DecodedCars2008 Jeep Liberty
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Sport/North Edition/Limit
- Engines
- 3.7L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 19 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 176.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,127 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Jeep Liberty is a SUV - offered with a 3.7L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,127 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 1% better than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Sport/North Edition/Limit | 176.8 in | 72.4 in | 71.3 in | 105.9 in | 61 / 60.2 in | 4,127 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 19 | +1% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Liberty 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -5% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Liberty 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | +3% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Liberty 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -2% | $3,950 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Jeep Liberty under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Jeep Liberty (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2008 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 13 |
| 2008 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2008 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Subaru Forester | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (2)
Structure · Apr 3, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V121000 · 62,578 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor · Nov 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V550000 · 12,027 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A FAILING OR INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM WILL REDUCE A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Not every 2008 Jeep Liberty is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Jeep Liberty buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 78 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 32 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Visibility/Wiper — 30 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Jeep Liberty. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Liberty years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Liberty | 18 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 296 |
| 2011 Liberty | 18 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 139 |
| 2010 Liberty | 18 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 124 |
| 2009 Liberty | 18 | 176.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 55 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Jeep. How we calculate this →