No, I don't think you got ripped off unless the seller knew about the problems beforehand and disguised them or lied about them. Of course caveat emptor applies to everything, especially vehicles. It also sounds like you've worked your Patriot pretty hard. Many on here have complained that Patriot front ends are a weak point, though from my experience I don't agree. Then again, I live on a rough road, but most of my miles are on rural state highways that are reasonably maintained.

Unfortunately, rusty frames were a problem with some of the earlier Patriots. A common cause was the a/c draining onto the frame and people even in desert climates where road salt is never used had the problem! My dealer told me that some frames were made from lower grade materials. Jeep extended the warranty for original owners to 10 years.

I've had two Patriots -- 500,000 miles total, all in New England -- and haven't had the rust problem.

 

Fortunately the subframes can still be replaced, though I don't know the part number or anything like that. Your local dealer would, though.

 

I don't know if it's shady, so I thought I'd inquire if what I'm going through is normal, or if I got ripped off.

Can my rear subframe and most of my rear suspension components rust in three years if it is parked on the road and if I do a lot of off-roading in the summer and fall with it?

First, welcome to forum.

There's been several complaints about rust on the sub-frames. Though there are always exceptions, most of the complaints come from owners in Canada and US "salt states" which was where Jeep provided the 10 year extended warranty, now expired for all previously covered vehicles.

It's possible the car dealer was aware of the rust, but it hadn't yet progressed to the point of perforation so it wasn't raised as a concern in the inspection, though it probably should have been mentioned.

I don't know if you've checked into where the car originally came from or not, but used car dealers sometimes buy cars at auctions so it may have come from an area where road salts were more heavily used. It's happened with a few others here. Once the rust gets started it will keep going unless there's an intervention. I have a 2010 I bought new (non-salt state) that started showing rust, so I use fluid film inside and out (both front and rear) to keep it from getting worse.

In my case the A/C drains on top of the front sub-frame, but just rolls off on to the ground so it isn't causing any issues, and doesn't affect the rear sub-frame at all.

Is the Jeep Patriot not designed for what I was doing?

I don't know what kind of off road you're doing, but Patriots do have a light duty McPherson strut car-ish suspension so it won't hold up as well if it's used heavily on harsh terrain, water crossings, etc. like a solid axle, body on frame Wrangler would.

so I'm wondering... is this a lost case?

IMO it depends on what shape the rest of it is in, in particular expensive things like the transmission. If those things are in good condition, you like the car and it suits your needs, then fixing the rusty sub-frame and suspension parts might be worth it compared to the cost and risk you would take in buying another used vehicle.

Speaking of transmissions, IDK what year or transmission you have but if you have the CVT the fluid and both filters should be changed every 30-50k depending on driving conditions to prevent premature wear and damage.

 

No, I don't think you got ripped off unless the seller knew about the problems beforehand and disguised them or lied about them. Of course caveat emptor applies to everything, especially vehicles.
Many on here have complained that Patriot front ends are a weak point, though from my experience I don't agree.
Unfortunately, rusty frames were a problem with some of the earlier Patriots

That is true. It is possible that they didn't know. That's too bad that you have to know how to do mechanics yourself to purchase a used car. Had no idea about the rear suspension hidden behind the tire. I guess I'll have to be more careful and do the inspection next time myself and lift it and check all the suspension as well as the engine and body.
Haven't had any problems with the front-end whatsoever, everything has been the rear.
Patriot is 2008. Is that early?

It's possible the car dealer was aware of the rust, but it hadn't yet progressed to the point of perforation so it wasn't raised as a concern in the inspection, though it probably should have been mentioned.

That's what I'm thinking. I assume that all of the parts including rear suspension should be checked during a full inspection? I now know about rust treatment, but I was a novice at the time. Most car buyers don't know mechanics, and most likely wouldn't know to check behind the tires and look at all of the suspension.

I don't know if you've checked into where the car originally came from or not, but used car dealers sometimes buy cars at auctions so it may have come from an area where road salts were more heavily used.

I don't know what kind of off road you're doing, but Patriots do have a light duty McPherson strut car-ish suspension so it won't hold up as well if it's used heavily on harsh terrain, water crossings, etc. like a solid axle, body on frame Wrangler would.

Didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

IMO it depends on what shape the rest of it is in, in particular expensive things like the transmission. If those things are in good condition, you like the car and it suits your needs, then fixing the rusty sub-frame and suspension parts might be worth it compared to the cost and risk you would take in buying another used vehicle.

CVT was changed recently, another cost. That's really why I'm posting here, to figure out if that's possible.

If you notice on one of the pictures I uploaded how the bolts that the top of the rear subframe connects to (the bolts go through the body) after taking off the rear subframe, are rusty, and have no thread. I'd have to replace those, but there is very limited information, and I don't know if that's possible. In the videos, they just take the new rear subframe and connect it to the old bolts.

Also, I don't know what appears like axles coming from the bearing that connect to bushings. If you look at the pic, the bushings, are rusted, as what is the arm or axle (not sure what it's called connecting them). What is this called, so I can look up the cost of that as well?

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

If you notice on one of the pictures I uploaded how the bolts that the top of the rear subframe connects to (the bolts go through the body) after taking off the rear subframe, are rusty, and have no thread. I'd have to replace those, but there is very limited information, and I don't know if that's possible. In the videos, they just take the new rear subframe and connect it to the old bolts.

Also, I don't know what appears like axles coming from the bearing that connect to bushings. If you look at the pic, the bushings, are rusted, as what is the arm or axle (not sure what it's called connecting them). What is this called, so I can look up the cost of that as well?

This might help you figure out what's what along with part numbers and approximate costs.

2008 Jeep Patriot BASE 2.4L 4 Cyl CVT 4X4 Suspension, Rear.

Diagram of OEM Suspension, Rear. Contains 34 parts priced between $3.27 and $827.31. Fits 2008 Jeep Patriot BASE 2.4L 4 Cyl CVT 4X4.

www.factorychryslerparts.com

You can do a search on the different part numbers for pricing and alternate sources.

The part the axles fit into is the RDU or rear drive unit. You can find info on the mounts for it here:

Driveline for your 2008 Jeep Patriot BASE 2.4L 4 Cyl CVT 4X4 - Lowest price guaranteed

Save up to 40% on OEM Driveline for your Jeep 2008 Patriot BASE 2.4L 4 Cyl CVT 4X4. Find a lower price somewhere else? We will match it!

www.factorychryslerparts.com

 

You need to decide how much you like your Patriot and what its overall condition is. If cared for, Patriots can go the distance. My first Patriot was a 2008 and I took it to 275,000 miles. Although FWD, it was my snow car. I didn't do much off-road with it, but it has handled its share of rough roads and frost heaves. I sold it to a friend and he got another 40-50,000 out of it. He offered it back to me, and i admit I loved that car (named "Ignatz," my moniker and avatar on this site) but I don't really have the expertise and/or money to do what would have been required to keep the ol' boy going.

Wife and I liked that Patriot so much we bought a 2014 named "Bullwinkle" for Her to use as a daily driver -- She's got an 80 mile round-trip commute so getting 30+MPG is a big plus. I'd cheerfully trade my 2025 Compass for Her Patriot, but like me, She prefers the Patriot. "Bullwinkle" just passed 213,000 miles yesterday and shows no signs of stopping. Only major repair was the 5-spd at 195,000 miles. Did tie rods, too. Engine runs like a charm, struts are fine, and there's a few rust spots on the LR fender. Otherwise just typical maintenance.

When I bought my 2018 Compass I almost bought a left-over Patriot but they were throwing Compass rebates around like confetti so that's what I bought.

 

Personally, I would not put a lot of money into an 18 year old vehicle, especially a Patriot. Here goes my "constructive criticism". Sorry Patriot lovers, I'm being brutally honest but read my final assessment). The Patriot came out (2007) when Chrysler was being run into the ground by Cerebus. They survived bankruptcy and (according to my MOPAR mechanic friend) their takeover by Fiat (2011+/-) was a positive outcome initially, with improvements to quality control. The first generation Patriots were plagued by front suspension problems such as premature ball joint failure. Rusty sub-frames was another problem as well as a questionable JATCO CVT (unless you changed fluid often). Based on this, I would not invest a lot of money into an 18 year old, first generation Patriot.

Now, on the other hand, my 2014 (purchased 3/2013) with six speed Hyundai transmission has been the lowest cost-of-ownership vehicle I have owned in 5 decades. Annual Krown rustproofing has kept the rot at bay. The transmission is doing well with regular fluid changes. Only very minor repairs beyond normal maintenance (brakes, belts, etc.). At 12 years old, if it died on me today I would be satisfied with the service it provided me.

I would get the original poster's vehicle on a lift and determine if it is worthy of $$$$ investment. If it has the original tranny, it has to be near end of life. Good luck!!!

 

You come quite far, subframe and otherparts are not that expensive. I would fix it. Now its worthless, fixed its worth a few grand.
I drive a 2008 model myself though a diesel. Had to do the rear subframe 2 years ago. The 4 big bolts have thread in the body. You gotta work with heat to get them out. They sell rear subframes with full mounting kit.
I wish you good luck. Pats are ok to pretty good and easy to work on. Newer vehicles is another story.

 

On the bright side, doing all of these things has taught me some mechanics.

It's close to 300K, though, and it's taking a long time, and I have to do this on my Dad's friends property, since I don't live on a street where I can get away with this.

So, do you think if I removed the top bolts, and the replaced those rear drive units, it would be safe? That'd be another thousand (replacing rusted bolts, housing, those axle things connected to the bearing), rear subframe, I'd assume.

Most reports seem to indicate that the transmission or alternator fails around 350-400K. Is there anyway to test for this, or is it something that just happens? Research also seems to indicate that rusty rear subframe is common to these years of patriots, and were recalled if it still had a warranty.

Thanks

 

I figured out what this is. This is called a rear trailing arm and bushing. Both trailing arms and bushings are rusted, as well.

 

Thar rust is treatable. Just sand it down paint and protect it. I did both my Patriots by hand,used Hamarrite, then tectyl and after fluidfilm.
All parts are changable and basically you can drive it forever. Costing less than buying another old car which will get issues over time as well. Important is that you are willing and can do the work yourselves. Having it done is too expensive/ much more that its worth.