Overview & Reviews

Sold from 2002-'12, the Jeep Liberty was the successor to one of America's original compact SUVs, the Cherokee (which returned in 2014). True to its tough, capable Jeep lineage, the Liberty has considerable off-road capability, thanks to steep approach and departure angles and exceptional suspension travel and articulation. The Liberty was also rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, a robust figure for its class. These are qualities not found in most other small utility vehicles from this time period, which saw the rise of crossover SUVs optimized for the suburban lifestyle.

Demerits for the Jeep Liberty include a weak engine lineup, with sluggish acceleration and dismal fuel economy from both the four-cylinder and V6 engines offered over the years (the first generation's briefly optional diesel engine is impressively fuel-efficient, however). Interior quality and comfort are also lacking, and by today's standards, the Liberty's general lack of refinement leaves much to be desired.

User Reviews:

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  Window problems - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By GerryR - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Jeep with only 17,000 miles on it. The drvers window had problems right away. I have to help it up or it goes crooked. Soon after that the passenger side started doing the same. In the last 3 months both rear windows have broken and fallen into the door. I have them propped up and they are unuseable. I cant believe there has not been a recall on this as there are hundreds if not thousands of complaints.I cant believe that Jeep would put out such a faulty product and do nothing to fix it. I will not buy another one.

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  WISH IT HAD A BIGGER MOTOR - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By KILEY - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I REALLY LIKE THE JEEP LIBERTY THAT I BOUGHT. I HAVE THE FREEDOM EDITION AND MAN IT LOOKS SHARP. I LIKE THE 17" TIRES AND RIMS, LOVE THE HALF CLOTH AND LEATHER FEATURE. THE ONLY DRAW BACK IS THAT I STEPPED OUT OF A 5.7 LITER V8 CHEVY INTO A 3.7 LITER V6 AND MAN DO I MISS THE POWER WHEN IT COMES TO PASSING PEOPLE AT 70 PLUS MILES PER HOUR. BUT HEY I DID HEAR A RUMOR THAT THEY PLAN ON BUILDING A NEWER MODEL WITH A 2 DOOR BODY AND A BIGGER ENGINE. ITS THATS TRUE I MAY HAVE TO UPGRADE FOR THAT ONE. I WOULD BUY THIS ONE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SPORTY BUT PRACTICAL SPORT UTILITY... ENJOY YOURS LIKE I HAVE..

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By JMBNY - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Jeep Liberty for 3 weeks. I love the car. The power is good and it handle very well during a snow blizzard. Also the wierdest thing happen to me today. I was in park waiting for someone and the car stalled on me.

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  2002 Liberty - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Mark - April 24 - 10:33 am

  I bought my 02 Liberty used. Its a Sport model with the 3.7L, auto and 4WD. The only problem I have had with it is a throttle positioning sensor going bad which was very easy to replace. Since Ive owned the vehicle Ive added 42,000 miles to it along with lifting it, adding aftermarket skid plates, larger wheels and tires and upgrading the sound system. I havent had a bit of trouble with it and it keeps up just as well on the trails with anything out there.

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  Repairs needed. Gas guzzler. Rides like a truck. - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By steadythunder - April 19 - 10:33 am

  I spent 1,500 dollars on repairs the first week I owned it. It cost me another 400 within the next week. I dont have much confidence in the reliability, since it left me stranded twice in the first month of ownership. It rides very much like a truck, and gets very poor gas mileage. Mine is 4WD, but did not come equipped with a towing package. It is the first 4WD I have owned with no provision for towing. It is very nice looking and the basic body style was the same for several years in a row. Mine could be mistaken for a much newer Liberty.

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  I gotta Jeep!!!! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By rrainy - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I test drove a Rav4, Honda CRV, Camry, Celica, Montero Sport, Wrangler and then saw the Jeep Liberty and thought cute but too big for me. Then I test drove it just to say I did. It was complete unexpected true love! Drove it home the next day. Been driving everywhere ever since. I used to panic at a snow forecast. Now I just smile.

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  Great ride, but horrible on gas - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Mike Vella - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The Jeep Liberty is a fantastic ride and very comforable. The fuel ecomony is poor on local roads even for an SUV. It does, however, improve greatly when on longer trips of 30 miles or more on the highway. I personally have a problem with the height of the panelling by the brakes. I have to position my right leg in such a manner as to not graze the panel. Thats a bit of hazard when having to brake suddenly. Drivers who are a smaller size may not have that problem. I happen to be 61. Those are my 2 major issues. I happen to enjoy my Jeep Liberty very much. The CD player and speakers are very good. The passenger seats are comfortable.

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  Jeep Jeep! - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By KT - March 24 - 3:22 am

  PROS: The 08 redesign was MUCH needed. VERY comfortable and fun to drive. Feels solid like a tank on the highway. Suspension is remarkable. TONS of storage room, compartments for all your shtuff, the radio sounds like a dream, feels powerful and strong yet safe like an American vehicle should! CONS: Gas mileage isnt very good, but it has a very big gas tank so you dont need to refill as often. Also not very good at making quick sharp turns, feels like its gonna flip.

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  Pure Fun Fun Fun - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By roblan - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Fuel consumption has been a major disappointment but this car is a lot of car for the money compared to other SUVs. Air conditioning system works great and not noisy at all (well maybe at full blast...). Handles beautifully on and off the road, very peppy and responsive. Instrument panel is easy to read both at night and during the day. Dont buy an SUV until you have test driven a Liberty. The only "flaw" is that the front windshield is dangerously close to the passengers, you almost feel you are going to fall off the vehicle, it takes a few days of adjusting, otherwise a nice car.

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  Rear Window - 2007 Jeep Liberty
  By Laura G - March 19 - 9:43 am

  Well, Im joining the club of broken rear window. Driving home last night6, went to roll up my back window ( I had it down a little bit, and I hear a loud bang. Sure enough. Rear window went out. I barely use the rear Windows. This is really upsetting that I am reading all the complaints and Jeep/Chrysler are not replacing these for free. I will never buy another Jeep. Way too costly. I bought it used, at end of 2009 30,0000 miles on it, but after 1 month the u-joint was bad. It was still under warranty, so the fix was free.