2012 Jeep Liberty

▲ Better than typical
2012 Jeep Liberty
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Jeep Liberty Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 2000: 6 complaints 2000 2001: 10 complaints 2002: 1808 complaints 2002 2003: 1349 complaints 2004: 1100 complaints 2004 2005: 1118 complaints 2006: 1369 complaints 2006 2007: 703 complaints 2008: 540 complaints 2008 2009: 108 complaints 2010: 195 complaints 2010 2011: 180 complaints 2012: 384 complaints 2012
2012: 384 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20006
200110
20021808
20031349
20041100
20051118
20061369
2007703
2008540
2009108
2010195
2011180
2012384

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 44%

44% of complaints: air bags — 168 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE BEING DRIVEN HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND ROLLED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171208

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2012 JEEP LIBERTY WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED LEFT I FRONT OF ME TO MAKE THEIR RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. MY TRUCK DROVE OVER HI AND ON THE WAY DOWN STRUCK A PARKED CAR AND FLIPPED OVER ON TO ITS HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171124

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30%

30% of complaints: electrical system — 115 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY JEEP HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER FOR OVER 23 SERVICES FROM RECALLS, DEFECTIVE PARTS, ALTERED PARTS, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, REAR END, BRAKING AND MANY MORE ISSUES TO INCLUDE SHARP ITEMS PUSHES THRU SEATS HARMING PEOPLE

NHTSA ODI report, 20231026

ON FRI MAY 11, 2012 8;30 AM .I WAS DRIVING MY JEEP LIBERTY AND NOTICE A STRONG ODOR IN THE VEHICLE THEN I NOTICED A BURNING BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CONTROL PANEL , AS QUICKLY AS I COULD I PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT...

NHTSA ODI report, 20120520

ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 44 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY JEEP HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER FOR OVER 23 SERVICES FROM RECALLS, DEFECTIVE PARTS, ALTERED PARTS, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, REAR END, BRAKING AND MANY MORE ISSUES TO INCLUDE SHARP ITEMS PUSHES THRU SEATS HARMING PEOPLE

NHTSA ODI report, 20231026

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY JEEP HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER FOR OVER 23 SERVICES FROM RECALLS, DEFECTIVE PARTS, ALTERED PARTS, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, REAR END, BRAKING AND MANY MORE ISSUES TO INCLUDE SHARP ITEMS PUSHES THRU SEATS HARMING PEOPLE

NHTSA ODI report, 20231026

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5%

5% of complaints: exterior lighting — 20 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20131021 — PE (closed 20140309)

Jeep Liberty Door Fires

R 20131119 — air bags, electrical system

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, 201

Remedy: 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 Novembe

Campaign 13V282000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140925 — DP (closed 20150724)

Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

I 20170601 — PE (closed 20171225)

Occupant Restraint Controller Failure

R 20171204 — air bags, seats

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V640000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190419 — EA (closed 20240919)

Electrical overstress

I 20190909 — PE (closed 20260225)

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Jeep Liberty — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (168 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (115 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V282000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V640000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2011 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2006 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Jeep Liberty reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Jeep Liberty is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Liberty?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Jeep Liberty have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.