NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 541 owner complaints for the 2008 Jeep Liberty. Most complaints involve electrical system (124) and fuel system, gasoline (95). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. THE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS THAT CONTAIN EXCESS ADHESIVE THAT MAY ALLOW FOR WATER INTRUSION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT AND EVENTUALLY INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION.
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“Twice it’s happened my turned. I went to turn my my key to power to open the doors and the heater went off. The horn started blaring. The windshield wipers came on. They was squirting out windshield fluid and I wasn’t even in the car yet I couldn’t get it to shut off so I got under. I took a fuse out. It turned off and now my car doesn’t run. The first address is my home address at [XXX], and the second one was at the [XXX]. [XXX]”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMERGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE HEAT SHIELD BECAME DETACHED AND WAS ON THE DRIVETRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PORT JEFF CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM, 5130 NESCONSET HWY, PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NY 11776) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,112.”
“Recently driving down the road heard a very loud noice thought i had a tire blowout. It was both Rear lower control arms broken Completely into( very rusty ).It also broke my exhaust and banged up the driveshaft. This is very expensive to repair and could have very well been Deadly. Would like for someone to contact me asap ty”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty 2WD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Liberty 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Liberty 4WD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Liberty 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 541 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (124), fuel system, gasoline (95), structure (85). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2008 Jeep Liberty at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).