2003 Jeep Liberty Sport review from North America

Parking Brake - I Went for the first state inspection and parking brake failed. I took it to the Jeep dealership and they fixed it under warranty.

Recently, I have a major squeak on front suspension while going over bumps (ie. speed bumps).

Grinding on the front axle during turns in 4WD - I first noticed while trying to park while I was in 4WD.

Carpet mats are wearing thin.

I really love my 2003 Jeep Liberty Sport. I bought it last February (2003) and have put approximately 30,000 miles on it. Compared to the VW Jetta that I had (which was in the shop for about 4 months out of the first year) this automobile has been a dream.

I bought my Liberty about 3 weeks before we had 4 feet of snow last year. This was the first car that I've had with 4WD and I was amazed with the handling and capability of this Jeep. BUT, it was during this time that I noticed the first problem. There was a nasty grinding sound from the front axle during turns while in 4WD. It would get so bad that if I would coast through a turn, it would slow and even stop the Jeep, until I give it more gas. I remember reading somewhere about this, but I'm not sure how much damage this may be causing. We had a significant snow and ice storm this week and I noticed the grinding again. I am going to take it in to get looked at, but any feedback from others would be appreciated.

The only other significant problem was with the parking brake. I took the Jeep in for it’s first state inspection and it failed because the parking brake wouldn't hold. Luckily, I took it into the Jeep dealership and they fixed the problem at no charge, under warranty.

Otherwise I absolutely love my Liberty. I have the 3.7 V6 manual (I will forever buy a manual) and the power is great. It has plenty of room to haul whatever I need. Since, it is relatively small, it makes my commute in and around the DC Metro easy and enjoyable. My fiancé got me the aftermarket sub woofer that mounts under the seat and the sound system is fantastic. The gas mileage is definitely more than I was used to, but honestly, it's an SUV. I check the mileage periodically and I usually average around between 19 & 20 mpg, and that's with some of the worst traffic in the country.

I must say that I am anxious about my Liberty’s future. My Dad had a Cherokee for 10 years and put 150,000 miles on it. He didn't have any major problems and I know he's not alone. It is the reviews from this site and others like it that have me concerned. I am counting my blessings.

Overall - Great styling, great capabilities, and so far... a great vehicle.