2012 Jeep Liberty Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield wipers inadvertently activated. The contact turned the windshield wipers on and off to deactivate the windshield wipers. Additionally, the headlights inadvertently illuminated, and the doors locked and unlocked independently while the vehicle was unoccupied, parked, and turned off in the driveway. The vehicle occasionally hesitated while starting. The contact stated that the failure had caused the battery to drain. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V530000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11752635

Incident

Jul 13, 2026

Mileage

126,000 mi

Skyroof suddenly stopped working and will not close. No dealers will fix as thry say parts aren't longer available..my car is now worthless and is a safety issue while driving with the roof partially opened.

NHTSA ID

11704187

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

My daughter was hit by a semi truck on US-23 today. The trailer fishtailed hit the back end of Jeep. I hit the guard rail. All four corners of the Jeep were hit. The air bags did not deploy. The front driver tire fell off. The back window and passenger side trunk window blew out.

NHTSA ID

11703957

Incident

Dec 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while making a right turn on a main road at 25 MPH, the front lower control arms snapped. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over onto the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.

NHTSA ID

11673807

Incident

Jul 11, 2025

Mileage

29,000 mi

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 94,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 171,000.

NHTSA ID

11660979

Incident

May 14, 2025

Mileage

171,000 mi

The contact's sister owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that upon opening the door of the vehicle, the contact's sister became aware that the driver's side headrest had been deployed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ID

11639908

Incident

Jan 17, 2025

Mileage

86,000 mi

The vehicle gears slipped into neutral but back to drive without assistance on my part. Once at a stop sign when I resumed driving. Once turning a corner. Once getting ready to back up. / I took it to have the transmission fluid level checked and it checked out ok. There have been no transmission recalls reported on the 2012 Jeep Liberty. The pan and filter had had a leak and was replaced a couple of weeks before this slippage happened

NHTSA ID

11621238

Incident

Oct 10, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact became aware of an abnormal wobbling coming from the front end of the vehicle. Additionally, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the local tire shop where the four tires were replaced and an alignment was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that several days later while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter seized, and the vehicle turned off unintendedly. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, parked, and inspected the vehicle. The contact called a local mechanic who drove to the scene to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that the VCM software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11617342

Incident

Jun 19, 2023

Mileage

95,000 mi

Electrical issue with drivers side front blinker works when headlights are off but when headlights are turned on front blinker does not work. I’ve seen numerous complaints about the same issue with this vehicle amongst other electrical issues

NHTSA ID

11613483

Incident

Feb 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was a loud banging sound coming from the suspension on the driver’s side rear of the vehicle. The contact became aware that the rear end of the vehicle was loose and was falling apart onto the roadway. The contact pulled to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11588960

Incident

May 14, 2024

Mileage

140,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags) and 13V282000 (Electrical System, Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact attempted to schedule an appointment with a local dealer for the recall repairs however, the contact stated that the dealer was not cooperating. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11563731

Incident

Jul 2, 2013

While my vehicle was sitting in our driveway, the AHR for the drivers seat activated. while at the time I had not received a notice " that im aware of" this could have been a very bad ending for this hitting my head while driving. although the recall showing is for the AHR not working, this one did it all by it self. NOT safe.

NHTSA ID

11552611

Incident

May 29, 2023

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 ID

11552038

Incident

Oct 26, 2023

air conditioner, horn and various dash lights not working properly or at all

NHTSA ID

11538879

Incident

May 11, 2023

The entire dashboard set of alarm lights go ON as soon as the vehicle starts. The speedometer stops working, the hand break light is on so it appears as it actually activates it and it slows the vehicle impacting drivability, the radiator fan is constantly working, the 4WD mode is activated by default also impacting drivability, impossible to see if the car is overheating, and it could very well be that the airbags would not work if needed. This all adds to a very unsafe drive.

NHTSA ID

11534640

Incident

Jul 10, 2023

I was driving on the roadway when suddenly the front driver side power switch (which controls the automatic windows, doors and mirrors), caught fire and started smoking. Unsure of what to do, I pulled over and tried to investigate. When the smoke subsided I drove to an oil change store, which had serviced my vehicle in the past, and asked for assistance from a technician on duty. While investigating, the power switch started smoldering again. The tech had no other option but to disconnect the power switch, by cutting the wires, to prevent future fire damage - as the wires and power switch had melted together. I contacted Jeep to share my concern but they declined assistance. I performed a Google search and found instances of two incidences similar to my experience. NOTE: I have a brief video but couldn’t upload it - photo option was the only option provided.

NHTSA ID

11528758

Incident

May 28, 2023

Transmission burnt out after only 128,000 miles. Got code 0869 and took to two auto shop and both saw d transmission needed replaced.

NHTSA ID

11521618

Incident

May 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, during a rain shower, the sunroof opened inadvertently allowing water to enter the passenger cabin. The contact attempted to close the sunroof; however, he could hear that the motor was making a whirring sound, but the sunroof failed to close. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the sunroof was not on track and that the parts to perform the repair were unavailable. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11514814

Incident

Mar 18, 2023

Mileage

140,000 mi

Horn stopped working. Tested actual horn another way and it operates properly but when driving it does not work Someone mentioned it could be the clock spring. Is this covered under warranty or other reports of this malfunctioning for a recall?

NHTSA ID

11498664

Incident

Dec 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lurched to the right out of the lane. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle back into the lane. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the failure had become constant and had stopped driving the vehicle. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rack and pinon, power steering kit, and brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred after retrieving the vehicle from the dealer. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11492909

Incident

Sep 13, 2022

Mileage

109,000 mi

Transmission failure due to not being replaced when scheduled for maintenance

NHTSA ID

11474030

Incident

Jul 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and merging onto the interstate, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The RPM revved up but the vehicle did not respond. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger’s side front tire was wobbling. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that three tires needed to be replaced due to tread belt damage and that the heater core and transmission were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased to be repaired. The thermostat was replaced, the brake lines were bled however, the tires were not replaced. The contact stated that she was not provided a copy of the repair order. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle manufacturer was notified of the failure. The tire manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

NHTSA ID

11455177

Incident

Jan 22, 2022

Mileage

134,000 mi

.The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle delayed getting up to speed while making abnormally loud sounds. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond and stalled while making a turn. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road but could not restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Then, the vehicle was towed to an independent transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that the transmission torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11451004

Incident

Mar 8, 2021

Mileage

120,000 mi

My heater takes 45-60 mins to heat up my car, and it doesn’t blow full force when it’s on the highest setting. On cold days I literally have to start my car up 45 before I need to leave just to have a slight warmth inside. Once I’m moving, it barely blows any heat through the vents. The highest setting feels like it’s on the lowest setting.

NHTSA ID

11450106

Incident

Feb 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the indicator lights would activate without warning and other lights would stop working. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the TIPM module replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was 103,994.

NHTSA ID

11439928

Incident

Nov 4, 2021

Mileage

103,994 mi