2002 Jeep Patriot problems

General information about Jeep-Patriot
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Jeep Patriot (MK74) is a front-engine five-door compact crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Jeep, having debuted with the Jeep Compass in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show for the 2007 model year. Both cars, as well as Dodge Caliber shared the GS platform, differentiated by their styling and marketing, with the Patriot exclusively offering a four-wheel drive system, marketed as Freedom Drive II.

The Patriot was manufactured at Chrysler's Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant alongside the Compass. Although the model was still selling well even as it was essentially unchanged as it entered its 11th model year, production ended with the 2017 model year.

Design

In the U.S. the Patriot uses either the 2.0 L or 2.4 L World gasoline I4 engine. Both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available. The Patriot features two four-wheel drive systems both of which are electronically controlled.

The standard four-wheel drive system is called Freedom Drive I. This is a full-time Automatic 4WD that directly drives the front differential carrier from the transmission output and is exclusively front-wheel drive whenever 4WD is not commanded by the powertrain control module or the driver. The transaxle supplies power to the rear drive unit via a driveshaft that is in constant mesh with the front carrier. The driveshaft joins the front transaxle through a small, fixed ratio gearbox which Jeep refers to as the Power Transfer Unit.The driveshaft is suspended by a centrally mounted carrier bearing and delivers torque to an assembly at the rear of the vehicle Jeep refers to as the Rear Drive Unit. An electronically controlled multi-plate wet clutch located inside the rear drive unit variably couples this driveshaft with a pinion gear that drives an open differential carrier and delivers power to the rear wheels. The clutch coupling force is sufficient to supply up to 100% of available engine torque to the rear axle. A driver accessible control located between the front seats allows the driver to command a locked 4wd mode that simulates the behavior of a fixed center coupling on a conventional 4WD vehicle. In both the default operating mode and the driver selected 4WD mode, the operation of this clutch is computer controlled and it will disconnect and revert to automatic operation above 35 miles per hour. To prevent static driveline windup the powertrain controller will vary the force of clutch engagement while the vehicle is traveling on a curved path, using input from a steering angle sensor.

An optional four-wheel drive system called Freedom Drive II is based on Freedom Drive I and operates similarly, however in combination with a unique CVT transmission it is capable of a 19:1 gear reduction simulating a low range usually found in vehicles with dedicated transfer cases. This 19:1 "crawl" ratio is achieved with a much lower (numerically higher) ring and pinion ratio compared to non Freedom Drive II vehicles and permits the driver to optionally hold this initial ratio for enhanced control at very low speeds.

Freedom Drive II is part of an equipment package including several other enhancements intended for use on more difficult terrain and Jeep Patriots with this package bear Jeep's "Trail Rated" badging.

All Jeep Patriots include an enhanced traction control system that operates on both driven axles (4WD models) or on the front axle only (2WD models) to supply torque to all four wheels effectively and without a locking or limited slip differential. This system is branded BLD by Jeep and operates by applying braking force to a wheel on either (driven) axle if that wheel is measured spinning faster than the other wheel on the same axle. BLD remains in effect even if the driver selects the traction control off option.

The 2.4 L GEMA I4 is an option for the 4X2 model Patriot.

For Europe and Australia, a 2.0 L (1968 cc; 120 cid; 140ps) Volkswagen-manufactured diesel engine is fitted along with a 6-speed manual gearbox. All EU cars are fitted as standard with four wheel drive and a version of the Freedom Drive System that tuned differently from the U.S. versions, but with similar capability to FDII with brake traction control and three switchable electronic stability control and traction control settings for on or off-road use.

The Patriot won the 2007 Green 4x4 Award and the 2008 4x4 of the Year in the UK.

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Common 2002 Jeep Patriot problems

Based on complaints from owners of the Jeep Patriot 2002, several common problems have been reported:

Water Leaks: In addition to the leaking door seals, water leaks have been reported in the Jeep Patriot and Compass models. Water leaks can lead to various issues, including mold growth, electrical problems, and damage to interior components. Addressing water leaks promptly is crucial to prevent further damage and maintain the vehicle's integrity.

Shaky Steering Wheel: Some Jeep models, including the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, have experienced a phenomenon known as the "Death Wobble." This term describes a situation where the front axle violently shakes, making the vehicle challenging to control. The shaky steering wheel can be attributed to issues like a damaged or misaligned regulator, necessitating potential replacement to ensure safe driving conditions.

These common problems reported by owners of the Jeep Patriot 2002 highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues to ensure the vehicle's longevity and performance.

What is the biggest problem with Jeep Patriot?

Common Jeep Patriot Problems

Premature CVT failure - The Patriot's continuously variable transmission is prone to failure. ...
Water leaking into the cabin - Numerous Patriot models are known to have leaky cabins. ...
Stalling engine - One of the worst issues with the Patriot lineup is the stalling engine.

Is the Jeep Patriot a reliable car?

The Jeep Patriot Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 15th out of 26 for compact SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $596 which means it has average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average, and major issues are less frequent than average, so major repairs are not common for the Patriot.

How many miles will a Jeep Patriot last?

According to motorbiscuit.com, a standard Jeep will last around 200,000 miles with proper care. Since the Patriot is known to last 200,000 miles, it's safe to say that anything right below 200,000 miles is high for the Jeep Patriot. It lines right up with the average for the manufacturer.

Is it expensive to fix a Jeep Patriot?

The average annual repair cost for a Jeep is $634, which means it has above average ownership costs.

What is the biggest problem with Jeep Patriot?

Common Jeep Patriot Problems

Premature CVT failure - The Patriot's continuously variable transmission is prone to failure. ...
Water leaking into the cabin - Numerous Patriot models are known to have leaky cabins. ...
Stalling engine - One of the worst issues with the Patriot lineup is the stalling engine.

Is it expensive to fix a Jeep Patriot?

The average annual repair cost for a Jeep is $634, which means it has above average ownership costs.

Do Jeep Patriots have good mileage?

With the 2.4-liter engine, the fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 23 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway.

How long do Jeep Patriots last for?

2002 Jeep Patriot car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Jeep Patriot problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Air bags problems
Seat belts problems
Tires problems
Wheels problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2002 Jeep Patriot vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2002 Jeep Patriot complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2002 Jeep Patriot.

2017-01-25

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2016-09-13
VIN: 1J4NF4GB5AD
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Summary: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

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2017-01-09

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2017-01-09
VIN: 1J4NF1GB8AD
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP PATRIOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

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2013-09-03

TIRES,WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2013-08-31
Components: TIRES,WHEELS
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 JEEP PATRIOT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE VALVE STEMS WERE FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *JB

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2002 Jeep Patriot problems:

2002 Jeep Wrangler Problems and Complaints - 14 Issues

https://repairpal.com/2002-jeep-wrangler/problems

Problem with your 2002 Jeep Wrangler? Our list of 14 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2002 Jeep Wrangler.

Common Issues with TJ's | Jeep Wrangler Forum

https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/common-issues-with-tjs.781042/

Jul 3, 2014 ... Hey everyone, I'm watching a 2000 TJ Sport at a local dealership that looks like it's in excellent condition. I don't have much experience ...

Turn signal problem | Jeep Patriot Forums

https://www.jeeppatriot.com/threads/turn-signal-problem.337186/

Oct 11, 2019 ... ... Jeep Patriot Sport for $2500 with electrical problems and shift issues. Bought a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has some problems I can fix ...

2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Trans problems?? | Jeep Wrangler Forum

https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/2002-jeep-wrangler-sahara-trans-problems.202777/

Dec 1, 2012 ... first two times when I put it into gear it died but then found the sweet spot. Runs perfect now. Is this a common problem with this cable? No a ...