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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  my first jeep - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By c dartez - August 15 - 10:00 am

  very well pleased after 25000 miles on dry wet or snow pavement. excellent fit and finish,and i find it a quite vehicle, but drinks the gas

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  Amazing vehicle - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Anthony D - August 8 - 9:33 pm

  Ive had this vehicle since August of 2003 and can only say its INCREDIBLE. Ive only had minor problems with it, a couple sensors that cost me about $35 each ( using my own CODE reader I got on ebay for $10 and finding the problem myself ) and installed in myself minutes. Fan belt started going at 19000, replaced free. Replaced muffler and front brakes so far at 100,000 and did ALL maintenance at the proper time. Doing this has kept it MINT, engine is almost new looking also as very little dirt gets in there. Since I installed a Hydrogen system ( 3 month process ) Im getting about 5mpg better than before so no reason to get a smaller vehicle for Gas sake. LOVE IT.

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  155,000 - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By Alicia - July 27 - 6:03 am

  I love my Jeep Liberty but I too have been without air going on 3 years now. For me it also would take over $1000.00 to fix and since it cost nothing to roll my windows down, I have not replaced the air. Other than that, I have had NO PROBLEMS at all and love my little jeep! So all of you with less than 100,000 dont worry at all you still have plenty more to go! I bought my Jeep brand new in fall of 01 when they just released the 02s for sale and I am not very good about oil changes and drive hard all the time and still no worries.

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  Jiberty a Jeep/Liberty - 2002 Jeep Liberty
  By edward marble - July 21 - 10:00 am

  The Liberty is fun to drive and easy to handle around town. Only down side poor gas mileage, otherwise very happy with this vehicle.

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  Love my jeep - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By mariacuts - July 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car!!!! The style of it is great...It rides great...The four wheel drive option to use it or not is wonderful...It rides great in the snow...My only disappointment is it is terrible on gas...I get about 13 miles to the gallon and the sticker said 21 mpg....

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  Good Solid Jeep - 2010 Jeep Liberty
  By pfinnegan - July 7 - 4:31 am

  I bought a Jeep Liberty Limited in June 2010 to replace my 1994 Cherokee Sport. My old Cherokee had nothing - no power anything. I got about everything on this Jeep including the touch screen stereo with GPS and sub-woofer. I like the ride, the way it looks and it is great in snow or on back roads in the mountains. I was disappointed in the power it has when it has to go up long mountain roads. Other than that, no problems at 22,000. One bit of advice, run non-ethanol gas for better power and 10% better mileage. On the interstate, I get 22-23 mpg at 70 with the good stuff.

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  Love my Liberty Hate the Transmission - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By Art hound - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my liberty in Feburary of 2003 and have had major transmission problems. I love the smooth ride and the powerful engine. I like to beat all the wranglers off the line! :) The interior is super comfortable and I havent had any troubles with cargo space. The grocery bag hooks are a neat feature.

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  Solid - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By JimmyH - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Very fun to drive and a very solid feeling

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  Great at first - 2003 Jeep Liberty
  By htanner - June 24 - 7:22 am

  I bought my 03 Jeep Liberty used. It was only a year old and I loved it! I wasnt concerned with gas milage back then so the average 19 mpg highway didnt bother me. Drove great for the first 5 years except the blower motor for the heater went out several times. In the last few years of owning it I started having problems. First my water pump went and then the front drive shaft blew up. I went without a drive shaft for a little while (no 4 wheel drive for me) until winter and then installed a new one. That one lasted 2 uses and then blew up as well. I got one more installed and that one lasted 1 use. I heard that this was a problem in these models. I have since moved on.

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  liberty sport 4wd - 2004 Jeep Liberty
  By mars99 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  This is the first jeep i have owned and Im super glad I own it. It rides, pulls, and drives great. I would say this is the best suv iv drove.