DecodedCarsJeep Liberty
5 model years from 2008 to 2012, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2008–2012
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Latest engines
- 3.7L 6-cyl
- Best MPG
- 18–19 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 7 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2012 (296)
The 2012 Liberty in brief
The 2012 Jeep Liberty is a SUV - offered with a 3.7L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,127 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 14% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 296 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
The Jeep Liberty has 5 model years in our data, from 2008 to 2012.
Its most efficient year was 2008 at 19 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 18 to 19 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (245), air bags (202), unknown or other (141).
2011 has the most recalls (3); all years together count 7 campaigns and 856 owner complaints.
How the 2008 Liberty compares
The 2008 Jeep Liberty is a SUV - offered with a 3.7L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,127 lb.
2012 Liberty pros & cons
Full 2012 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 14% below the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG.
Show all 5 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 176.8 in | 4,127 lb | Not rated | 2 | 296 |
| 2011 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 176.8 in | 4,127 lb | Not rated | 3 | 139 |
| 2010 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 176.8 in | 4,127 lb | Not rated | 2 | 124 |
| 2009 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 18 MPG | 176.8 in | 4,127 lb | Not rated | 0 | 55 |
| 2008 | 3.7L 6-cyl | 19 MPG | 176.8 in | 4,127 lb | Not rated | 2 | 242 |
Alternatives to the 2012 Liberty
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | 23 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Kia Sportage | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Jeep. How we calculate this →