The Jeep Liberty made its first appearance in 2002, and intended to find favour with an urban-adventurer type looking for a machine with plenty of ground clearance, moderate towing capacity and four-wheel drive capability.
Featuring a Command-Trac transfer case with low-range gearing and ‘shift on the fly’ four-wheel drive, Liberty was an ideal machine for all-terrain, all-weather use.
The Select-Track transfer case, also available, added a ‘full-time’ four-wheel drive range which could be selected pre-emptively in nasty weather and act like an All Wheel Drive (AWD) system.
Four- and six-cylinder engines were available, as were manual and automatic transmissions — depending on the year and model in question. Models with the V6 got 210 horsepower from 3.7 litres of displacement, while the standard 2.4-litre four-cylinder made 150 ponies. A turbo-diesel engine was available briefly as well.
Ideal for a small family or active couple, the Liberty was updated to its current iteration for the 2008 model year.
What Owners Like
Styling, a sturdy and planted ride and decent handling were typically highly-rated by most first-generation Liberty owners. Visibility and off-road capability were also praised.
What Owners Hate
Comfort was rated somewhat poorly by many Liberty owners, mainly due to cramped footwells and limited at-hand interior storage. Rear seat legroom is also said to be limited. Other owners report higher-than-expected gas mileage with the V6 engine.
Common Issues
Liberty looks solid where reliability is concerned, though several checks will be mandatory in finding a healthy used model.
Fully check all on-board electronics and accessories for proper operation, including the stereo and keyless remote system. Power window failure looks fairly common and expensive to repair, so double check that all windows open and close smoothly and easily. Locks should also be checked for proper operation.
Jeep’s 3.7-litre 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.
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 decision too — unless the mileage of the last full fluid-change is known. This is also a good time to have your mechanic check for leaks.
A check for the performance of several safety-related recall jobs is another good idea — as the Liberty was subjected to several of them.
The Verdict
Like many Jeep models in the used market, 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.
