2007 Jeep Patriot Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2007 model year most often describe the engine stalling shortly after refueling, sometimes with steering or brake assist lost during the stall. Stalls or shudders at low speed without refueling, rust in the cross members and frame, and fuel filler or pump problems also come up, and the trend in the data is falling. Most refueling stall reports list mileage between about 60,000 and 150,000 miles, while the rust complaints were mostly filed between 2014 and 2017.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Stalls shortly after refueling

   • 53 complaints (56%)
   • median 95,500 mi at 11.5 yrs old (48 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2023

   Owners describe the engine stalling soon after filling the tank, often within a minute or two of pulling away from the pump, and sometimes after the tank is filled to the automatic shutoff. Some say the engine cuts out in traffic, at intersections or on the highway, and that steering or brake assist was lost during the stall, while others say it restarts after a few minutes. Repairs described include a charcoal canister or injector replacement, and a fuel tank replacement was recommended in some complaints; some owners say the stalls continued afterward. Most entries list mileage between about 60,000 and 150,000 miles, and the stall typically starts within minutes of leaving the pump.

   What to check: On a safe test drive, fill the tank and drive a short route to see whether the engine stalls, and check for fuel smells at the filler. Ask the seller for any repair records covering the fuel tank, filler neck, charcoal canister or fuel pump.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After filling the gas tank the engine will stall. It happens with engine idleing or after enterring traffic. Very very very very.......dangerous, Jeep needs to fix this issue. Tons of Jeep owners are having this problem. Jeep don't wait until your product has kill a bunch of people including me and my family.”

   NHTSA complaint #10817500, filed 2016-01, 59,700 miles

   “Every time I fill up my 2007 Jeep Patriot with fuel when I drive off into the city streets it turns off on me and everything locks up in traffic while I'm in motion almost causing a accident every time and that's once a week can you please help me before I get killed or someone else gets killed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11360571, filed 2020-09, 1 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Stalls or shudders at low speed without refueling

   • 10 complaints (11%)
   • median 70,052 mi at 7.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2013–2017

   Owners describe the engine stalling at stop signs, traffic lights or in parking lots, sometimes after the car shakes or lurches first. In some cases the engine would not restart until the key was turned off and the shifter put in park, and dealers in some complaints could not find a fault or reproduce the problem. Some complaints mention a steering angle sensor code, a possible ignition switch problem, or a transmission that had been replaced more than once. Mileage given ranges from about 150 to 85,000 miles, and these complaints were filed between 2013 and 2015.

   What to check: Have a technician check for stored codes with the engine idling, and test low-speed throttle response and shifting on a test drive. Ask whether the steering angle sensor, ignition switch or transmission has been replaced or updated.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After getting off the highway, approached a stop light. When I pushed on the accelerator car shook, then only moved at a speed of 5mph. When I got to the next stop light the vehicle was running, but not moving.”

   NHTSA complaint #10609739, filed 2014-07, 70,052 miles

   “I was stopped at a traffic light and my vehicle stalled on me, it began to shake a bit before it turned off. In order to get the vehicle back on, I had to turn the key to off, put the vehicle in park, then turn the vehicle back on. Unfortunately, I've been having this issue since 2007 and we are in 2013. I have taken the SUV to Jeep multiple times and they cannot find the problem, even after leaving it for over a week. Last week, I was making a u-turn when the vehicle stalled on me once again. I drew the line and I'm ready to take legal action. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10545425, filed 2013-09, 150 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Cross member, subframe or K-frame rust and cracks

   • 10 complaints (11%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 10.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2022

   Owners describe rust and corrosion in the front and rear cross members, the rear subframe and the K-frame under the engine, sometimes with holes or cracks. Complaints describe a clunk, rattle or abnormal noise while turning or driving, and in some cases a cross member or trailing arm dropped or detached while driving. Some owners say the dealer declined to cover the repair or told them to contact the manufacturer first. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 50,000 to nearly 244,000 miles, and most were filed between 2014 and 2017.

   What to check: Have a mechanic check the cross members, rear subframe and K-frame for rust holes, cracks or sagging before buying. Ask the seller for any frame or cross member repair records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I heard a knocking noise when I was backing out of my driveway and took it to a mechanic. They showed me that the rear sub frame was rotted. There is a huge hole from the rust. My car has always been garage kept and well maintained so this did not seem logical from everyday wear and tear.”

   NHTSA complaint #11021509, filed 2017-09, 197,000 miles

   “The right rear cross member and trailing arms fell down while driving, causing over $2500 in damage. Luckily I was going slowly enough because someone could have been seriously hurt. I was without my car for over a week.”

   NHTSA complaint #10567224, filed 2014-02, 67,318 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel filler neck, check valve or pump wiring problems

   • 14 complaints (15%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 9.1 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2020

   Owners describe fuel spilling from the filler neck while refueling, and a fuel tank that would not accept fuel because a check valve had failed. Other complaints describe a burning odor, or wiring at the fuel pump housing melting, with the owner concerned about a possible fire. Repairs described include a fuel tank replacement and a new fuel pump. Reports range from about 53,600 to 110,000 miles, and all were filed in 2014 or 2015.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel tank, filler neck, check valve or fuel pump has been replaced, and check for fuel smells or leaks around the tank and pump area. Have a technician inspect the fuel pump wiring connector for melting or discoloration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The wiring to and the fuel pump housing melted the wiring that goes from the back side of the plug and down to the pump that is submerged in fuel also melted it was a matter of time before it caught fire. The vehicle would still run and it would randomly short out while driving. I've replaced the pump and kept the parts that have burnt.”

   NHTSA complaint #10777786, filed 2015-09, 110,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Patriot. The contact stated that the fuel tank failed to accept fuel. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the check valve had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 03/25/14”

   NHTSA complaint #10566321, filed 2014-02, 80,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, ask whether the fuel tank, filler, charcoal canister or fuel pump has been repaired, and watch how the engine behaves after filling the tank on a safe test drive. Have a mechanic inspect the cross members and rear subframe for rust, since some complaints describe corrosion.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.