2011 Jeep Liberty Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Liberty, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical4218.8%
- Fuel system3515.7%
- Airbags3415.2%
- Engine219.4%
- Body & structure177.6%
- Visibility146.3%
- Brakes125.4%
- Driver assistance104.5%
- Powertrain (other)83.6%
- Suspension62.7%
- Seat belts62.7%
- Other / unspecified52.2%
- Steering52.2%
- Exterior lighting41.8%
- Transmission20.9%
- Interior & seats20.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
AIRBAG LIGHT ON AIRBAG MAKING NOISE DOORS AND WINDOWS UNLOCK ON ITS OWN STEERING WHEEL
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Everytime I get gas the full tank spits gas back at you which gets everywhere drips down the vehicle on to the ground. Very dangerous.
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!!!
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The airbag light came on and the computer indicated it's the clock spring. I know that this is a safety issue as I've had the same issue with a previous car in which it was recalled.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the horn was pressed; however, the horn failed to function as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
OIL PAN RUSTING OUT AROUND DRAIN PLUG. OIL LEAKING.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Upon inspection, significant underbody rust
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 !
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE SKY SLIDER ROOF. THE CONTACTED INDICATED THAT THE SKY SLIDER WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALEANA DODGE JEEP (14375 S. TAMIAMI TRL, FORT MYERS, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SKY SLIDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER SUPPLIED THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED AND PARTS WERE HANGING LOOSELY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SUN ROOF ALSO LEAKED WHEN IT RAINED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIELDS DODGE RAM (2800 PATRIOT BLVD, GLEN VIEW, IL 84744) AND REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, SEATBELTS FAILED ON SECOND IMPACT, AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER MY HEAD BROKE WIND SHIELD. CAR ACCELERATED IN ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE AND ACCELERATED FASTER INTO A CONCRETE WALL. ALL ON CLOSED CIRCUIT VIDEO I AM LEFT WITH A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, DISABLED *TT *TR
10/20/17 DRIVING 5 MINUTES & BRAKES LOCKED - JEEP WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL - AFTER 20 MINUTES JEEP RAN NORMALLY FOR 3 WEEKS; 11/9/17 DRIVING GRANDBABIES HOME - GOING 40 ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY - BRAKES AGAIN LOCK UP JEEP CAME TO A STOP & WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD AND WOULD NOT REVERSE - ESC INDICATOR LIGHT ON, ESC OFF APPEARED IN THE ODOMETER AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON - THE SMELL OF BRAKES WAS OVERWHELMING - CALLED AAA FOR A TOW - AFTER AN HOUR - ALL SORTS OF CREAKING NOISES COULD BE HEARD - ? BRAKES RELEASING - WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE JEEP - CANCELLED AAA - DROVE JEEP IMMEDIATELY TO MY MECHANIC - AFTER 2 DAYS HE COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS NOR COULD THE ISSUE BE DUPLICATED ; CALLED THE JEEP DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM ON ESSINGTON AVE IN PHILADELPHIA - THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE - TO BRING THE JEEP IN TO BE "DIAGNOSED" FOR $115.00 - WHEN ASKED FOR A LOANER - THEY TOLD ME I'D HAVE TO PAY FOR A RENTAL - THERE ARE 55,000 MILES ON THE JEEP
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Always had Transmissions / power train problems with it until now my mechanic and his Transmissions specialist said that I need a new transmission. They and all other mechanics and people who owned these jeeps or known people who owned these jeeps said they have major Transmissions / power train problems that eventually require new Transmissions on short timings compared to all other vehicles.
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact heard a clicking sounding and the vehicle lunged forward. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by a dealer. The contact was referred to the dealer. The dealer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 73,000.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOW SPEED HEAD ON COLLISION WITH JEEP LIBERTY 2011 NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ALL FORCES CAME THRU STEERING COLUMN RESULTING IN PARTIAL INTERNAL AMPUTATION OF RIGHT HAND, BREKING OF LEFT HAND...NO RECALL REPAIRS EVER DONE, AM 3RD OWNER OF VEHICLE,,,RECALLS SPECIFIED IN 2011,2013,AND AFTER CRASH IN 2016
IT NOT REVERSE OR SHIFTING INTO GEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T LATCH WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, SEATBELTS FAILED ON SECOND IMPACT, AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER MY HEAD BROKE WIND SHIELD. CAR ACCELERATED IN ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE AND ACCELERATED FASTER INTO A CONCRETE WALL. ALL ON CLOSED CIRCUIT VIDEO I AM LEFT WITH A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, DISABLED *TT *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ABS AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADRESTS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND NERVE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SIDE. THE PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A DEFAULT IN A WHEEL SENSOR THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BRAKE SENSOR DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER A YEAR. ABOUT TWO MONTHS IN IT STARTED SHUTTING OFF, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP FOR NO REASON. SOMETIME WHEN I DRIVE THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OF AND THE VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING TREMENDOUSLY. THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY STOPS WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR WHEREVER. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT THE DEALER CANNOT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG LIGHT ON AIRBAG MAKING NOISE DOORS AND WINDOWS UNLOCK ON ITS OWN STEERING WHEEL
I WAS DRIVING 45 IN A 45 MPH ZONE IN THE SUBURBS OF MESA, AZ SUDDENLY MY JEEP LIBERTY PULLED SEVERELY TO RIGHT CAUSING ME TO HIT A 3 FT DIAMETER POLL. AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS EXPECTED BUT THE FORCE OF AIR BAG BLEW A 8 INCH HOLE IN AIRBAG AND SEVERELY BROKE MY CHEST CAVITY AND ABDOMEN CAUSING SPLEEN RUPTURE AND BLOOD AND TOXINS IN MY SPINAL FLUID. MY IMPRESSION OF AIRBAGS IS TO PREVENT INJURY NOT CAUSE INJURY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER JEEP LIBERTY OWNERS. WAS IN TRAUMA MEDICAL CENTER FOR 6 DAYS AND STILL HOME PAINFULLY HEALING. STEERING AND AIRBAG MAY BE DEFECTIVE. MY JEEP WAS TOTALED. HAVE NOT RECEIVED POLICE OR INSURANCE REPORT YET. STILL WAITING BUT NEEDED TO REPORT HOPEFULLY TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM POSSIBLE INJURY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL INOP. REPLACEMENT TIPM HAS CIRCUT SWAP FOR RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP LIBERTY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP LIBERTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PCM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
VEHICLE CAN SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND DRIVE TO PARK WITH OUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The driver side active head restraint system headrest deployed while at a stop light. The was no collision. The driver was knocked forward by the headrest in the head/neck resulting in injury. No warning lights or issues alerted to a problem or malfunction. There is no recall on this make/model. Mileage 77,000
IT NOT REVERSE OR SHIFTING INTO GEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .