Overall it is average-above average except after about 30K miles with 07's-08's a number of us had to replace the front lower control arms for having "excessive play" from early wear. However this may have been fixed on newer Patriots, and for what is charged by dealerships for control arms, about $300 installed, it would be an excuse to get an improved aftermarket one for less $$ But there are very few major issues.

 

We have an 09 Northern Ed. 4x4 replaced tie rods early under warranty aside from the general scheduled maintenance that was it no problems. We've never experience water leaks (no sunroof don't know if this matters), living in Northwestern-Ontario where the temps can get down to -35C in the winter our Jeep starts without a hiccup and that includes not plugging it in at nite. Drives great in the winter. My thoughts...

 

I have an 2011 now but did own a 2008 which I put over 36000 miles on with only oil changes, never had any warranty work done or needed. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw when it comes to vehicle issues. My Escape was a POS but some people have good luck with them. When it came time to get another vehicle I didn't hesitate on purchasing another Patriot and would reccomend one to anyone looking for a really nice all around vehicle thats also very flexible.

 

i had to get 2 shocks fitted and the sensor for the oil change in first 1000 miles
the gater round gear lever split this wasnt wear and tear it was a fault part from new.
still has an intermittant splutter when you lift your foot of accelerator and then start to accelerate again.
but apart from the teething problems my 2009 has now done 28000 with no other problems

 

Ignatz has 68,000 and no repairs at all. Bought it new.

 

2009 Patriot Ltd with 30000 miles. Changed front passenger side power window regulator, rear tonneau cover handle broken off. Other than these 2 items, no issues at all. I would say it has very good reliability. Taking it in for 30000 miles service tomorrow.

 

Bought my '08 at 20,000 mls, now at 52,000 mls. Dealer serviced regularly with no issues at all.

 

I have an '11 with almost 6k miles now in 3 months and no problems yet.

 

My 09 has 25488 miles at the moemnt and has not had any issues other than a mysterious creaking sound from the left front end in rainy/cool weather, and the hood was set too low, causing some scratches in the paint along the body where it meets the edge of the hood. Other than that, it's been trouble-free, and goes through snow and ice like a wolf.

 

Used MK review

Here's a good review of an used Compass. It's a balanced review of the good and bad. The writer must have cribbed from our forum alerting readers for leaks, front end control arms, and CVT. Still a good buy over-all.

http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/life/article/896692--bank-on-family-ready-versatilityn

 

I've got 42000 miles on my '09. Biggest issue was a leaking sunroof (fixed with TSB). Only other thing is that I think I need to replace the sway bar bushings as they creak a lot when I go off-road or over some speed bumps. Other than the sunroof, only regular maintenance has been performed.

 

Hey Link3721! Not sure if this is related, but there was a service bulletin for "lower control arm crossmember bolts" and my dealer did it n/c under warranty. That wasn't a recall, so I didn't get notice. Just when I brought it in for an oil change they volunteered to do it. Wouldn't hurt to ask if this has been done to your Pat.

 

Despite all the problems people have mentioned here and how some have ragged the Patriot as a cheap POS, it still beats Liberty and Wrangler in every reliability rating I've seen so far.

 

I like my patriot but do not LOVE it. Its a 2007 and has had many many small problems. It does seem kind of cheaply built. It has a smoother ride then the Liberty's. You don't see many patriots in this area and it is hard to find someone to service it. Has very little cargo space, as as a mom of 3 little ones, when they drop something I can not reach the back floor from the drivers seat to retrieve it.

 

I have a 2011 Patriot with just over 900 miles on it... no problems yet!

 

09 sport automatic 4x4

and it's been taking pretty harshly off road with no issues, I take care of them before and after and am smart about going 4x4ing but she's holding up really nicely esp the paint and interior wash and vacuum regularly and keep up on maintenance should last you long time

 

My wife's rattled terribly in the front end, (2008, 40,000 miles when the rattle started). No dealer recommended or mentioned a TSB.

She unloaded it.

She liked the smooth ride but was disappointed how weak the suspension was for a "jeep". Traded it in for a Ford Edge. Double the engine power, double the towing capacity.

 

65k, completely original except for oil and tires. Had it since new

 

Transmission gone at 1289 miles

We purchased a 2011 Jeep Patriot and the transmission had to be replaced at 1289 miles. When it was taken for a test drive after the repair, the overdrive unit went out. New company policies for vehicle repair have caused us to be without our vehicle for one month now and Detroit argued for two weeks with the dealership who was repairing the vehicle about replacing the transmission. I was traveling at the time so it has been a huge inconvenience. Chrysler says they will get us a new Patriot but I can't get anyone to return phone calls. For us the issue has become whether Chrysler will stand behind its products. So far they have not shown us that they will. I loved driving the Patriot for the first 1288 miles.

 

I have a 2010 with 18,000 miles and bought it new.These are my issues. Windshield water leak, rear sway bar bushings squeaked/groaned horribly, Drivers seat track moved slightly back and forth when coming to a stop/accelerating, and also the seat fabric wore off where I used to have my wallet in my pants. I stopped putting my wallet in my rear pocket but I have done this in other vehicles for 5 or 6 years that I bought used and never had the fabric wear off. Anyway, all issues were covered/repaired under warranty for now. I still like the vehicle and love the way it looks except for the Dodge Neon looking headlights. I knew about the water leaks and suspension issues before I bought it. I thought it wouldn't happen to me and it may not happen to you. Either way I still enjoy the vehicle but would be happier if it didn't take 6 trips to the dealership to figure out that I needed new bushings.

 

I still like the vehicle and love the way it looks except for the Dodge Neon looking headlights.

I always thought of it as having Jeep Wrangler headlights...

 

I'd rather have round headlights than new Liberty's ones. Round ones look more classic IMO.

 

They seem more like old Cherokee lights to me. They are fine, although if/when mine need replaced I'll go to something just a bit brighter. I would like them to reach out just a bit more, especially in the country where I drive most, and you need to see deer on the sides of the road.

 

I had a Wrangler for 9 years and Patriot now for over 4 years (2007). The Wrangler is built much more sturdy, but the Patriot is so much better for MPG and much quieter. It does really well in the snow with 4WD. I would buy it again.

 

The 2WD version is horrible in the snow. It feels like the front end is trying to drag the rear end and is losing. It's like the front/rear weight distribution is 30/70.

 

Maybe you should have bought a 4WD.

 

I've been in some nasty snow and ice many times, using the same LS2's and had absolutely no problem or drama. But mine is FD 1.

 

My roommates 2wd Compass does GREAT in the snow. She didn't have the stability I had with my FDI, but good enough I couldnt convince her to get 4wd.