Best and Worst Years for the Jeep Liberty

Aug 24, 2021

During its 11-year run, the Jeep Liberty was a big seller before facing countless recalls, including 14 in one year. We review its best and worst years up to its final, 2012.

2005 Jeep Liberty- Photo By Jeep

Key Points

Production of the Jeep Liberty four-door SUV lasted 11 model years (2001 to 2012).
Earlier models were the most unreliable, with several recalls for fluid leaks and faulty airbags.
The best years for the Liberty SUV are 2007, 2008, and 2009. Most notably, 2009 models had just one recall.

2005 Jeep Liberty 1- Photo By Jeep

Jeep Liberty Replaces Cherokee, Has Big but Fleeting Success, Leaves a Few Good Years

The Jeep Liberty was introduced for 2002 as a replacement for the ever-popular Cherokee. Many argued against Jeep for replacing what was already a well-received model.

However, initial impressions proved otherwise as the first year saw sales reach 88,485 units, The second-year sales left critics in awe, soaring to 171,212 units, the best ever in its 11-year run.

Clearly, people accepted the Liberty as a promising SUV. However, things started to fall apart after a 2008 refresh, when sales started to drop. And drop they did, until Jeep finally ceased production of the Liberty for 2012.

Why did Jeep discontinue the Liberty? Its decline can be largely attributed to the many complaints lodged by owners. However, not every model year was faulty.

2012 Jeep Liberty- Photo By Jeep

Liberty’s Worst Years: Potential Fuel Leaks and Fire Hazards Mar Jeep’s Early Generations

Starting with the worst years, as per Repair Pal, the Jeep Liberty has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of five stars and ranks 15th out of the 32 car brands. If you were to read the reviews, it shows that most problems are related to faulty electronics and drivetrain issues like transmission failure and fluid leaks.

The websites CoPilot Search and Jeep Modified mention the 2002, 2004, and 2012 Jeep Liberty as having the most problems.

We’ll break down the major safety issues below.

2002 Jeep Liberty

The introductory year wasn’t all that good for the Jeep Liberty. While 2002 was the best year in terms of sales, it also happens to be the worst year for this SUV as a whole.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued 14 recalls for the 2002 Liberty. The NHTSA also received around 1,800 registered complaints for the 2002 liberty. These include a faulty airbag system and seat belts to bad brakes and poorly-built suspension joints.

The 2002 model also had problems with fuel leaks that reportedly resulted in several Libertys catching fire and causing serious damage. On top of that, the 2002 Jeep Liberty garnered below-average safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The airbag issue involved the system activating inadvertently, and other incidents where the airbags failed to deploy during an accident.

A relatively same set of recalls and complaints were lodged against the 2003 Jeep Liberty as well. In addition to that, minor concerns like poor gas mileage and choppy ride quality were also part of the complaints.

2004 Jeep Liberty

If you thought Jeep would’ve learned from its past mistakes, you are wrong. The 2004 Jeep Liberty received 13 recalls, five investigations, and 1,083 complaints. In addition to carrying over its past flaws, the 2004 Liberty had several electronic issues, like power window failure, remote keyless entry malfunctioning, and other issues.

Included in the recalls was a fire hazard warning for certain 2002-2006 Liberty models. The fuel tanks in these vehicles are at risk of leakage in certain rear impacts, which could result in a fire. Also, Daimler-Chrysler issued a recall for a damaged alternator wiring harness that could potentially set the engine bay on fire.

The 2005 Liberty saw recalls reduced to eight, but 2006 saw them rise to 10 recalls.

2012 Jeep Liberty

Though the refresh saw things improve, the Liberty was far from what you’d call a reliable people carrier. What makes the 2012 particularly worse is its suspension issues, transmission failure, and appalling fuel economy (a general complaint about most Liberty models).

The 2012 Liberty did fare well as opposed to its predecessors. Recalls were limited to two while complaints totaled 359. Various Liberty owners complained about ball joints and control arms failing on cars with less than 50,000 miles. Which, considering how expensive a fix can be, is not a reassuring prospect.

The four-speed automatic transmission also had several problems, including premature failure, fluid leaks, and lethargic performance. Another concern was the Liberty’s below-average fuel economy. Where competitors average around 25 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, the Liberty returns 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

2009 Jeep Liberty Limited- Photo By Jeep

Liberty’s Best Years: Later Models Have Fewer Recalls, Improved Fuel Economy

Despite some of the serious recalls for the Jeep Liberty, if we were to consult the NHTSA, it turns out, 2009 seems to have held up pretty well. The 2009 Jeep Liberty has only been recalled once, over improperly fastened aftermarket struts. Otherwise, there hasn’t been any “manufacturer” recalls, which is good news considering how the past models were.

On a positive note, the 2009 Jeep Liberty‘s ride quality saw a dramatic improvement, as did the fuel economy figures. And overall, the majority of 2009 Jeep Liberty owners had a pleasant experience.

2008 Jeep Liberty Includes Extra Safety Features

Another good year for the Jeep Liberty was 2008 when the all-new SUV offered 35 safety and security features.

The 2008 Jeep Liberty now featured Hill Descent Control, which provides downhill assistance at a controlled rate of speed. Another new feature was Hill Start Assist, which allows the driver time to transition from brake to throttle to achieve a smooth launch on a grade.

Extra safety features on the 2008 model include supplemental side-curtain airbags with multiple sensors to offer rollover protection.

Old-school Style Still an Option with 2007 Jeep Liberty

If you prefer the rounded features of the first-generation Jeep Liberty, then you’ll agree 2007 is another good year, as it’s the last before the squared-off style overhaul. There have been seven recalls for 2007, but the last was in May 2018, so most should have already been completed. Remember to run a VIN scan to make sure.

Safety is mostly five out of five stars across the board, with just the front passenger side rating resting at four. Regardless, owners here at Vehicle History give the 2007 Liberty an overall 4.2 out of five stars across nearly 200 reviews. And for a $5,000 to $8,000 price tag, the 2007 Liberty is a nice little SUV.

Is the Jeep Liberty a Reliable Ride Overall?

To sum up, the Jeep Liberty is far from an ideal SUV. Although it had a successful run initially, things quickly started to go south. There were several issues that plagued the SUV, but later model years fixed a lot of them.

While the Jeep Liberty isn’t perfect, it’s still a fairly capable, practical four-door SUV.

Photos: Jeep

Frequently Asked Questions

Mar 27, 2022

What is wrong with the Jeep Liberty?

The Jeep Liberty has had a few common problems over the years. The most reported problem with the Liberty is that they will get a check engine light and misfires caused by problems with the intake valves. The intake valves on these engines were known to fail and have locked up in the past, Jeep has released new valves that can prevent the problem from happening.

The next most commonly reported problem with the Jeep Liberty is that the power window motors have been known to fail. These failures were usually caused by a bad regulator and motor and you will need to replace both components to get the window working properly again. This is a common problem across many Jeep vehicles.

The third most common problem with the Jeep Liberty is that the vehicle may fail to start suddenly. This is caused by a problem with the wireless control module for the vehicle and when it fails then the key cannot disable the security system to start it. To fix this you will need to replace the entire module with a new one.

Is a Jeep Liberty expensive to fix?

The Jeep Liberty overall has an estimated annual cost of $650 to $675 per year for maintenance and repairs. This is on the higher end for vehicles on the road which averages $500 to $700 across all makes and models. The Liberty is also more expensive than other compact and midsize SUVs which are closer to $575 to $600.

The Jeep Liberty tends to be more expensive to repair and maintain because they are not known for being the most reliable vehicles on the road. These routinely have mechanical issues that can be expensive and time-consuming to repair which drives up the costs.

The fact that most Jeep Libertys on the road are older also adds to the costs. Vehicles get more expensive to maintain and repair as they get older since more complex components begin to wear out. If you are in the market for a used Jeep Liberty you should have it looked over by a professional to make sure that there are not any expensive components that are close to wearing out.

Why was the Jeep Liberty discontinued?

The Jeep Liberty was first introduced for the 2002 model year and it technically was the third generation of the Jeep Cherokee. Jeep used the name Liberty to help differentiate it from the Grand Cherokee to reduce name confusion among buyers. They continued to produce the Liberty through 2012 when it was finally discontinued.

In 2014 the Jeep Cherokee KL platform was introduced, and this effectively replaced the Liberty in Jeep's lineup. This was the latest evolution of the Liberty, and Jeep just chose to go back to the older name since it has more off-road heritage and they hoped it could attract more buyers.

If you are looking for the latest version of the Liberty then you should look at the Cherokee since it is built on the same platform that the Liberty was built on in the past. Jeep has decided to rely heavily on their heritage model names in recent years and is bringing back the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer names as well.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Angela Lynn Woods on October 22, 2021

Awoods05201974@gmail.com

I bought a 2007 Jeep Liberty in 2021 and after owning it 2 months I had an issue with the front passenger side lower control arm. I was backing up to go somewhere when it broke, causing tire to turn outward. I had returned only 30-45 minutes earlier from driving a friend somewhere. If it had broke then, we could have been seriously injured or even killed. When replacing it, we noticed the rust and corrosion on both sides. The drivers side is going to have to be replaced too. I have had a squeaky front end lately too. We didn't see any type of grease fittings, so we keep having to put a spray type of lubricant every few days.We also have had issues with the brake lights not wanting to go off after shutting off ignition, battery not wanting to keep charged(going dead overnight), window not working on passenger back door, steering column moving during driving, and traction control issues.My overall rating of this vehicle from 0-10, is about 5, I been driving for almost 30 years and it's not worst vehicle I've owned but by farnot best. I feel Jeep needs to look at the consumer complaints and fix the issues if they value their customers.

Ryan H on November 3, 2021

2005 Jeep liberty renegade 6 cylinder 3.7l.

I love the vehicle, but would not buy another one. Despite the factory claim of around 20 mpg, I rarely get any better than 15mpg. The cosmetics are not built to withstand a rough life like you would expect from a Jeep, they are all very cheap plastic and break at junctions very easily if you ever try to do much maintenance yourself. At about 150,000 miles many engine components shot, I had to replace my radiator and fan, ac compressor, receiver drier, thermostat, and radiator cap. In my opinion most of this happened because where there actually is protection on the frame below the engine, it again is very cheap plastic and hard to repair, making the engine, particularly the radiator and radiator fan, susceptible to damage from below such as rocks slung from the tires. Shortly after fixing all that, my transmission blew, making it unable to be driven safely. Considering the cost of transmission replacement would cost as much or more (depending on location) as the value of the car, it is not worth fixing so I am looking for a new vehicle.

Shay B on November 11, 2021

2007 Jeep liberty is great unless you want to listen to music.

My car has been a great car. Has a high reliability and can take me places I need to go. I am a photographer and off-roading is often required. My Jeep liberty gets the job done and does it well. I do have a few problems going on with my car but those are my fault such as hitting a coyote driving home from a trip. It has a great performance for being a bit of an older car. It looks nice on the outside and is comfortable on the inside. I have created a bed in the back where the seats go down for traveling. It may look like a small car from the outside but it is actually very roomy and comfortable. It is a good commute or travel car. The four-wheel is really well and I do have an issue with the radio. Since it is an older car it has an older, more worn out radio and it does get static often. Nothing a new radio wouldn't fix. It does have a hard time also connecting with an AUX cord. The static is annoying but it is what it is.

Jaded on January 9, 2023

2012 Wolf in Sheeps clothing

In other words it looks nice from the outside but it's a POS. I HAVE A baby blue 2012 Liberty Sport. Almost immediately after purchase I had to replace the radiator wich they had to take out the entire dash inside so when I got it back the AC ended up needing repaired and I too have had the problems of suddenly not starting while at the same time for about 5 seconds make a pounding thunk ( very loud) before it completely shuts down. It's happened 5 times in a year and a half and the passenger window refuses to work every other day .I used to love Jeep but this vehicle ruined that. I don't get any more than 15mpg and need to use premium gasoline with all the banging and thuging .. I have to be honest when I say I prefer this plastic piece of s**t to sink in the river! Terrible that Jeep continued to put these out knowing there was problems.

Kim S on November 16, 2021

For a 2006 Jeep Liberty, the body and the engine have held up well.

Considering the vehicle is 12 years old, it runs well. The body is still in good condition, except for scrapes made by the previous owner. The seats show wear and tear, but nothing unreasonable for a vehicle this old. I have an engine light which is on most of the time but the code is obscure and my mechanic has struggled to figure out a fix. The back door does not work properly. The hinge for the window does not work. I am unable to open the door because a part needs to be replaced in order for it to lock and unlock traditionally. Overall, for a 2006 vehicle, it does well.

Kathie B on October 18, 2021

I am very happy with my 2007 Jeep Liberty.

It is a comfortable ride and I feel I get pretty good gas mileage(16-24). I do not like to ride in vehicles that are low to the ground. I have trouble getting in and out of them. That is one of the main reasons I bought this vehicle 7 years ago. At the last inspection I asked the garage to go over this Jeep carefully. The mechanic said there is only surface rust on the frame and I live in Pennsylvania so that is really good. I would recommend to anyone to buy a Jeep Liberty. I absolutely love this vehicle.

Wanda M on October 31, 2021

For a small compact SUV you cannot beat the 2007 Jeep liberty.

For a small compact SUV you cannot beat the Jeep liberty. It is very easy to drive. It is for the most part comfortable. It has adequate cargo room. The backseat even lets down for additional cargo room. It definitely has get-up-and-go when it needs to. The used Jeep we bought has performed very well. It has made many road trips quite successfully. It is a vehicle that you can trust. Even after over 215, 000 miles our Jeep stills performs well and still looks very sporty.

Ryan J on November 11, 2021

I have had no major problems with my vehicle. It is a 2008 and very reliable.

The interior has fabric seats which are surprisingly easy to keep clean and not hot and sticky like leather. The vehicle is on the heavier side so it does take some getting used to in the beginning. The gas mileage is not the best compared to many cars on the road today. I get currently about 15 miles per gallon. The vehicle is very comfortable for long car rides. The trunk is spacious. I play golf and I can fit several full size golf bags in the back with no problem.

Emily H on October 19, 2021

Not Built to Last: Jeep Liberty 2008

The Jeep is sporty looking it gets pretty good gas mileage. However, as I have had the vehicle longer, I have realized that because most of it was made with cheap plastic parts, things break very easily and are not built for hot and dry climates where things get brittle in the sun. It's very fun to drive but it is not a very luxurious vehicle. The doors are heavy and it's hard to get in and out of unless you are a tall person.

Bradley M on October 19, 2021

2004 Jeep Liberty pros and cons.

This 2004 Jeeps liberty burns oil which causes it to smoke. This also means adding oil much more often than you would with a regular car. The coolant tank has had a leak several times and the tank has had to be replaced. The window has torn up several times and by torn up I mean once you roll it down you can't really back it up and it gets stuck which is awful if you're out and about when its raining.

Jody L on November 12, 2021

Pros and Cons of Jeep Liberty

The size of the vehicle is the biggest plus. It is a SUV but not too large to maneuver in smaller parking lots. It has the latch system for child car seats for easy installation. Four wheel drive is an added plus. Limited vehicle repairs outside of routine maintenance. Gas mileage is not great and there is a lot of noise when you open the windows especially the back windows.

EJ Denkle on July 8, 2022

2 Jeep Libertys quit

I had 2 Jeep Libertys - 2002 and 2007. The 2002 died when a bolt loosen and flew thru the engine at 135,000; and, the 2007 dropped a transmission at 102,000. Both were well maintained with service records for every 5,000 miles. Over the years, Jeeps are known for not being the most reliable vehicles. But, as much as I loved both of the vehicles I will never own another Jeep

Sarah A on November 3, 2021

2008 Jeep Liberty: Perfect for Winter Driving

I purchased my Jeep Liberty to get around during winter weather and it has never let me down. It handles extremely well on snow and ice. The available 4-wheel drive is also helpful when the snow is deep enough. There is plenty of room in the backseat for passengers, and there is also decent cargo space. You can also lower the back seats for hauling even more.

Kaitlyn N on October 15, 2021

2002 Jeep Liberty is a great car for a couple of people.

This car works well for a small SUV. It has four wheel drive, heated seats, a sunroof, and leather seats. The back seat is small, so not good for a large family but works for a few people. The one feature I do not like is how the window buttons are in between the driver and passenger seats, versus being on the driver’s side.

Patricia Cates on October 17, 2021

Do not buy 2012 jeep liberty

Purchased my 2012 jeep liberty in march 2020. Driver side window quit working at 68,000 miles. AC has a huge leak in it now at 72,000 miles. Was told $1000 to repair it and will take 2 days. Driver side windshield washer jet quit working and now the passenger jet is barely working. Temp gauge light is now out.

Matthew O on November 4, 2021

2007 Jeep liberty sport best buy of all time.

215K miles, runs great, best vehicle I have ever owned, would recommend to anyone and everyone, all I've ever had to do was change a battery and the spark plugs, absolutely bulletproof vehicle, very comfortable driving, has standard sound system that provides awesome sound quality, absolute best buy.

Katherine H on October 14, 2021

2009 Jeep Liberty: Reliable and Fun to drive

It's extremely reliable and fun to drive. Now that it is a decade old the motor is really loud but I live in an area with a lot of snow and it is a great vehicle for the terrain. It is easy to keep clean. The fuel efficiency is a bit low. I have never failed anything with it. Lots of trunk space.

Craig F on November 1, 2021

Owned this 2009 Jeep Liberty Since New.

Got about 21 MPG Hwy and 16 City until the 10% ethanol law took effect. No Gets 18 Hyw and 14 City. Tow good, Off road like a jeep should. If your worried about Squawks or A stiff ride buy a SUV. If you want great off road fun, a champ in snow and ice get a Jeep. Do love the sky slider roof.

Allison O on October 26, 2021

I have a bluish purple Jeep liberty (2008).

I love everything about my Jeep except the gas mileage, I am only averaging 13 miles to the gallon. It runs beautifully, is a smooth ride and is super nice looking. I love the sound system, I listen to music quite loud in my car so it is important to me the speakers work well and they do.

Scott Barnes on November 7, 2021

Truth about my 2012 Jeep Liberty

Horrible too many defects, too many recalls lousy vehicle cheaply made. It has been back for service more than 23 times in 3 years, 4 recalls and today it still does not work, it was serviced twice in one day and they still could not repair it so it does not work. NO MORE JEEPS for ME

Brittany G on October 28, 2021

2003 Jeep Liberty poor performance

The Jeep is cheaply made and it has poor interior. The parts are expensive and they also break easily. It has a lot of electrical issues and something is always breaking. It's not reliable at all and once you fix something another thing breaks. I would not recommend this vehicle.

Honey C on October 27, 2021

2002 Jeep Liberty, built like a tank.

Great vehicle for outdoor activities including kids and dogs. A few safety recalls but overall minimal service issues. This vehicle has been extremely reliable, even after sitting unused for 5 years. The negative aspect is very poor gas mileage, both city and highway.

Norma L on October 23, 2021

Dependable and great performance.

Very reliable, comfortable, dependable, 4 wheel drive, perfect on the snow, have not any problems, attractive, easy to park I love my Jeep, after 150 thousand miles, runs perfect, would recommend this brand of car any time, best investment I ever made.

Linda W on October 11, 2021

My 2007 jeep liberty is very reliable. I had it for 10 years.

T never needed any major repairs, only the basic required maintenance. There was a few minor repairs needed for basic wear and tear and the cost was affordable. I would definitely recommend this vehicle to everyone for reliability and longevity.

Nicole S on October 31, 2021

The 2007 Jeep Liberty has held up very well.

I have barely had to change anything on it in the last 4 years. The car handles very well and has plenty of room. The leather seats have held up very well with little to no maintenance. The car handles off roading very well with the right tires.

David Johnson on October 18, 2022

I love my Liberty

I have a 2002 Liberty I bought new. Over the years no problems other than normal issues.Now with over 200,000 miles it blew a head gasket.Got it fixed and going great.Always ran great Love it!

Char brown on November 4, 2021

Junker alert 2012 Jeep Liberty

Worst vehicle ever had had to replace entire brake system. Had the engine throw a rod at 58000 miles. 3 radiators in 3 years. All this while making payments on a certified used piece of junk.

G H on December 13, 2021

2003 Jeep Liberty

Had since 2004. Very smooth riding unit. Handles well and will go through anything.Build like a tank. Almost had it 20 years and drives like new Best I have ever owned.

John W on October 29, 2021

2009 Jeep liberty: a well-rounded vehicle, on and off road.

The 2009 jeep liberty is a reliable vehicle with average mpg and decent off-road capabilities. It was designed rugged inside and out and has forgiving maintenance.

Ken P Holster on March 4, 2022

Kenyradios@optonline.net

MY 2012 IS RELIABLE FUN TO DRIVE AND HAD ONLY ONE BIG PROBLEM [ NOISY VALVES ] THAT WERE FIXED UNDER MY WARRANTY. NOW HAS 90000 ON HER AND JUST FINE

Kiran Menon

Kiran has been a fan of automobiles ever since he was a kid, thanks in part to auto magazines and TV shows like Top Gear. Fast forward a few years, and this obsession eventually led him to earn a degree in automotive engineering. He now writes about all things motoring for Vehicle History and HotCars after starting his auto journalism career as a features writer for CarHP.