2014 Jeep Patriot been good no major issues but malfunction light came on steady not flashing , read manual  hey mechanics possible cause? ?

Too many to guess at. You need the code(s) read. My daughters 2012 had a fuel evap error...

https://repairpal.com/estimator/jeep/patriot/fuel-...

Go to The Zone and get the codes read for free.  Or you can get your own scanner.

Steady is worse than Flashing.  Read your manual.  There is only so many things that make it go off.

.  Try to take off gas cap and put on again.  Sometimes that fixes it.  It is a sensor.

I could look up the trouble codes for you, or you could do it yourself. Seeing the light on tells you to check why it's on, and you do that with a code scanner. Car part stores will scan codes free, but make sure you write them down exactly. There are no codes that tell you to replace any part, butthey can tell wichparts need to be tested to zero in on what the cause of the problem is. Lookit:https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/

I bought my own code scanner for convenience and since they're so cheap these days. I gave one to my sister as well. Know this though- erasing the code does NOT repair the car.

Have you gone to an auto pats store to have the codes read yet? You need to post the codes here to get help!