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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  badjeep - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By badjeep - March 6 - 11:20 am

  I bought this Jeep a year and a half ago. It had 13000 miles and has been nothing but trouble. The window mounts break and the windows fall down into the doors(all four of them did this!) The light fuses burn out constantly and I cant keep up with replacing them. The anti-slip warning comes on on dry ground and the four- wheel drive kicks on when theres nothing to slip on! It has been one problem after another with this vehicle. After 28,000 miles it has been in the shop with so many problems, including expensive new shocks that I will not ever recommend this car to anyone. Im getting rid of it as soon as I can and never looking back at this very expensive and poorly made Jeep.

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  DONT BUY THE JEEP LIBERTY - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By PATTI PATTERSON - September 13 - 2:00 am

  MULTIPLE BRAKE PROBLEMS, SEVERE GRINDING AND CLUNKING NOISES. IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEVERAL DEALERSHIP VISITS "COULD NOT REPEAT NOISE". ENTIRE BRAKES REPLACED TWICE. NOW A STB HAS STATED THAT A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WILL NECESSITATE ROTOR REPLACEMENT, WHEN THE PARTS COME IN, HA! ALSO, HAD THE TRANSMISSION SEAL REPLACED. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE BALL JOINT RECALL, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM JEEP CONCERNING THIS MATTER.

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  Slider roof noisy - 2008 Jeep Liberty
  By ahck123 - September 6 - 2:46 pm

  Do not buy with slider roof. Purchased vehicle on 1/1/09. During test drive I asked about the roof noise & was told it would be a minor adjustment that could be done the next day. As rebates were expiring that day I purchased the car. The next day they couldnt fix in a day and I would have to leave the vehicle. After a week, the dist mgr, and 2 serv reps drove the car all agreed the noise was excessive. A week later they replaced a part and have declared it fixed. The noise is unchanged. I have paperwork showing that a Chrysler engineer said the repair they were going to do would not fix the problem. Chrysler will not buy the car back and have said it is normal noise.

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  Dont waste your money - 2006 Jeep Liberty
  By Daniel - September 5 - 8:30 am

  Ride quality is really bouncy, which I expected from owning Jeeps my whole life. Interior is cheap. Had in shop under warranty 6 times, 4 times for the windows falling down. Dealer said was a problem in all 2006 Libertys. They wouldnt replace the regulators or the windows until they fell, which was usually when it was raining. Now have rattle in the back end at 12,000 miles. Gas mileage is really bad. Seats in my 65th Anv addition stain really easy and dont come clean. I loved the Cherokees even though the electronics suck, but at least it was sound and took abuse. I got a Patriot for loaner and dash came loose. Jeep lost me as customer.

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  Jeep Junk - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Bill - July 4 - 3:10 pm

  After owning 3 Limited/Grand Cherokees, the Liberty is a solid disappointment. The gas gauge and oil lights go off/on randomly. There is a wheel rub noise at low speeds. The dealer cant fix it.Chrysler doesnt care. The seat sits 2 inches too high and doesnt adjust. The door locks are right where you want to rest your arm. The Sirius radio is static prone.

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  Liberty Lemon - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By Rob - May 31 - 1:06 pm

  This vehicle has had so much replaced on it that its hard to tell whats original. Both front control arms, all brake components (twice), radio, Hub- locks. This is a vehicle that has been babied since day one and never misses a service appointment. From a reliability stand point, this vehicle is a disaster. All of this before 60K miles....I dont know what were going to do when the warranty is up.

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  Leaks water, Lemon-Beware! - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By J.Nield - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Renegade has water leak discovered with approx.300miles, to many unsuccessful attempts by Chryslers five star dealerships to fix leak. Service depts. quality lacking, anything from "we couldnt find a leak" and they left the carpets soggy to Scratched paint and interior parts damaged (by different service depts.)Chrysler factory reps. unresponsive, Chrysler unresponsive they just take your money and run. Chrysler Finacial is no help just dont miss your payment on your lemon, I wouldnt buy a Liberty or Chrysler.

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  How quickly can you get rid of a Jeep? - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Brunette - March 9 - 8:13 am

  I loved my Jeep up until about 6 months ago. It is the cutest small SUV out there and when I first saw it I just had to have it. Then about a couple of months ago a lot of things started going wrong. Taillight (although not a big deal), then the catalytic converter, then the window regulator in the rear passenger window broke, and finally the icing to the cake, the AC is now broken at the beginning of a hot summer. Ive also had the battery replaced because it became corroded. My outlets and rear wiper started not working and it revs for odd reasons that they "cant figure out". Total gas guzzler as well. Im trying to get rid of this thing fast, but no one is biting for the obvious reasons.

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  15 MPG - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By turblediesel - January 12 - 1:23 pm

  Great torque, fun to drive, BADLY put together, Horrible dealerships and awful service, 15 mpg, engine mount design causes really bad huge vibration at temps below twenty degrees below zero. Warranty is meaningless. FIFTEEN MPG. Horrible, horrible - run screaming into the night and buy a Toyota.

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  Buy a different car - 2011 Jeep Liberty
  By kevin_in_sales - December 24 - 11:02 pm

  I drive this as a company car. It has got to be one of the worst decisions my employer has made. The ride is harsh. The interior is out of the 80s with hard plastic. The transmission seems to be locked into the motor creating a car that wont really coast. It almost seems to be like a 5 speed manual transmission that you can never get out of fourth. The footwell design is horrible and not suited for long excursions. You have to have your foot turned outward to press the gas. There is not space beside the gas pedal on the right side. Really weird and not thought out at all. The worst part right now is that the car will not cool itself within 15 minutes of driving if parked outside.