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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  Ill never buy another Chrysler - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By Millaina - October 1 - 2:53 am

  I like most people have had nothing but problems with the windows. I have had to replace all the window regulators and now I have had problems with the sun roof. I have had the torque converter worked on as well as the tranny. The biggest problem now though is the air conditioning only works when it feels like it and no one can tell me what the problem is. And of course I am out of warranty! I only have 47,000 miles on this thing! Oh and to add to all that the gas mileage stinks! I average around 15-16 mpg. Thats only a little better than the husbands 1991 Chevy 4x4!

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  Not Good - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By jillcurry5 - September 4 - 7:55 am

  I have had my Jeep Liberty for 5 years, I have had to have my air conditioner fixed 3 times. The windows have dropped 5 times, there was a recall on some jeeps in 2006, bad luck for mine did not make that cut, I now have 2 windows broken and dont have 700.00 to fix them.Too bad says Jeep, The back seat is covered in stains,because of a the type of material used . I will never buy another car from Jeep, and very sorry I bought the one Im stuck with.

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  No more Jeeps for me! - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Bard123 - August 11 - 9:20 pm

  I will NOT purchase another Jeep Liberty - NO WAY. Cruise control is terrible (+/- 5 mph!), seats are extremely uncomfortable, engine is under powered, and gas mileage is 16 - 19 mpg.

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  Liberty Brakes Danger - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By exjeep21 - June 19 - 7:06 pm

  I brought my third Jeep, a Liberty, in February, 2004. I now have 28,000 miles on it and the rear brake calipers locked and I had to have it fixed somewhere other than the dealer. The wheels were smoking and all they could say is that repairs are only at the dealer. I will never buy another. They just dont care!

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  Yuck - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By nomorejeeps - June 6 - 1:06 am

  On the positive side Ive gotten to know the mechanics at the local dealership much better since this ill- begotten purchase. I have an old Ford Ranger with 155,000 miles which still gives me far fewer problems then this money pit Jeep Liberty. Bearings, transfer case, air conditioner, bearings again, and a new vibration just caused me to drop this junk off again. Thank goodness I purchased an extended warrenty for the first time in my life. Averages only about 15 MPG and for a V6 should do much better.

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  Danger, Will Robinson! DANGER! - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By John Skiba - March 14 - 7:12 pm

  Bought the 2004 Liberty used in 2007 "ASIS" from our local Jeep dealer after our master certified mechanic did a full inspection and told us it seemed OK. 3 years later, while driving the interstate under 100% perfect driving conditions, I suddenly found myself with no steering (wheel had no effect). The car rolled 3 times then flipped end-over-end, skidded to a halt on its roof. The police wrote it up as a no-fault unknown cause accident. We got a recall notice 2 years later that explained that the problem could cause sudden loss of steering. When we contacted Jeep, they said unless we still had the wreck we were S.O.L. The standard Jeep response was always "We dont care!"

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  Bad Transmission - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By Mad - February 26 - 1:30 pm

  At 5000 miles I needed to have the torque converter and valve body replaced on my transmission. Both are MAJOR components. About 500 miles later the same problem with the transmission came back. it was not upshifting or downshifting properly especially in traffic. This time the dealership replaced the entire transmission. Now, 2 months after the transmission was replaced we are back to square one with even more issues. I like the design and feel of the Liberty but be aware that there are automatic transmission issues with this vehicle. I have talked to other Liberty owners that have experienced a lot of the same problems that I have experienced. My problems are still not over.

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  Speed Sensor Defect - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By becautious - February 10 - 2:23 pm

  I had good luck with my Jeep Liberty for the first year that I owned it, but a year later the speed sensor went bad and I had it fixed. Four-five months later it went bad again-had it repaired. Four months later, bad again. At this time took it to manufacturing dealership for repair. $256 later and the following day, it went bad again!! I keep being told this is not normal on these models so maybe I am lucky enough to have gotten one with a manufacturing defect. It is pretty bad on gas mileage and cant wait to get a different vehicle. I was actually on my way to look at one, hoping to get good trade in value on Jeep when sensor went bad again. At 85,000 miles now.

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  Jeep Engine Failures due to Valve Seats - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By David K - February 8 - 2:13 pm

  major problem with the valve seat coming off and damaging my Jeep Liberty engine. We purchased the car new and have continually provided maintenance on the vehicle at your dealerships. What is upsetting is the lack of interest now from your customer relations department except for your local dealership who has been supportive, on what has occurred. This is a safety issue and this problem is a manufacturer defect . This incident could have caused my daughter to have an accident since she was driving this car as a high school senior. I will take

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  Big disappointment - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By JeepDisappointment - January 15 - 10:00 am

  After a month of owning my brand new jeep liberty, I had to take it to the dealership to repair a transmission leak. The car looks good on the outside but was sluggish when driving on an incline and slow in accelerating. I expected to keep my new car for 10 years as I kept my previous car which was not a jeep for 13 years. Needless to say, I am deeply disappointed and would now like to trade my car after owning it for just a month.