The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary investigation into Chrysler’s Jeep Patriot following reports of stalling problems. The probe covers around 112,000 Patriots from the 2011 and 2012 model years.
The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 12 reports of stalling in the Patriot, 10 of which occurred at high speeds (+65mph). In eight of the instances, drivers were unable to restart the vehicle at all after the engine stalled and had to be towed away.
Depending on the outcome of the agency’s investigation, Chrysler could follow up with an official recall.
Certain MY2012 Patriots were recalled in April this year, along with the Jeep Compass, for a problem with the fuel tank assembly. In the event of an impact or roll-over with these models, fuel leakage could occur, increasing the risk of a fire. The MY2011 Patriot was recalled previously, along with several other Chrysler models, for a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
