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life expectancy of a jeep patriot

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sandhuFateh

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey guys, I got my Patriot 2016 last years and currently got about 18000 miles on it, I am keeping up with the oil change, tire rotation and other stuff, but I just want to know that what should I be aware of in the future. What major repairs should I expect? How many miles should I expect from my Jeep.

Side Note: I am currently a full time student, so I want to get 150K out of my jeep.
 

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#3 ·
The Patriots have proven to be pretty reliable (aside form a few common issues with the early models, like any new car there were a few "bugs" to work out in the first couple years), as long as you keep up with the maintenance you should be fine, like any vehicle there are "wear parts" (suspension bushings/ball joints/ tie-rod ends, wheel bearings, hoses, belts, etc.) that will eventually need replaced when you get up in miles (usually over 100k mi). There are quite a few Patriots with over 150k mi on them and a few with over 200k mi.
 
#4 ·
Welcome to the forum! If you do your maintenance, it will last forever. Mine is over 250,000 and still running fine. Had a wiring problem at 190,000 but put out $1K for a new engine harness and its been fine ever since.

As for weak points, early Patriots were notorious for leaky sunroofs and fragile front-ends. I've had neither problem. Later years seem to be pretty solid all around.

I don't know what you have for a transmission, but if you have the CVT I have 2 points of advice:
1. Change the fluid every 50,000, not 100,000 as the manual says. Mine failed early, but was covered under warranty so I have no quarrels.
2. If you drive in a mountainous area, or hot climate, or if you tow at all, get the transmission cooler. Its not expensive and will significantly extend its life.

Finally, realize that when you buy a used vehicle, the last owner probably got rid of it for a reason. Don't be discouraged if you encounter an early repair. Once you're past that you'll probably have a very reliable vehicle. Hope you love your Patriot as much as I love mine!
 
#6 · (Edited)
Good advice above about the fluid changes. I did my 6 speed tranny fluid change about a month ago, just past 50K miles. I haven't decided on the 10 year/150K coolant yet, but thinking I will just do a radiator drain and fill at about 75K/ 6 years+/-. These "new" coolants are keeping these systems nearly spotless compared to the very old high silicate conventional green coolants of yesteryear. OEM spark plugs are only 30K type. A VERY easy DIY project.

Besides mechanical maintenance, do a full "detailing" at least 2 times a year. I'm a minimalist, so spring and fall is about all I care to do. "Clean" the paint and apply a good sealant. Treat all the rubber and plastic parts with a good product. I like "303" because it contains no petroleum distillates, but there is lots of good stuff out there. No need to go overboard, but using wrong techniques (towel/brush auto car washes, bad towels, etc.) can micro scratch your paint. Keep your engine compartment clean (not spotless....don't be a slave to your car). Park away from the grocery store/mall morons that open their car doors into your new vehicle.....o.k., maybe a bit OCD, but one of my pet peeves. Hate to see a row of dings down the side of a nice vehicle. Invest in Rugged Ridge (cheaper) or WeatherTec floor liners - God's gift from heaven, especially with the "well-like" depressed floor of the Pat. You guys should each send me $10 each for this gem of advice,LOL.

A "good" fuel cleaner additive a few times a year might help, especially if you don't use top tier gas. Good ones contain PEA and examples are Techron and Gumout. No need to go wild on "mechanic in a can" additives.

There's some threads here about "painting" a thin layer of antiseize, grease, or fluid film on areas like the front hubs, rotor hats, etc. to keep (eliminate) the rust down.
Yuck!!!
Image


4.5 years with my Pat and I am very satisfied with the "Bang for the buck" factor. Plus, I enjoy the classic look and NOT being a sheeple driving one of those jelly bean SUV's!
 
#7 ·
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#8 ·
Treegrower said:
Good advice above about the fluid changes. I did my 6 speed tranny fluid change about a month ago, just past 50K miles. I haven't decided on the 10 year/150K coolant yet, but thinking I will just do a radiator drain and fill at about 75K/ 6 years+/-. These "new" coolants are keeping these systems nearly spotless compared to the very old high silicate conventional green coolants of yesteryear. OEM spark plugs are only 30K type. A VERY easy DIY project.

Besides mechanical maintenance, do a full "detailing" at least 2 times a year. I'm a minimalist, so spring and fall is about all I care to do. "Clean" the paint and apply a good sealant. Treat all the rubber and plastic parts with a good product. I like "303" because it contains no petroleum distillates, but there is lots of good stuff out there. No need to go overboard, but using wrong techniques (towel/brush auto car washes, bad towels, etc.) can micro scratch your paint. Keep your engine compartment clean (not spotless....don't be a slave to your car). Park away from the grocery store/mall morons that open their car doors into your new vehicle.....o.k., maybe a bit OCD, but one of my pet peeves. Hate to see a row of dings down the side of a nice vehicle. Invest in Rugged Ridge (cheaper) or WeatherTec floor liners - God's gift from heaven, especially with the "well-like" depressed floor of the Pat. You guys should each send me $10 each for this gem of advice,LOL.

A "good" fuel cleaner additive a few times a year might help, especially if you don't use top tier gas. Good ones contain PEA and examples are Techron and Gumout. No need to go wild on "mechanic in a can" additives.

There's some threads here about "painting" a thin layer of antiseize, grease, or fluid film on areas like the front hubs, rotor hats, etc. to keep (eliminate) the rust down.
Yuck!!!
Image


4.5 years with my Pat and I am very satisfied with the "Bang for the buck" factor. Plus, I enjoy the classic look and NOT being a sheeple driving one of those jelly bean SUV's!
Click to expand...

You should me $10 for reading nonsense, I already knew all this.... 2 min of my life I'm never getting back... lol [emoji23]



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#10 ·
You can send me $20 (or jelly beans) :)
 
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#14 ·
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#15 ·
I hate to be the pain in the butt here... but I'd have to say it's been the worst car (in terms of reliability) that I've ever owned. It's a 2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 5-Speed that we bought in 2009. I've owned the car since ~18,000 miles. It was great for the first couple of years. It now has just shy of 80k miles and it's totally falling apart.


Problems:

Sunroof leaks like crazy. I've cleaned the drain tubes, they're not even dirty. I never park under trees, so I don't know why. It's leaked so bad that I get a deluge from the front dome light when we start driving after a rain storm. The rear part of the roof near the channels are starting to rust, presumably because there's so much water that passes back there from the drain tubes.

Wiring Issues: Pretty much anything on the left side is bad. I've inspected all the terminals... everything is bad. The ABS and TRAK lights are on. The left turn-signal doesn't work. Even the fuel gauge doesn't work.

Half the lights in the factory radio have failed.

Rear trunk has water leak into it from time to time... it pools occasionally in the spare tire well.


Aside from trim pieces breaking off around the seats, just the usual maintenance stuff, tires, brakes, batteries, shocks.


I'm just not happy with it. It could be a great little car, it's fun to drive, and (used to) get good gas mileage. But it's been a total disaster. I still don't know how to fix all the wiring issues... :(
 
#16 · (Edited)
Todd82TA said:
I hate to be the pain in the butt here... but I'd have to say it's been the worst car (in terms of reliability) that I've ever owned. It's a 2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 5-Speed that we bought in 2009. I've owned the car since ~18,000 miles. It was great for the first couple of years. It now has just shy of 80k miles and it's totally falling apart.(
Click to expand...
Yea.....I, too, hate to add to the butt pain, especially because some members have managed to get good service out of an early Patriot. Butt......I don't think I would have purchased a Chrysler product during the "dark years" of bankruptcy. Chrysler was gutted by Daimler, and then even more by Cerberus. The economic downturn of 2007-2009 added to the fire.

My MOPAR dealer mechanic friend noted that there were huge improvements just after FCA took over. But now, it seems they are once again looking to sell the company. Many think that Chrysler should be allowed to disappear. If lucky, the Jeep and Ram badges will continue on under someone else.

FYI, I had 3 short wheelbase Caravans in the 25 years prior to my Patriot that were all very good regarding cost of ownership. My 2014 has been good so far.

End of mild rant.
 
#17 ·
Treegrower said:
Yea.....I, too, hate to add to the butt pain, especially because some members have managed to get good service out of an early Patriot. Butt......I don't think I would have purchased a Chrysler product during the "dark years" of bankruptcy. Chrysler was gutted by Daimler, and then even more by Cerberus. The economic downturn of 2007-2009 added to the fire.

My MOPAR dealer mechanic friend noted that there were huge improvements just after FCA took over. But now, it seems they are once again looking to sell the company. Many think that Chrysler should be allowed to disappear. If lucky, the Jeep and Ram badges will continue on under someone else.

FYI, I had 3 short wheelbase Caravans in the 25 years prior to my Patriot that were all very good regarding cost of ownership. My 2014 has been good so far.

End of mild rant.
Click to expand...
I was one of those who bought my Patriot during those "dark" years, and overall its great. I was afraid of buying an orphan, but the lifetime warranty and the government backing it, convinced me to take the risk. I also had a strong relationship with that dealer so I was reluctant to go elsewhere.

I tend to think that when a company is in trouble the employees do their best work, realizing that they are in a fight for survival.
 
#18 ·
Also thinking, if Fiat sells Jeep, what do they have left in the US market? Chrysler/Dodge sales are struggling -- they can't float a company on mini-vans -- and Fiat sales are a knee-slapper. Seen any on the road near you?
 
#20 · (Edited)
Ignatz said:
and Fiat sales are a knee-slapper. Seen any on the road near you?
Click to expand...
I see them but being in Los Angeles there are a fair number of sub compact and "smart" cars on the road.

Anyway.. I have a 2008 with 160k on it and no major problems.. California weather is easy on the cars so I hope to get at least another 50k out of this one.
 
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