Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Jeep Liberty problems
Owners filed 181 complaints about the 2011 Jeep Liberty with NHTSA between Jan 2011 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (42).
Complaints
181
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system42
- Air bags35
- Fuel/propulsion system31
- Engine22
- Structure17
- Service brakes12
- Visibility11
- Power train10
- Suspension6
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Steering5
- Visibility/wiper5
- Seat belts5
- Vehicle speed control5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
9
4
12
17
25
20
24
24
21
7
4
5
3
2
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 25 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
42 reports1 fire1 related recall
“Airbag light is on. Right front passenger door won’t lock or unlock automatically. Left front aux light inop. Not bulb related. Right front aux light goes off when right turn signal is activated.”
Air bags
35 reports8 crashes
“i HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2011 AND BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY OR SOMETIMES STAYING ON DURING TRIP WHETHER A PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT OR NOT. HAD TO INSTALL A NEW MOTOR IN 2025 DUE TO ANTIFREEZE OVERFLOWING INTO ENGINE COMPONENTS APPARENTLY AFTER OVERHEATING EVEN THOUGH GAUGE ON DASH NEVER INDICATED ISSUE. SQUEEKING SOUND WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, CERT MECHANIC INSTALLED FRONT PADS AND ROTORS AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FOR A TOTAL COST OF $620. TRAVELED TO KC (APPX 100 MILES) ONE DAY LATER AND VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING ACCELERATION, STUTTERED AND SEEEMED TO SURGE INTERMITENTLY THEN REAR BRAKE BEGAN LOCKING UP AND SMOKING EXCESSIVELY BEFORE ILLUMINATING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DRAGGIN/LOCKING REAR BRAKE BROKE LOOSE ON DRIVE BACK HOME BUT STILL HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED RAPID MISFIRE ON CYLINDER NO. 1 BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO TRACE CAUSE. RECOMMENDED TAKING TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC AT A COST OF $150 PER HOUR. ALL 3 ISSUES I AM REPORTING ARE APPARENTLY PERVASIVE WITH THIS VEHICLE AS i HAVE READ NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME OR…”
Fuel/propulsion system
31 reports1 crash
“I currently own two of the same year vehicles. They BOTH have the same problem with the ECM. I have also spoken with multiple people who own Jeep vehicles @ the same year. We all seem to have; lifter, Rod knocks, oxygen sensors and ECM that have caused multiple other problems (and severe accidents) due to their malfunctioning. I have had both of my vehicles to licensed mechanics, who have advised me of the same problem. One of the 2011 Jeep Libertys have been owned by me since brand new, the other was bought used. PLEASE PLEASE help us out!!! I have spent so much money trying to repair these vehicles!!! THE ECM & OXYGEN SENSOR need to be recalled!!!”
Engine
22 reports1 fire
“PURCHASED VEHICLE USED IN JANUARY 2020. FIVE DAYS LATER, THE FIRST DTC ILLUMINATED, AND IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE EVER SINCE. SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED THE PURGE VALVE, WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, RADIATOR, ALTERNATOR, PCV VALVE, TENSIONER ASSEMBLY, FRONT BRAKES, LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, DOOR SEALS, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS/LINKS - ALL WITHIN THE FIRST 10,000 MILES. BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS SEIZED AND LOCKED, CAUSING BRAKES TO SMOKE AND OVERHEAT, DISCOVERED EXHAUST LEAK ONLY AFTER DEVELOPING SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. EVEN AFTER ALL OF THAT, THE VEHICLE STILL SOUNDS AWFUL AND HAS SERIOUS PERFORMANCE ISSUES. I FULLY EXPECT THAT THE ENGINE WILL BE TOAST ANY DAY, AND I STILL HAVE ALMOST THREE YEARS WORTH OF PAYMENTS LEFT ON IT.”
Structure
17 reports1 fire
“HI THE MAIN CONCERN AND PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS THE SKY SLIDER! MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE ALL AROUND. IT FAILED ME RIGHT AWAY! AFTER ON INCIDENT WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE SKY SLIDER JUST CAME OFF!!! IT ALMOST CAUSED MULTIPLY ACCIDENTS! YOU CAN'T EVEN FIND THE PARTS SINCE JEEP STOP MAKING KNOWING THAT THE MESSED UP !”
Service brakes
12 reports3 crashes
“MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND I WAS DRIVING ON A THREE LANE STREET WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 45 MPH WHEN THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM SUDDENLY SEIZED. THE BRAKES REMAINED ENGAGED AND THE ONLY WAY I COULD DRIVE MY CAR WAS TO PUT IT IN REVERSE, THEN NEUTRAL THEN DRIVE. MY ENTIRE DRIVE HOME I COULD HEAR THE BRAKES AND WHENEVER I HAD TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.