NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 109 owner complaints for the 2009 Jeep Liberty. Most complaints involve structure (20) and electrical system (19). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.
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.
“snapped rear control arm. I own this vehicle in a salt state. no issues prior, it literally rusted and snapped with myself and my 5 year old in the car, causing me to lose control and almost crash.”
“ON FRIDAY, 07.07.2017, AS I WAS DRIVING INTO A TURN LANE FROM THE HWY, I HAD SLOWED WAY DOWN FOR TRAFFIC THEN PICKED UP SPEED SLIGHTLY, NOT EVEN 10 MPH, TO FOLLOW CARS IN THE TURN LANE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR BECAME SLUGGISH AND THE JEEP CAME TO A STOP. AS I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN THERE WAS A VERY LOUD POP FROM UNDER THE HOOD. EVERYTHING QUIT, THE ENGINE, THE ELECTRIC, THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN OVER WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN OR THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS. JUST BEFORE THIS HAPPENED THE ENGINE LIGHT AND, WHAT I FOUND OUT LATER, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS CONFUSED AT WHAT JUST HAPPENED. THINKING WHAT I SAW NEXT WAS STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE JEEP WAS STEAM I POPPED THE HOOD TO GO LOOK. THERE WAS TRAFFIC ALL AROUND ON THE HWY. ONCE I OPENED THE HOOD I FOUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE, BACK AGAINST THE FIREWALL BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING COLUMN, BEHIND THE BATTERY. THE FIRE GOT BIGGER ONCE THE HOOD WAS OPEN, IT SPREAD VERY FAST. PEOPLE IN OTHER CARS WERE YELLING AND A GUY STOPPED TO HELP ME AND TOLD ME TO GET AWAY FROM THE JEEP BECAUSE IT WAS GAS THAT WAS BURNING. THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED YET BY THE TIME THEY GOT…”
“Fuel Spit Back During Refueling. When refueling at any gas pump, flammable fuel almost always spits back out of the filler hose, down the side of the vehicle and pools on ground by the tire. There has been a recall issued for the same issue and same vehicle model: Jeep Liberty KK, which runs from 2008-12. However, the recall only covers year 2008.”
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 Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-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 |
1 safety recall 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 109 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (20), electrical system (19), fuel/propulsion system (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Jeep Liberty at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).