many miles do you have and what problems or just regular services did you need so far. I use to hear the older jeeps weren't that reliable. Are the new ones any better. I'm looking to get maybe a 2015 or 2016. Also is there different ride heights from ground between the different classes? (Sport, sport se, latitude, etc.) What's the Maine difereence you need, or packages you need to want to go a little off roading, or to start.? Thank you for your time.
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4,653 Posts
I have a 2007 with 194k miles
have had my share of problems, CPU/TB/cat converter/suspension
transmission replaced at 155k miles
overall not bad, i have not been easy on the car, dirt roads/beach driving, etc..
even with its problems i recently spent $2400 on body work,(most of the body damage was my own doing) and am keeping the car as second car,
not many cars worth spending $2400 on bodywork at 194k miles pat to me is worth it,
have had my share of problems, CPU/TB/cat converter/suspension
transmission replaced at 155k miles
overall not bad, i have not been easy on the car, dirt roads/beach driving, etc..
even with its problems i recently spent $2400 on body work,(most of the body damage was my own doing) and am keeping the car as second car,
not many cars worth spending $2400 on bodywork at 194k miles pat to me is worth it,
The front ends tend to need replacement every 40-50,000 miles (control arms, tie-rods, etc...), but the after market parts are must better than stock. Spring for the under coating to help keep the subframe from rusting.
That may sound like a negative-nancy talking, but I am about 60,000 (mostly) happy miles into my patriot ownership. I bought mine used. It has been a great rig. The BEST winter vehicle I have ever driven. I keep mine mostly on pavement. I demand to own a stick shift, so I couldn't get anything trail rated OR a low gear in the transmission (BOO!!!), but if you don't mind the CV tranny, Trail rated is the way to go.
That may sound like a negative-nancy talking, but I am about 60,000 (mostly) happy miles into my patriot ownership. I bought mine used. It has been a great rig. The BEST winter vehicle I have ever driven. I keep mine mostly on pavement. I demand to own a stick shift, so I couldn't get anything trail rated OR a low gear in the transmission (BOO!!!), but if you don't mind the CV tranny, Trail rated is the way to go.
You seem to have 2 threads going on the same topic. I just posted this in your other thread:
My Patriot has 214,000 miles so I'm one of the senior Patriot drivers -- well, no I'm not a senior, my Patriot is . . . though I am a little gray around the fringes. So far its been great on repairs: very few and what there were have been modest and consistent with the mileage.
I've had two major repairs:
1) My CVT transmission was replaced (at 110,000 miles) under warranty so it didn't cost me a dime. I've read that statistically the CVT has a better repair record than conventional automatics.
2) At 195,000 I had a wiring problem that meant I had to have the engine harness replaced. That was about $1200.
Considering that many miles, that is an admirable repair record. I've had some front-end work, but I still have a lot of original parts up there too. I'm still on the original shocks, struts and springs, and living in New England I travel on roads with lots of frost heaves and pot holes, so I think the suspension is rock solid.
I've had no engine work, my original brakes lasted to about 100,000 and at 214,000 I'm still on my first set of replacements, so they have outlasted the originals. (I've never gotten more than 70,000 out of brakes prior to this). No rust, no leaks, original exhaust.
The important thing for me is its ability to handle snow. My town doesn't plow between 11PM and 5AM and I leave for work at 4AM -- my Patriot is FWD and I've always gotten through, and a few times I was approaching its limits. With good snow tires 6-7" of snow is doable, and I live in hilly terrain, but not really mountainous. I've had at least one off-road trip that was more than I should have attempted, but my Patriot got me through safe and sound. I posted my adventure in the 2wd forum.
While I've not had the problems, some Patriots go through ball joints rather quickly and some Patriots leak when it rains, particularly those with sunroofs. Maybe Jeep has addressed this in the newer models.
Yes there are different ride heights depending on the model, but we're only talking an inch or two. We have 2 Patriots and our 2014 is 1" taller than the 2008.
Have they improved over the years? As said, mine is a 2008 and Wifey's is a 2014. Her 2014 is nicer inside -- the interior was a complaint about the early years.
In conclusion, not only would I recommend the Patriot, I put my money where my mouth is and bought another (2014) for my wife. Oh yeah, the Patriot's strong suit is fuel economy. My 2008 has the 2.4 CVT and is never below 26mpg and on a trip can put out 30+mpg. Wifey's 2014 is a 2.0 with a 5-spd and is consistently higher. Both are FWD, so with AWD you will likely be lower. Her's just got a new set of plugs and the last three fill-ups averaged 34mpg (almost all highway). You may find the 2.0 needs its lower gears if you live in the mountains, but on the level it zips right along.
My Patriot has 214,000 miles so I'm one of the senior Patriot drivers -- well, no I'm not a senior, my Patriot is . . . though I am a little gray around the fringes. So far its been great on repairs: very few and what there were have been modest and consistent with the mileage.
I've had two major repairs:
1) My CVT transmission was replaced (at 110,000 miles) under warranty so it didn't cost me a dime. I've read that statistically the CVT has a better repair record than conventional automatics.
2) At 195,000 I had a wiring problem that meant I had to have the engine harness replaced. That was about $1200.
Considering that many miles, that is an admirable repair record. I've had some front-end work, but I still have a lot of original parts up there too. I'm still on the original shocks, struts and springs, and living in New England I travel on roads with lots of frost heaves and pot holes, so I think the suspension is rock solid.
I've had no engine work, my original brakes lasted to about 100,000 and at 214,000 I'm still on my first set of replacements, so they have outlasted the originals. (I've never gotten more than 70,000 out of brakes prior to this). No rust, no leaks, original exhaust.
The important thing for me is its ability to handle snow. My town doesn't plow between 11PM and 5AM and I leave for work at 4AM -- my Patriot is FWD and I've always gotten through, and a few times I was approaching its limits. With good snow tires 6-7" of snow is doable, and I live in hilly terrain, but not really mountainous. I've had at least one off-road trip that was more than I should have attempted, but my Patriot got me through safe and sound. I posted my adventure in the 2wd forum.
While I've not had the problems, some Patriots go through ball joints rather quickly and some Patriots leak when it rains, particularly those with sunroofs. Maybe Jeep has addressed this in the newer models.
Yes there are different ride heights depending on the model, but we're only talking an inch or two. We have 2 Patriots and our 2014 is 1" taller than the 2008.
Have they improved over the years? As said, mine is a 2008 and Wifey's is a 2014. Her 2014 is nicer inside -- the interior was a complaint about the early years.
In conclusion, not only would I recommend the Patriot, I put my money where my mouth is and bought another (2014) for my wife. Oh yeah, the Patriot's strong suit is fuel economy. My 2008 has the 2.4 CVT and is never below 26mpg and on a trip can put out 30+mpg. Wifey's 2014 is a 2.0 with a 5-spd and is consistently higher. Both are FWD, so with AWD you will likely be lower. Her's just got a new set of plugs and the last three fill-ups averaged 34mpg (almost all highway). You may find the 2.0 needs its lower gears if you live in the mountains, but on the level it zips right along.
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Thank you so much, and yes I posted this in a couple threads, I wanted to be sure to get some replies lol.
I agree is a song suit for mpg, especially with their 4x4s. And they are so affordable compared to other 4x4s. And no big issue till about 100k miles sounds good and reliable enough for me. Thank you so much for taking your time for giving me all that info.
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1,843 Posts
My last patriot was in 3 accidents and it still kept driving at 60k miles my current one has been in no accidents and is at 60k miles. Never had to replace anything in them besides routine maintenance.
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3,366 Posts
My '08 Limited has been very reliable. Only time in jeep shop was to change oil, and 120K transmission service. Tire shop replaced a few link-items, and of course, all struts. At 100K, replaced drive belt and idlers, coolant flush and replace. Battery lasted 6 years. Still on original brakes at 120K+. Had some minor interior work on front seat bottoms--replaced cracking vinyl and one leather insert--mainly due to 50+# dog riding in seat with no protection--cost to repair--less than $200.
As I've moved to WA, I will be replacing my '08 with either a '16 or '17 that will have 4 wheel drive, as I plan to play in the mountains and snow. If you're in the SE Seattle area, I'd make you a good deal on a well-experienced and maintained unit....
As I've moved to WA, I will be replacing my '08 with either a '16 or '17 that will have 4 wheel drive, as I plan to play in the mountains and snow. If you're in the SE Seattle area, I'd make you a good deal on a well-experienced and maintained unit....
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27 Posts
Thank you guys so much. I'm glad I joined the forum , I definitely got enough feed back.
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna try and get a patriot next.
It won't be till begining of 2017, either gonna get a new , or maybe a used 2015/2016.
If that times comes maybe I'll post it back on this post and let you all know how it goes.
You guys and this forum is awesome.
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna try and get a patriot next.
It won't be till begining of 2017, either gonna get a new , or maybe a used 2015/2016.
If that times comes maybe I'll post it back on this post and let you all know how it goes.
You guys and this forum is awesome.
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27 Posts
Thanks for over but I'll problem get new or a used 2015/16, when I'm ready to buy in begging of 2017.
And from a
Active sailor to a army vet, thank you for your service. I don't know if that photo is saying you are the vet or the person in the plane is, or both.
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5,300 Posts
Ol' jack.allwardt is our resident Vietnam vet and Stearman expert. Navy, eh? Wouldn't happen to have served on Old Ironsides before?
Original owner of a '07 at 134,000. I put on front pads around 130K because originals were wearing down. I had the serpentine belt
changed at 120K to keep Lifetime Warranty in effect. Nothing has broken to far. I would like to get a new 2.4/CVT which is what I have
now, but that is no longer available in FWD. My '08 Grand Cherokee had 156K when it blew a head gasket, so I plan to see if I can
beat that record. My first Jeep was a 1948 Willys Overland Station Wagon. Now there was a vehicle you could fix with pliers and a
screwdriver. Girls loved to ride around in that.
changed at 120K to keep Lifetime Warranty in effect. Nothing has broken to far. I would like to get a new 2.4/CVT which is what I have
now, but that is no longer available in FWD. My '08 Grand Cherokee had 156K when it blew a head gasket, so I plan to see if I can
beat that record. My first Jeep was a 1948 Willys Overland Station Wagon. Now there was a vehicle you could fix with pliers and a
screwdriver. Girls loved to ride around in that.
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3,366 Posts
Well, the guy in photo is a Vietnam vet and active American Legionnaire. The Boeing model 75, aka "Stearman" also is a vet having served as a trainer at Minter Field just north of Bakersfield, CA from '42 to '45 when she was surplused. I bought the original paperwork and the hull/fuselage which had set in a barn for 30 years and had been severely cannibalized and built this airplane out of many spare parts and those that I manufactured myself. A delightful hobby, it was!
And sir, to you and to all the other vets on this forum, "THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE11"
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727 Posts
what year is yours?
i dont know if its true, maybe someone knows for sure ? that in 2011 the front suspension issues were worked out?
Bought mine in feb 15. So far mine has been nicely
reliable and only real issues ive had is two battery replacements
agreed this forum is awesome
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62 Posts
"how Reliable Is Your patriot?" .....Well all I can tell you is at around 9,000 miles so far it performs exactly as it should in ever aspect that it was designed for.....I waited to get the 6At coupled with the 4x4 2.4L and it has performed up to and over my expectations of a smaller SUV 4x4.....This is my first 4x4(besides my ATV) and it is such a blast to tool around in these IL winters.....I absolutely love this vehicle!
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194K! This is the kind of info I like to see.
I have an '08 (bought in '07) with about 170k miles.
Reliability has been fine and nothing too expensive has cropped up. Between 100,000 to 150,000 miles it needed two new wheel bearings and lower control arms. At around 130,000 miles I had to replace the Flow Control Valve Actuator. Just recently, the oil pan started leaking (very slowly, maybe a drop a day) and it was resealed under the Lifetime Warranty. It's also thrown a catalytic converter code twice (separated by about a year) that I've reset and ignored.
So basically, little stuff that's not entirely unusual for an almost ten year old vehicle with well over 100,000 miles. I really can't complain too much. Outside of that I've just followed the book for maintenance -- oil every 5,000 miles, differentials every 60,000, and the CVT at around 110,000.
Reliability has been fine and nothing too expensive has cropped up. Between 100,000 to 150,000 miles it needed two new wheel bearings and lower control arms. At around 130,000 miles I had to replace the Flow Control Valve Actuator. Just recently, the oil pan started leaking (very slowly, maybe a drop a day) and it was resealed under the Lifetime Warranty. It's also thrown a catalytic converter code twice (separated by about a year) that I've reset and ignored.
So basically, little stuff that's not entirely unusual for an almost ten year old vehicle with well over 100,000 miles. I really can't complain too much. Outside of that I've just followed the book for maintenance -- oil every 5,000 miles, differentials every 60,000, and the CVT at around 110,000.
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403 Posts
Mine has been trouble free in the first (almost) 30,000 miles.
Just oil changes, and they are super easy !
Just oil changes, and they are super easy !
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