Model year record

2008 Jeep Liberty recalls & problems

The 2008 Jeep Liberty has 5 safety recalls and 541 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (126 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints541filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths19 · 0reported in complaints

2008 Jeep Liberty in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

StructureApr 3, 2013

Structure

Recall 13V12100062,578 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.

Components: Structure; Air bags; Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

VisibilityNov 3, 2010

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 10V55000012,027 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.

SuspensionJun 19, 2009

Suspension

Recall 09E03900044 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.

Parking brakeOct 8, 2008

Parking brake

Recall 08V5250003,663 vehicles

Problem: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTCH DRUM MAY DISTORT AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM.
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

VisibilitySep 9, 2008

Windshield

Recall 08V455000494 vehicles

Problem: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 494 MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD AND/OR FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED USING INCORRECT URETHANE ADHESIVE. THIS COULD AFFECT GLASS RETENTION.
Risk: IF THE GLASS SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURE A PEDESTRIAN.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND/OR FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2008 Jeep Liberty 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	22.8%

2008 Jeep Liberty NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Liberty 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Liberty 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Liberty 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Liberty 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemHorn; 12v/24v/48v battery	126	3	1	7	90,570 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap; Storage › Tank assembly	97	0	0	1	40,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Roof and pillars	86	0	0	0	58,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	61	0	1	0	63,500 mi
Unknown or other	54	1	1	1	100,000 mi
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Power window devices and controls	47	0	0	0	50,000 mi
Air bags	43	6	0	11	100,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	41	0	1	0	87,050 mi
Engine	31	0	2	0	100,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline	30	3	1	2	80,000 mi
Exterior lighting	22	0	0	0	89,151 mi
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower arm; Front	21	0	1	0	74,762 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
Twice itâs happened my turned. I went to turn my my key to power to open the doors and the heater went off. The horn started blaring. The windshield wipers came on. They was squirting out windshield fluid and I wasnât even in the car yet I couldnât get it to shut off so I got under. I took a fuse out. It turned off and now my car doesnât run. The first address is my home address at [XXX], and the second one was at the [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Aug 17, 2026
Air bags
Airbag light has been coming on and stays on. When I start my vehicle the airbag in the dash on passenger side sounds like itâs trying to escape. Scary. I have a service appointment for April 2, 2026, Thursday. They canât get me in sooner. I understand the recall doesnât apply. Iâm stating that it SHOULD! Please expand your recall to more Jeep models. I want this on record as I am deeply concerned about my safety.
Mar 27, 2026
Suspension
Suspension rotting out for jeeps were recalled up until 2007. My 2008 jeep has the same issue with rotted suspension bars. Originally recalls were for 2005 they added up to 2007. Mine is a 2008. We need to add another year suspension bar is rusted in half. 158 thousand miles. the rest of underbody is solid. .
Mar 5, 2026
Unknown or other
I am having problems when I back up and turn the steering wheel it starts to make noise and it slows down line it don't want to turn. And my EPS light will not turn off no matter what I do to it. There is something seriously wrong when I'm backing up n turning the wheels if you could please help me an if it has nothing to do with the recall but I'm sure it dies let me know what it is. Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Dec 12, 2025
Suspension
Both lower rear control arms rusted out, broke off entirely while driving. Under 100k miles. This issue was recalled on the same make and model up until 2007 but they clearly haven't fixed the issue.
Oct 18, 2025
Air bags
Steering wheel air bag went off on its own. Started the car and pop. Door locks wonât work on drivers door when unlocking with key fob
Aug 20, 2025
Air bagsCrash
The contact's husband owned a 2008 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag and traction control warning lights would flash on the instrument panel. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned while crossing a puddle of water and landed in a ditch. The side curtain air bags deployed; however, the driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that an abnormal odor was emitted from the vehicle. The contact sustained bruising on the left arm but did not seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to the contact's home and was later towed to an…
Apr 16, 2025
Suspension
Rear control arms rusted on both sides. One side cracked almost completely through. Mechanic confirmed close to failure which would cause loss of control of vehicle. In 2017 this model was recalled for this danger but only through model year 2007. Appears same defective part was used in this model year (2008). No warning lights of problem. Observed myself and mechanic confirmed problem.
Oct 8, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Totally Integrated Power Module FailureClosed
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to…
DP14004 · opened Sep 25, 2014 · closed Jul 24, 2015