NHTSA Complaint #11677908 — 2009 JEEP PATRIOT

I am submitting this complaint regarding the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) failure in our Jeep vehicle. We have experienced intermittent transmission issues throughout our entire period of ownership. The CVT has now completely failed—the vehicle will not shift out of low gear. The RPMs surge rapidly, and although the vehicle will move at very low speeds if you ease off the accelerator, it will not reach normal driving speeds, making it unsafe and unusable for daily travel. The check engine light is on, and diagnostic codes confirm a CVT-related issue. The vehicle originally came with a lifetime powertrain warranty. We complied with the required inspection and maintenance schedule, except for the most recent inspection, which we missed due to a personal hardship. Jeep initially sent reminders for these inspections but eventually stopped, and we received no notice of the upcoming deadline. The vehicle has been regularly maintained by a trusted local repair shop. Despite this, it is now undriveable. From both our personal experience and broader consumer reports, it’s clear that these types of CVT failures are common among Jeep vehicles. Jeep has refused to honor the warranty, stating it could only be reinstated if we paid for the repairs ourselves within a specific timeframe—which has now passed. This policy places an unreasonable burden on the consumer, especially for a known and recurring mechanical issue. We believe Jeep is failing to take responsibility for a serious safety and performance defect. I respectfully ask the NHTSA to investigate this matter further and evaluate whether broader action—such as a recall—is warranted.