Jeep Patriot Transmission Replacement Cost [Labor & Parts]
The Jeep Patriot was produced between the 2007 and 2017 model years. Within that decade there were multiple models across generations, all with different options.
Depending on which model and which options, the cost to repair or replace the transmission in your Patriot may vary, but one thing is for sure: it will be expensive.
On average, it will cost $1,300 to rebuild your transmission. If you are replacing your Jeep Patriot transmission, a used transmission can cost as little as $400, a remanufactured transmission will cost from $1,500 to $3,500, and a new transmission will cost $3,500 and up. With labor, you can expect to pay between $4,000 and $4,500 on average if you take the vehicle to a shop.
To prevent the need for a transmission replacement you can get your transmission fluid changed regularly for around $300 to $400.
There are ways to potentially mitigate the high price, and those options will be discussed below. However, it is generally not recommended to try to repair a transmission in your own garage unless you have that particular mechanical expertise.
What Is a Transmission?
The transmission in your Jeep Patriot is responsible for controlling the raw power that comes out of the internal combustions from your engine. Engine power is variable and excessive.
The transmission controls and reduces the power that gets sent to your wheels. By using gears or a pulley system, the transmission can give you steady power and torque based on your needs.
Since the transmission must control the engine’s power output and do the bidding of the driver’s whims, it is extremely complex by nature. A Jeep Patriot has either a standard automatic or continuously variable transmission.
Both systems require a high degree of accuracy to function, and both contain hundreds of parts that can be damaged. For this reason, you should not try to fix a transmission unless you are an expert technician.
How Can I Maintain My Jeep Patriot Transmission?
The best way you can maintain your transmission is to be a careful driver. The harder you drive, the faster your transmission must work. Accelerating smoothly and at a slower rate can do wonders.
The only other thing you need to do is replace your transmission fluid on schedule. Maintaining your transmission fluid keeps everything lubricated, thus preventing friction damage.
Without fluid, various parts will become in danger of seizing. You can get a transmission fluid change for $300 to $400.
Signs of a bad transmission
There are multiple symptoms of a bad Jeep Patriot transmission that you should be aware of. These symptoms are not all exclusive to a bad transmission, but any one of them warrants a transmission inspection.
Engine Light
One of the reasons that your check engine light may come on is a problem with your transmission. This is an excellent first warning and if you heed it, you may save yourself a lot of trouble in the long run.
Fluid Leak
Unless it’s water from your climate control, fluid leaking under your Jeep Patriot is not a good thing. That fluid could be transmission fluid, a sure sign that you have a leak in your system. The fix here could be something inexpensive so act fast before it gets worse.
Shifting problems
Your transmission health directly affects the ease at which you can shift gears. If shifting your Jeep Patriot has become abnormally difficult, one of the first things you should investigate is your transmission.
Odd Noises
New noises coming from your engine are never good. If you are hearing whining, growling, or grinding, you need to inspect the situation. Your transmission may be crying out for service.
Burning smell
The smell of transmission fluid is obvious and unpleasant. Not much has to be said here as you will likely get to a shop quickly just to get rid of the smell.
Shudder
Your Jeep Patriot may have come with the Continuously Variable Transmission option. If there is a transmission problem, you may experience shuddering while you drive. It’s almost like you are driving over a bunch of loose planks.
Rebuild Or Replace Jeep Patriot Transmission?
To decide whether you should rebuild or replace you will have to first get an inspection and a quote for both options. You can then compare and choose.
When you look at replacing, realize that the cost will be affected by whether you replace your transmission with a used, remanufactured, or new transmission.
Labor
Depending on what must be done, it may cost more in labor to rebuild your Jeep Patriot transmission rather than replace it. You should take this into account when you are doing your cost calculations.
Whereas it may take 6 to 8 hours to replace a transmission, it may take more in the range of 15 hours to rebuild. If you were paying $120 per hour for labor, in the previous comparison it would cost $720 for 6 hours of labor, and $1,800 for 15 hours.
Make sure your mechanic is clear about labor times.
Rebuild
It may be possible to fix your transmission issues with a rebuild instead of a replacement. Replacing gaskets, clutch components, filters, valves, and O-rings may be sufficient to take care of the problems you are experiencing.
Note that often the shop doing the job will utilize used parts for a rebuild to save you more money.
If, however, the damage is excessive, it may cost more to rebuild. If there is a problem with pumps, gears, casing, converters, shafts, or drums, there will be a much higher cost in parts and labor. It may then be worth it to just replace.
This option can be the most cost-effective. Further, you can get a private shop to do the job, thus saving you money on labor. Unfortunately, it’s also a gamble.
If those used parts break, or if one of the old and unrepaired parts finally wears down, you may be paying for a replacement all over again.
Finally, this option will have the worst warranty, probably 1 year or 12,000 miles, if any.
You can probably cut your replacement costs in half with this option. Where you might expect to pay $3,500 for a new transmission, you can get your broken one rebuilt for closer to $1,300.
Replacement options
If a rebuild is cost-prohibitive and you must replace the transmission in your Jeep Liberty, you have three options of transmissions to choose from: used, remanufactured, or new.
Used
You can try to install a used transmission into your Jeep Patriot, but this is truly a gamble. Anything can go wrong with a used transmission. Even if something does not go wrong, you will be constantly expecting something.
Basically, if you are buying a used transmission, you are really buying a headache.
However, if you’re willing to gamble and it pays off, you can get a used transmission for a fraction of the cost of a new, or even remanufactured, transmission.
An average cost for a used Jeep Patriot transmission is $400. If it doesn’t pay off, you may need to purchase yet another transmission. Good luck.
Remanufactured
A remanufactured transmission is much less of a gamble. With this type of transmission, all the parts are either fixed, refreshed, or replaced. It is assumed that these transmissions are virtually new.
You will pay more but can expect much more reliability from a remanufactured transmission as compared to a rebuilt one. Further, the warranty will be much better, typically in the three-year range.
Keep in mind that the cost for a remanufactured transmission will be increased because you will probably have to get it installed by an authorized shop.
Fortunately, many of the warranties will remain valid, even if you eventually get repairs at a private shop.
You can find remanufactured transmissions for your Jeep Patriot in the range of $1,500 to $3,500.
New
A new transmission will cost the most and be the safest option. Expect to pay around $3,500 for just the transmission. If it is installed correctly, however, it will work exactly as it should. If you are risk-averse, this is the way to go.
Conclusion
It is essential that you maintain your Jeep Patriot’s transmission. Regardless, eventually, you will have to either rebuild or replace it. Rebuilding can give new life to your transmission and can be much less expensive than a replacement.
If you need to replace your transmission, you can go with a used, remanufactured, or new Jeep Patriot transmission. Although there are costs and benefits to each option, a used transmission is a big gamble and should only be a very last resort.
In the end, no matter which option is the best for you, it will still be unfortunately expensive. It is therefore important to do as much research as you can and shop around.
Labor costs differ greatly around the nation, but they will also differ from mechanic to mechanic in one location. With some effort, you can save yourself thousands of dollars.
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