CarComplaints.com Notes: On August 16th, 2012 Jeep stopped production of the the Jeep Liberty, marking the end of a troublesome journey for the SUV.

All in all, the 2012 Liberty actually excels off-road, but since 99% of drivers never take this thing off pavement, that becomes somewhat of a moot point. The Liberty suffers from the worst fuel economy in its class (16/22 MPG) and offers an uncomfortable ride with suspect braking ability.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,928 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Jeep Liberty engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Jeep Liberty Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #24

Oct 252018

Liberty

  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a pending file: 11151151; engine fire. I took a quick survey of complaints on the NHTSA site and found 23 other Jeep Liberty records from 2006-2012 describing valve failures and engine fires, which indicates a design flaw and need for investigation. Nhsta should also look at model years 2002-2005, Dodge nitro, and other vehicles that used the mopar 3.7 engine. The rate of failure and fire points to a design flaw that must be rectified

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #23

Oct 252018

Liberty

  • 82,000 miles
Driving freeway speed, engine lost power, electronic throttle control light flashed, then engine light; pulled onto shoulder, raised hood, observed fire at valve cover/wiring harness. Mechanic's subsequent inspection revealed valve/rocker arm failure resulted in punctured valve cover that released oil onto hot engine resulting in fire. Rocker arm failures are common on mopar 3.7 engine - google the term and many hits will appear. This is unacceptable for an engine with 82,000 miles that was serviced regularly according to manufacturer recommendations. New engine now required.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #22

Nov 102017

Liberty 6-cyl

  • 81,150 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that heat failed to blow out of the air vents inside the vehicle, even though the blower was working. The vehicle was taken to ed voyles Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (844-715-5921, located at 789 cobb pkwy SE, marietta, ga 30060) where it was diagnosed that the blower module and the resister module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred a year later. The contact called the same dealer and was iniformed that someone would call back. The contact was not called back. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 81,150. Consumer stated although the radiator was replaced the radiator started leaking.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #21

Jul 032018

Liberty 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have owned the vehicle for about 10 months three times in the last 3 months while accelerating the accelerator has become locked at full throttle. I pounded the floor frantically to get it to release or become unstuck while applying the brakes. Fortunately I haven't killed anyone or been killed myself. This is a serious issue I'm deeply concerned about even driving the vehicle. What can I do.

- Norton, MA, USA

problem #20

Jul 092018

Liberty

  • 86,000 miles
Well serviced vehicle with 88,000 miles. Driving on a residential street when smoke began coming out of climate vents. Noted engine temperature gauge at normal. Stopped the car and turned off. Fire noted under the hood near the windshield. Within minutes, the car became fully engulfed and burned completely before fire department could arrive.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #19

May 092018

Liberty

  • 44,509 miles
Dealer keeps saying faulty coils, 4 attempts now, engine shuttering like it wants to shift into a gear while keeping a steady speed!

- Northboro, MA, USA

problem #18

Aug 142017

Liberty

  • 80,180 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty 4X4. While driving out of the parking spot, the contact noticed that the vehicle leaked oil. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the oil pan rotted out and the oil pan needed to be replaced. The dealer (495 Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 732 rogers St, lowell, MA 01852) and the manufacturer were contacted, but neither were able to provide assistance. The failure mileage was 80,180.

- Willmington, MA, USA

problem #17

Jan 052018

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • 69,400 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Jeep Liberty. While driving 60 mph, the contact was alerted by another motorist to evacuate the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed that vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,400.

- Rowley, MA, USA

problem #16

Dec 142017

Liberty

  • 43,600 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact noticed a puddle of oil underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to boardwalk Honda (6807 tilton rd, egg harbor township, NJ 08234, phone: (609) 641-1900) where it was diagnosed that there was a slight crack in the oil tank and needed to be repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a Jeep dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to a Chrysler dealer where there would be a diagnostic testing fee. The approximate failure mileage was 43,600.

- Pine Hill, NJ, USA

problem #15

Sep 232017

Liberty

  • 36,000 miles
Severe corrosion on both oil pan and transmission pan. This vehicle is less than 5 years old with only 36,000 miles. Loss of either fluid could cause engine - transmission failure on a highway leading to an unsafe situation.

- Bohemia, NY, USA

problem #14

Jan 172017

Liberty

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Faulty tipm, front window washer not functioning, keyless entry issues, engine starting issues, etc.

- Cumberland, MD, USA

problem #13

Dec 222016

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
I have had many problems with this vehicle. Apx 50K miles the water pump blew. Had it replaced - then apx 75K miles I experienced jump starts - took it to the dealer who was only doing oil changes that day. Took it to aaa repair center - they did a pressure test - found nothing wrong. Experienced the jump again - took it to a Firestone mechanic who did a pressure test and "found nothing wrong". the Jeep would not start on thanksgiving - had it towed to the aaa center where I explained what had happened. They discovered that the head had blown and was now warped & camshaft broken at considerable cost, they fixed it, but now I have a P0340 code (camshaft sensor). I let the vehicle sit overnight. It seemed to start fine. After 40 miles of highway driving the oil light came on briefly, before shutting off.

- Hazlet, NJ, USA

problem #12

Sep 262016

Liberty

  • 79,354 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 20 mph, the temperature gauge became very high and caused the air conditioning to blow hot air. The overheating warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The transmission was replaced. When the contact retrieved the vehicle, the engine hesitated and vibrated. A week later, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that one of the engine cylinders needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that, based on the dealer's diagnosis, the failure was a maintenance issue. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,354.

- West Nyack, NE, USA

problem #11

Oct 122016

Liberty

  • 62,000 miles
At 48K miles engine started having multiple cylinder missfires, too lean then too rich codes for cyclinders while traveling on the highway, brought to dealer, was charged $148 to replace O2 sensor. Drove vehicle out of the lot, and within five miles from dealer, experienced same trouble. After one and half weeks at the dealer, they had replaced 2 PCM modules, O2 sensors and then the catalytic converter. Vehicle was driven no less than 3 months and 5K driven miles after work was completed the engine started failing again with the same issue, stranding by disabled spouse 1400 miles away from home. Dealer now wants to remove engine head and rebuilt engine. Once was brought to the dealer, service agent told my spouse was advised that no transportation was hoping to be provided to her, since she was traveling with her service animal "a dog". even after they were advised of ada laws, and was told to drive the Jeep and have it towed back to the dealer at our expense. When I contacted doge Chrysler customer service, case number 30253034 I was told that they can't provide any assistance until the dealer diagnosed the issue, Jeep have been at the dealer for a week now, and service advise it sayd that is going to take another 2 days before they get it in the shop to look at it..

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

problem #10

Aug 182016

Liberty

  • 37,750 miles
Interior lights in dash flashed on and off, radio went off and came back on. Upon stopping for traffic light engine stalled, put car in park restarted car. This happened twice today(8-18-2016). Interior lights flashing on and off has happened 5 or 6 times in the last 3 or 4 days, stalling has only happened today.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #9

Dec 192013

Liberty

  • 54,000 miles
I bought my Jeep Liberty jet in Feb 2012 brand new out of the show room. I am a military vet and wanted a reliable car to drive in for my pcs moves. I started having vehicle shakes in 2013 for my 2012 Jeep Liberty jet. In December 2013 I took it to milton reuben Chrysler dealership for check engine light. I was also informed there was a safety recall on it that I was unaware of. The vehicle was in the shop for over a month for cylinder 3,4,7 misfires. The heads were replaced. In August 2014, not even a year after my vehicle was in the shop I had to return for shakes. My child was in the car at the time it was shaking violently. I called Chrysler, not the dealership, to complain of this safety issue and for long term help solving the issue. They basically said I was on my own and the dealership didn't want the vehicle as a trade in because of its lengthy wrap sheet. They replaced cylinder 3 and 7 again. I thought the worst was over until August 29, 2015 the shakes came back. I took it to dealership and they gave me a bill for $1100 for cylinder 5 misfire. The vehicle has less than 80,000 miles on a 100,000 mile warranty. It has been in the shop every year since we have had it for major work. The dealership doesn't want it and Chrysler is not taking responsibility for the fact they built a faulty vehicle. Every 20,000 miles I am having issues.

- Powder Springs , GA, USA

problem #8

Aug 232015

Liberty 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,169 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. While driving 20-30 mph, the vehicle stalled. A few seconds after the failure, the engine made an abnormal noise and restarted independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,169. MA 10/6 updated 3/28/2016

- Marion Center, PA, USA

problem #7

Jul 182015

Liberty

  • 38,900 miles
I started off by driving down hill on highway 40. All vehicle lights lit up on dashboard, enging stalled, no brakes or steering. I shifted the vehicle to neutral and was able to come to a stop on the shoulder of the road when the vehicle started up the next hill. No turns, the road was straight. Turned the key off and restarted the vehicle, and the Jeep ran fine. Later that day in a parking lot, the same thing happened. Started the vehicle, started to pull out of the parking lot, all of the dashboard lights came on, the engine stalled and had no brakes or steering. Placed the vehicle in neutral until the Jeep came to a stop, turned the key off, then restarted the vehicle and the Jeep ran ok until we got home.

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

problem #6

May 032015

Liberty

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. While driving approximately 20 mph, the engine warning light illuminated and there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle ignited into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire and a police and a fire report were filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

- Kansis City , MO, USA

problem #5

Dec 032014

Liberty 6-cyl

  • 21,000 miles
On 3 different occasions, first one driving on 95 from New York on December 3, 2014, I put on cruise control and car accelerated out of my control, brakes didn't work and I had to cross over lanes and tried everything to stop car, drove in to a ditch and car died, wouldn't restart for hours. The second time was March 6 2015 in Florida, I was just driving along and the car just got out from under me at a very fast speed and I couldn't stop it, I threw it into park and the car died and the ignition just kept doing a clicking noise, left it over night because it wouldn't start, had to have it flatbed away, the car started the next day"? now on April 3rd 2015 it happened when I was going 3 miles an hour in my parking lot and the Jeep accelerated and I drove straight between 2 parked cars and over a handicap sign to stop, now it has been sitting since Friday in to a parking spot that my neighbors helped me push it in to, I could of been killed or hurt others. This car is in pristine condition, well maintained and low mileage...who can help me??"

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

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