Head-to-head reliability
JEEP Patriot vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the JEEP Patriot and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
JEEP Patriot vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Patriot averages 264 complaints per year, with engine and transmission failures common, while the Silverado averages 510.5 complaints per year, including serious brake issues. The Silverado has more recalls (100 vs 16). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the JEEP Patriot or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
JEEP Patriot
The Jeep Patriot, a compact SUV, shows a high complaint rate of 264 per year over the past decade, with engine and powertrain issues dominating. Owners report sudden power loss, jerking, and even engine failure at relatively low mileage, making it a risky used purchase. Electrical gremlins and air bag concerns add to the ownership burden.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado, a full-size pickup, has a higher total complaint count but a lower per-year rate of 510.5, reflecting its larger sales volume. Engine and powertrain problems are common, including severe issues like loss of motive power and transmission failure, but the Silverado also shows a significant number of brake-related complaints, which is a safety concern.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | JEEP Patriot | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,640 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 123 | 117 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 264.0 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 128 | 104 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
JEEP Patriot
- 01ENGINE763
- 02POWER TRAIN420
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM400
- 04AIR BAGS380
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER320
Owners report sudden engine failure, often with low mileage, and repeated check engine lights. In one case, a motor blew at 48,000 miles, and another experienced jerking and acceleration issues due to sensor failures.
Transmission problems are frequent, with reports of whining noises, loss of power, and deceleration at highway speeds. Some vehicles also jerk or hesitate, indicating potential transmission or driveline issues.
Electrical issues manifest as multiple warning lights illuminating simultaneously, causing the vehicle to jolt or become unsafe. Persistent electrical problems can be difficult to diagnose and fix.
There are reports of spontaneous deployment of the active head restraint (AHR), causing injury, and air bags failing to deploy in crashes, which is a critical safety concern.
“On 10/27/2020, I financed a Jeep Patriot with 43K miles from Quality Chevrolet. Exactly 6 days later 11/02/2020, while I was on the way home from work in the evening; three sensor lights came on causing the vehicle to jolt / jerk / accelerate and become unsaf…”
“I BOUGHT A 2017 JEEP PATRIOT IN FEB 2017 FROM LEE AUTO MALL IN APRIL 2018 THE MOTOR BLEW WITH 48,000 MILES ON IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING OUT OF WORK ON A CITY STREET. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY APRIL 2018. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN J…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Engine failures are reported, including a 6.2L motor that failed within 2,500 miles of purchase, and diesel particulate filter (DPF) issues causing excessive soot accumulation and requiring repeated dealer visits.
Transmission problems include sudden shifting into neutral while driving, and loss of motive power at highway speeds, which can be dangerous. Some owners also report abnormal noises from the drivetrain.
Electrical failures can lead to a sudden loss of braking and steering, as well as engine pinging and power loss. These issues may be intermittent and hard to trace.
Brake-related complaints include a sudden, severe loss of braking effectiveness, with the pedal firm but the vehicle not stopping. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to crashes.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
JEEP Patriot — 16 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pret…
The risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrys…
The defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200, and model year 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly r…
The risk: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine balance shaft module, free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N52.
The defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles manufactured May 6, 2008, through July 20, 2012. The affected vehicles have a software error which may result in a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the seatbelt pre-tensioners and/or sid…
The risk: In the event of a rollover necessitating airbag deployment, the software error can lead to a delayed deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain airbag and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners. As a result, vehicle occupants have an increased r…
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall number is N01.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pret…
The risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrys…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevr…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
The risk: A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra HD 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertentl…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GMC Hummer EV pick up, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV vehicles. The left or right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the left and right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 /…
Buyer analysis
JEEP Patriot or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Jeep Patriot has a lower complaint rate per year (264) compared to the Silverado (510.5), but the Patriot's issues are more concentrated in engine and transmission failures that can leave you stranded. The Silverado, while having more complaints overall, is a higher-volume vehicle and its problems, though serious, may be less frequent per unit sold.
Key differences
- The Patriot has a higher rate of engine failures relative to its complaint count, with reports of engines blowing at low mileage.
- The Silverado shows a significant number of brake-related complaints, including sudden loss of braking, which is a critical safety concern.
- The Patriot's electrical issues often cause drivability problems like jerking and acceleration, while the Silverado's electrical failures can lead to loss of steering and brakes.
- The Silverado has more recalls (100) than the Patriot (16), indicating a higher frequency of manufacturer-identified defects.
- Check for any history of engine replacement or major engine work, as many Patriots have had engines fail prematurely.
- Inspect the transmission for signs of slipping or whining, and test drive at highway speeds to ensure no loss of power.
- Verify the brake system thoroughly, including the brake fluid level sensor and brake performance, as sudden loss of braking has been reported.
- Look for any DTC codes related to the diesel particulate filter if it's a diesel model, and check service records for repeated DPF regenerations.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls; ensure all recalls have been performed.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any hesitation or loss of power.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and transmission service, to gauge how well the vehicle was cared for.
- Consider the cost of potential repairs: the Patriot's engine and transmission issues can be expensive, while the Silverado's brake and electrical problems may also be costly.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | JEEP Patriot | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 591 |
| 2017 | 59 | 0 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific JEEP Patriot or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- JEEP Patriot vs Chevrolet Silverado
- JEEP Patriot total complaints
- 2,640
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- JEEP Patriot total recalls
- 16
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- JEEP Patriot avg complaints/year
- 264.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- JEEP Patriot
- JEEP Patriot top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE