The 2008 Jeep Liberty makes no sense as a daily driver. It’s stuff, uncomfortable, and inefficient. But, with typical Blue Book pricing starting in the low $6,000 range, it’s an affordable alternative to the expensive Wrangler and FJ Cruiser.
Is the 2008 Jeep Liberty a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – As an off-roader, the Liberty deserves a 9. As a daily-driver, it’s a 5. So split the difference you’ve got a 7/10.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – It’s a Jeep, so it rides stiff and the cabin is cramped. If Jeep released a comfortable SUV, the brand’s diehard fans would probably boycott it.
- Reliability 7/10 – The engine and transmission will likely go the distance, but you’re going to have a lot of expensive repairs on the way to your first quarter million miles.
- Safety 7/10 – Crash test ratings are decent, and anti-lock brakes and traction control come standard.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – 16/22 wasn’t great for a compact SUV even in 2008.
- Value 8/10 – The Liberty’s not the most practical purchase overall, but comparing it to other off-roaders it’s one of the more affordable options out there.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Jeep Liberty?
Consumer Reports found the Jeep Liberty to be clumsy, inefficient, uncomfortable, and impractical. They note that the vehicle does live up to its reputation as an off-road towing machine, but they named it among the lowest rated vehicles in its category.
Kelley Blue Book liked the SUV’s “sky slider” roof, offering the open-air Jeep experience without the safety concerns of a soft-top Wrangler. They report that the Liberty is a poor choice of daily driver, with an uncomfortable cabin and a rough ride on pavement.
Edmunds praised the Liberty for its off-road and towing performance. They didn’t like the thirst V6 engine, the weak headlights, or the cheap-feeling interior, and they add to the consensus that the SUV handles poorly anywhere besides off-road.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Jeep Liberty Have?
The 2008 Jeep Liberty has generated 531 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Electrical issues make up more than one in five of these, with drivers reporting a range of technical glitches like horns and windshield wipers operating on their own.
More than 100 fuel system complaints point to fuel tank overflow, engine stall while in motion, and difficulty restarting the vehicle after it stalls out.
Liberty drivers have registered 39 airbag complaints, reporting a clockspring malfunction. A recall was issued in 2013 for inadvertent airbag deployment, but this issue appears unrelated to the yet-unrecalled clockspring problem.
The 2008 Jeep Liberty has been recalled 5 times, which is within the median for an SUV this old.
How Long Will the 2008 Jeep Liberty Last?
A Jeep Liberty can last a long time with excellent care, but you should expect to get around 200,000 miles out of it before the first really round of really expensive repairs. Jeep engines and transmissions can go the distance, but they’re notorious for costly fixes on the road to the high mileage club.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $486, with new oil pumps being the most expensive common repairs, starting at around $1,036, followed by new ABS control modules at $710.
Mine has been very reliable. I have had it for 11+ years and it has had very few problems, nothing major.
It has had a few minor problems but it is also 11 years old. Most of the problems seem due to general wear and tear to me. It is very reliable in the snow.
It has been very reliable. I recently had a problem with electrical system but it is 11 years old. The sliding top can be noisy at times.
With my current vehicle it has not given me any problems and I purchased it used. It is perfect for driving in the city and rural area where I live.
It is very reliable and I have had only a few problems in the 6 years that I have had it. But for the most part, it is an amazing car and is absolutely reliable.
Heater core problems mainly and my gas bubbles up and spits out when I fill up so yes and no the car is good but make sure you check it out before you buy it.
The Jeep Liberty is a very reliable vehicle. The only problems that it has is normal wear and tear issues that any vehicle would have.
It’s reliable with a few minor problems. Mainly cosmetic, but there is a problem with the fuel hose that I am currently looking at.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2008 Jeep Liberty is pretty basic, even for the model year. CD and MP3 players are about as fancy as it gets here.
Safety technology is generous. Anti-lock brakes and traction and stability control come standard, ensuring that the Liberty lives up to its reputation as a capable off-roader.
Is the 2008 Jeep Liberty a Good Value?
The 2008 Jeep Liberty isn’t the most practical purchase given its limited functionality and expensive repair bills, but it performs like a Wrangler at less than half the price. An entry-level model typically lists at around $6,059, with a Limited going for around $6,322.
Jeeps are, as a rule, expensive to refuel and expensive to maintain. They’re impractical, unwieldy, and make poor daily drivers. But they’re still a lot of fun to drive off road, and an entry-level 2008 Wrangler costs around $14,000, more than twice the price of a Liberty.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Jeep Liberty?
The 2008 Jeep Liberty is offered in just two trim levels being the Sport model and the high-end Limited:
With the base Sport you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- CD/MP3 player
- Manual air conditioning
- Power exterior mirrors
- Anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control
- Remote keyless entry
The Limited edition adds:
- Heated mirrors
- Premium cloth seating
- Fog lights
- 6-way power adjust driver seat
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio controls
What Engines Come In the 2008 Jeep Liberty?
- Whichever model Liberty you go with, you’re getting a 3.7L V6 engine delivering 210 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque at an average fuel economy of 16/22 miles to the gallon, city/highway. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in rear/four wheel drive, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
What Colors Does the 2008 Jeep Liberty Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Jeep Liberty?
The 2008 Jeep Liberty is just plain uncomfortable. Seating stretches a tight 48 inches across, smaller than some compact cars. The interior trim quality is poor, the cabin is smaller inside than it looks on the outside, and the SUV comes with classic Jeep suspension, meaning it’s rigid and shaky.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Jeep Liberty Have?
The Liberty offers 31 cubic feet of storage space with the seats up, or 64 cubic feet with the seats down. This is plenty of room for everything you want to take into the great outdoors with you, from coolers to tents to fishing gear.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2008 Jeep Liberty was the first of the nameplate’s 2nd Generation, or KK model, running until the 2012 model year.
2006: Electronic stability control was added to the standard feature list for 2006, as were roll mitigation and anti-lock brakes.
2007: Jeep dropped the 2.8L diesel engine from the lineup in 2007.
2008: The Liberty was redesigned for 2008, standing a couple inches longer at the wheelbase, with an optional sunroof and improved build quality, but everything under the hood was basically the same as in the 2007 model.
2009: Suspension and braking were revised for 2009.
2010: There were no major changes for 2010 beyond revised headrests.
How Does the 2008 Jeep Liberty Compare to the Competition?
If you’re buying any Jeep, don’t buy it as a daily driver. If you want something that’s off-road-capable, a Honda CR-V is more fuel efficient, more practical, more versatile, and more comfortable. It also costs a little extra, starting in the $7,000 range, but you’ll save the difference on refueling and repairs over the years.
But, if you know what you’re getting yourself into, if you’re well aware that Jeeps make poor daily drivers, and you’re specifically shopping for a fun weekend adventure vehicle, the Liberty is not only cheaper than a comparable Wrangler, it’s cheaper than a Toyota FJ Cruiser, too, which starts in the $14,000 range.
The 2008 Jeep Liberty is one of the least versatile, least practical daily drivers on the road, but it’s one of the more affordable dedicated off-roaders.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Jeep Liberty?
Yes. Love having the four wheel drive available when needed. It is not the greatest for gas mileage, but I use it pretty much exclusively for local use.
Yes. It drives really well and has not had many problems. It has done very well in the snow. I feel very safe.
Yes. It is comfortable and easy to drive and easy to see out of. It has the soft sliding top which is fun to have. I have the limited so I have larger wheels and chrome accents.
Yes very reliable I love how had efficient it is and love cruise control on it. All the settings in the vehicle are very easy to use.
Yes it is, it is very reliable and has great features. I have had my car for about 6 years now and I love it.
Mine is the only jeep that I have ever heard of with rear wheel drive so it is difficult to drive in the winter. It is reliable and gets you from point a to point b safely.
Yes. It is a good vehicle. It is good in the snow and rain. My street doesn't get plowed often so having the four wheel drive option is nice.
Yes, I need a few things fixed but it is a great car. It handles great and I love the feeling of being high up.
