Comfort is one of the lower-rated Liberty attributes, due to the cramped wheel-wells and lump in the passenger side floor necessitated by the transfer case beneath. Most wish for more interior storage compartments for items like a wallet or cell phone, and many owners report heavy fuel consumption with the V6 engine unless care is exercised to keep the revs down.

Reliability looks fairly solid, with no serious problems coming up frequently. Some fairly random looking electrical glitches are reported- so be sure to check proper operation of all accessories on a test-drive.

Power window failure looks common and expensive to repair, so be sure that all windows open and close smoothly and easily.

With the hood open, have a listen to the engine. The 3.7 liter V6 is known to be reliable and relatively trouble-free, though it may feel hard to start at times due to a bad fuel-pump valve. Additionally, chirping noises could be the result of a belt pulley that needs a different, tighter belt.


A good check beneath for signs of abuse or neglect by the Liberty's previous owner(s) is a wise choice with any machine like this. Have a mechanic give the floor-pan and suspension a good look over, noting any signs of careless off-roading that may have resulted in dents or scrapes to the underbelly.

Having all differential fluids and transfer-case fluids changed upon purchase is a wise choice too, unless the mileage of the last fluid-change is known. This is also a good time to check for leaks.

A check for the performance of recalls is another great idea- as the Liberty has a lengthy list of them. Some deal with the possibility of engine fires caused by the location of fuel injector wiring or a possible loss of steering caused by defective ball-joints.

Additionally, a few 'loss of control' related recalls were issued to address potential software issues with the brakes and engine that could cause rear-wheel lockup and a dangerous skid. Your dealership can look for the performance of maintenance work with the Jeep's VIN number.

Like many former Jeep models, a fairly simple powertrain doesn't deliver class-leading performance or mileage- though it proves reliable for the long haul and well-suited to its application.

Liberty's tough construction, transfer-case four wheel drive system and plentiful ground clearance signal its engineer's intent to create a machine of above-average off-road capability. If that's important to you, Liberty should be near the top of your used SUV list.


Photo Credit : Chrysler