2012 Jeep Liberty

Photo: CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

2012 Jeep Liberty: common problems and reliability

One of the better Liberty years.

385 owner complaints, most about air bags. 2 recalls.

Should I buy a 2012 Liberty?

The 2012 Jeep Liberty has 385 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system.

Safety record for the 2012 model year

385
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
19
Crash reports
14
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Liberty years only. How we score it

Is 2012 a good year for the Liberty?

Across the 12 Liberty model years we track, complaint volume runs from 10 (2001) to 1,807 (2002). With 385 complaints, the 2012 Liberty sits below the model's median of 703.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags
169
electrical system
117
engine
44
power train
34
structure
24

Recalls affecting the 2012 Liberty

seats:front assembly:head restraint

Campaign 17V640000

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.

electrical system

Campaign 13V282000

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, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.

What owners say across generations

Owner sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, dominated by widespread reports of poor reliability, high maintenance costs, and subpar driving dynamics.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Liberty. See the full Liberty owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Liberty listings typically run $6,529–$8,345 across 2003 to 2012 model years.

Other Liberty model years

Compare every Liberty year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Liberty against its rivals

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