Jeep Liberty
Registered from 1996 to 2013.
About this model
The Jeep Liberty is a four-door unibody compact SUV manufactured and marketed by Jeep for model years 2002–2012 over two generations, internally designated the KJ (2002–2007) and KK (2008–2012), respectively. Both generations were marketed globally, including as the Jeep Cherokee outside North America.
From the Wikipedia article Jeep Liberty, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it stands out against its peers
- Air bags: more complaints than 91% of 2012 cars — 44% of its 385 complaints, where an ordinary 2012 car has 17%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- AIR BAGS — 109 owners reported this, 8 involving a crash
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 36 owners reported this, 3 involving a fire
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS — 28 owners reported this
- POWER TRAIN — 23 owners reported this, 2 involving a crash
- ENGINE — 20 owners reported this, 5 involving a fire
- STRUCTURE — 13 owners reported this
- SEATS — 8 owners reported this
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — 7 owners reported this, 2 involving a fire
- SERVICE BRAKES — 6 owners reported this, 1 involving a fire
Crash test
| Overall | ★★★☆☆ |
| Frontal crash | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Side crash | ★★★★☆ |
| Rollover | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Forward collision warning | No |
| Lane departure warning | No |
Crash-tested by NHTSA, the American road safety agency.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1872 kg · 2690 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2011 | 1872 kg · 2690 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2010 | 1872 kg · 2690 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2009 | 1872 kg · 2690 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2008 | 1872 kg · 2690 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 14.7 L/100km city · 10.7 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2007 | 1819 kg · 2650 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.8 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2006 | 1819 kg · 2650 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 14.7 L/100km city · 11.8 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2005 | 1834 kg · 2650 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 14.7 L/100km city · 11.8 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2004 | 1834 kg · 2650 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.8 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2003 | 1834 kg · 2650 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.8 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2002 | 1867 kg · 2650 mm wheelbase · 14.7 L/100km (EPA) · 16.8 L/100km city · 12.4 motorway |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
64% of 2012 cars have more recall campaigns than this one, and an ordinary one has 3. More of them means more to check the service record for, not a worse car.
13V282000
In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
17V640000
If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
Regulator investigations
Opened by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation is a question the regulator asked about a possible defect, not a fault it found — most end without a recall.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering analysis, opened September 2021, still open.
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Preliminary evaluation, opened September 2019, closed February 2026.
Electrical overstress
Engineering analysis, opened April 2019, closed September 2024.
Occupant Restraint Controller Failure
Preliminary evaluation, opened June 2017, closed December 2017.
Became recall 17V640000.
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Defect petition, opened September 2014, closed July 2015.
Jeep inadvertent air bag deployment
Recall query, opened May 2014, closed November 2015.
Jeep Liberty Door Fires
Preliminary evaluation, opened October 2013, closed March 2014.
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Engineering analysis, opened June 2012, closed November 2014.
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
Engineering analysis, opened January 2012, closed February 2013.
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
Preliminary evaluation, opened September 2011, closed January 2012.
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Engineering analysis, opened September 2011, closed March 2012.
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Preliminary evaluation, opened April 2011, closed September 2011.
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Audit query, opened November 2010, closed December 2015.
Upper ball joint separation
Engineering analysis, opened April 2008, closed April 2009.
Upper ball joint separation
Preliminary evaluation, opened December 2007, closed April 2008.
Diesel fuel leak
Preliminary evaluation, opened August 2007, closed December 2007.
Interior fire, passenger side dash area
Preliminary evaluation, opened November 2006, closed March 2007.
Front suspension ball joint separation
Engineering analysis, opened May 2006, closed August 2006.
Front suspension ball joint separation
Preliminary evaluation, opened January 2006, closed May 2006.
Front seat belt buckle malfunction
Engineering analysis, opened December 2005, closed December 2006.
Front seat belt buckle malfunction
Preliminary evaluation, opened August 2005, closed December 2005.
What the maker told its dealers
Service bulletins are the manufacturer's own repair guidance to dealers, filed with NHTSA. A bulletin is not a defect finding; the count rises with how many things a maker writes down, not only with how many go wrong.
Jeep filed 110 bulletins about the 2012 Liberty.
- Equipment: 36
- Electrical system: 22
- Structure: 14
- Engine and engine cooling: 9
- Seats: 7
- Power train: 5
- Fuel system, gasoline: 4
- Visibility: 3
- Seat belts: 2
- Suspension: 2
- Other: 6
- Switch - clutch starter interlock & master cylinder assembly - clutch · October 2025
- LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect. · January 2024
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring… · January 2024
- LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect. · October 2023
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring… · October 2023
- Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review Service Library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used · September 2023
- wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK · May 2023
- Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle. · January 2023
102 more.
Grouped by NHTSA's top-level system; a bulletin filed under a sub-heading counts toward its system.