Which Jeep Liberty Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)

When it comes to automobiles, Jeep is one of the world’s most widely recognized brands. In 2002, Jeep launched the Liberty, a five-seater SUV. Upgrades and redesigns were made to this model until it was discontinued in 2012 by the manufacturer.

A new Liberty model emerged in 2008, with substantial differences from prior years. It didn’t last as long as most Jeep Liberty models, so which model years should you avoid?

Do not worry, I am here to assist you in making the greatest selections. There are a few years of Jeep Liberty that should be avoided, but there are many others that work well. Find out everything there is to know about the Jeep Liberty before making a purchasing decision!

Jeep Liberty Years to Avoid (List of Years)

It is still possible to find a Liberty from the 10 years it was in production on the used-car market. When the Jeep Liberty was in production, sales never surpassed 100,000 vehicles per year.

Despite its popularity, the Liberty was not without its flaws. Be aware of the issues that were suffered by the numerous Liberty models if you’re considering purchasing a used one.

If you’re looking for a Jeep Liberty, here are three models to steer clear of:

  • 2002 Jeep Liberty
  • 2004 Jeep Liberty
  • 2012 Jeep Liberty

Compared to other similar models, these Liberty models have had significantly more issues reported and numerous recalls.

Jeep Liberty is a great vehicle if you get the proper year model. If you avoid the Jeep Liberty models from 2002, 2004, and 2012, you should have few problems.

What Makes These Jeep Liberty Years Worth Avoiding?

Jeep 2002 Year Problems:

The Jeep Liberty was first sold to the general public in 2002. The 2002 Jeep Liberty was a popular model with a devoted following, but it should be avoided if at all possible.

That specific Jeep has a problem with its airbag and seatbelt systems. In rare situations, the airbags fail to deploy in the event of an accident. The jeep’s fluid leaking is also a big issue. Additional information, crash test results were below average in the back of these vehicles, which caused fires.

Furthermore, the 2002 year may encounter the following issues:

  • Check Engine Light/Misfire
  • The Power Window Motor May Fail Due to Regulator Assembly.
  • The Sky Slider Sunroof may be impossible to open.
  • Due to a wireless control module malfunction, the engine will not start.
  • Differential Pinion Seal/Transfer Case Leaks are a common problem in the front and rear.

In conclusion, this is unquestionably one of the Jeep Liberty years to avoid.

 Jeep 2004 Year Problems:

Aside from early window failure and defective ball joints, the 2003 Jeep Liberty performed better than the 2002 model. Sadly, the 2004 model brought even more issues to the table, and the vehicle quickly became known for its numerous problems and safety recalls as a whole.

The 2004 model had the same problems as the 2002 and 2003 models. Ball joints in the lower suspension are defective, and the windows will break early in a crash.

The safety enhancements made by Jeep were minimal, and the car still lacked the quality that other automakers like General Motors and Toyota had achieved.

Due to a lack of available parts, many recalls for the 2004 model were more expensive than those for the 2002 and 2003 models.

The rear control arms on 239,000 2004 models were found to be defective, which prompted a recall. 

You should avoid buying a 2004 model year despite of their more visually appealing option packages.

Jeep 2012 Year Problems:

The Jeep Liberty was produced from model year 2012 until it was phased out in 2013. The Jeep Liberty was rebadged as the Jeep Cherokee in 2012, and both vehicles used the same underpinnings.

Despite the fact that the Liberty was discontinued in 2012, many of the same issues that plagued previous models were still present. In reality, the Jeep Liberty’s 2012 model year is one of the poorest in the model’s history.

The 2012 model has a number of issues that you should be aware of. First and foremost, the suspension issues from earlier models are still in effect. In other words, if the vehicle is no longer covered by a warranty, its ball joints and control arms are at risk of failing before the 50,000-mile mark, necessitating expensive repairs.

The 2012 model had transmission problems as well, and because of the huge decline in sales, it had to be replaced. The gears in an automatic gearbox are known to be slow and have a history of lagging and breaking early.

Transmission fluid leaks and needs to be changed more frequently than in other vehicles to avoid premature component wear.

As a result, while achieving better crash test results in 2012, the car was clearly lacking in safety features.

Occasionally, airbags failed to deploy and the airbag light warning was defective in some situations.

So, if you’re in the market for a new Jeep, steer clear of the 2012 model year!

As a bonus information, it appears that few owners are dissatisfied with their 2006 Liberty. This model was widely criticized by users. Window regulators were the most common issue for consumers.

Many of these owners’ Jeeps had fewer than 50,000 miles on them when they started having problems, so they still thought of them as being in good shape.

Which Years are Safe to Buy Used?

As a result of several complaints about the Liberty, the 2009 model is still a great option for those who want to buy one of the vehicles. It looks better than its predecessor, and it’s one of the few vehicles that fared well in both safety and fuel economy.

The 2009 Jeep Liberty received better safety ratings than the 2002-2007 Liberty models. Indeed, it was among the top performers in its field. The square Jeep styling of prior Jeep models was revived for the second generation of Jeep Liberty models.

Along with GPS, side airbags, Bluetooth, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a host of other standard amenities that were missing from the first-generation Liberty models, the 2009 Jeep Liberty also featured all of the above.

The 2009 model received the exceptional five-star ANCAP safety certification and offers a smooth ride while delivering great performance.

Conclusion

If you obtain the right year, the Jeep Liberty is a fantastic vehicle. To avoid any issues, it’s best to steer clear of the Jeep Liberty years I’ve highlighted.

To be on the safe side, I urge that you inspect each vehicle to confirm that it has been properly maintained and that all recall information is current.

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