What years of Jeep Liberty should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2005 and 2006 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 86 and 100, the two worst among the 8 model years covered.

What is the best year for the Jeep Liberty?

The 2010 Jeep Liberty is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 14 and only 2 recall campaigns.

Why does the 2006 Jeep Liberty have so many complaints?

The 2006 model recorded 1,372 complaints, the most of any Liberty year, led by Visibility & Wipers issues (31% share) and Fuel System problems (27% share), and it carries 9 recall campaigns, the highest count in the lineup.

Is the 2009 Jeep Liberty a good year?

2009 is rated Good with a complaint index of 0, but the verdict is capped at Good because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are considered less complete.

Does the Jeep Liberty have fuel tank recalls?

Yes. 2005 and 2006 models are part of a recall covering 2002-2007 Liberty vehicles whose fuel tanks were at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.

Jeep Liberty Best and Worst Years (2005–2012)

Avoid the 2005 and 2006 Jeep Liberty, which rank worst with complaint indexes of 86 and 100 and carry 5 and 9 recall campaigns each. The 2010 Liberty is the best year with a complaint index of just 14, while 2008, 2009, and 2011 also earn Good verdicts.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006 Best 2010

Model years: 8; 2005–2012
NHTSA complaints: 4,605
Recall campaigns: 20
Crashes reported: 199
Fires reported: 84
Top problem area: Fuel System

Liberty Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Jeep Liberty problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	86	1,118	73	27	5	Fuel System	—	—
2006	Avoid	100	1,372	40	19	9	Visibility & Wipers	—	—
2007	Caution	71	703	25	12	6	Visibility & Wipers	—	—
2008	Good	43	541	11	4	4	Fuel System	18	—
2009	Good	0	108	2	2	0	Electrical System	17.5	—
2010	Best	14	197	13	4	2	Electrical System	17.5	—
2011	Good	29	181	16	2	3	Electrical System	17.5	—
2012	Caution	57	385	19	14	2	Airbags	17.5	3★

Liberty years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Jeep Liberty Index 100 · 1,372 complaints · 9 recalls

The 2006 Liberty has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, from 1,372 complaints and 9 recall campaigns, the most of any Liberty year. Visibility & Wipers complaints lead at 31% share with a median failure mileage of 45,000. Fuel System problems follow at 27% share, tied to the same rear-impact fuel tank rupture recall as 2005. Owners also reported electrical fires starting at very low mileage, some while the vehicle was parked, and a steering wheel that detached from the column due to a missing screw. NHTSA lists 40 crashes and 19 fires for this year.

2006 visibility & wipers problems →2006 fuel system problems →2006 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

2005 Jeep Liberty Index 86 · 1,118 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2005 Liberty logged 1,118 complaints with a complaint index of 86, the second-worst of the model. Fuel System issues dominate at 37% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 71,000 miles, tied to a recall for plastic fuel tanks that could rupture and leak in rear impacts. Owners also reported Suspension, Wheels & Tires problems (26% share, 83,250 median miles), linked to a recall for rear lower control arms that could fracture from corrosion and cause loss of control. NHTSA recorded 73 crashes, 27 fires, and 5 deaths for this year. Five recall campaigns apply to the 2005 model.

2005 fuel system problems →2005 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2005 structure & body problems →

Most common Jeep Liberty problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Fuel System1,242 (27%)
Visibility & Wipers879 (19%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires669 (15%)
Electrical System666 (14%)
Structure & Body619 (13%)
Engine403 (9%)
Airbags370 (8%)
Other312 (7%)
Transmission & Powertrain302 (7%)
Brakes244 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of Jeep Liberty should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2005 and 2006 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 86 and 100, the two worst among the 8 model years covered.
What is the best year for the Jeep Liberty?: The 2010 Jeep Liberty is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 14 and only 2 recall campaigns.
Why does the 2006 Jeep Liberty have so many complaints?: The 2006 model recorded 1,372 complaints, the most of any Liberty year, led by Visibility & Wipers issues (31% share) and Fuel System problems (27% share), and it carries 9 recall campaigns, the highest count in the lineup.
Is the 2009 Jeep Liberty a good year?: 2009 is rated Good with a complaint index of 0, but the verdict is capped at Good because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are considered less complete.
Does the Jeep Liberty have fuel tank recalls?: Yes. 2005 and 2006 models are part of a recall covering 2002-2007 Liberty vehicles whose fuel tanks were at risk of failure and leakage in certain rear impacts.