DecodedCars2012 Jeep Liberty
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Sport/North Edition/Limit
- Engines
- 3.7L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 176.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,127 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
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.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
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.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Liberty — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Liberty →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Sport/North Edition/Limit | 176.8 in | 72.4 in | 71.3 in | 105.9 in | 61 / 60.2 in | 4,127 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -14% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Liberty 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -11% | $3,950 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Jeep Liberty.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Jeep Liberty (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 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 |
Recalls (2)
Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint · Oct 10, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V640000 · 363,930 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
- Risk
- If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
Air Bags · Jul 2, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V282000 · 442,320 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
Not every 2012 Jeep Liberty is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Jeep Liberty buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 120 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 92 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 41 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 56,899 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Jeep Liberty. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Liberty years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Liberty | 18 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 139 |
| 2010 Liberty | 18 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 124 |
| 2009 Liberty | 18 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 55 |
| 2008 Liberty | 19 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 242 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Jeep. How we calculate this →