2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 3.7L
Summary:
Rugged, reliable with highly variable fuel mileage depending on driving habits
Faults:
Needed a new radiator at 75000 miles.
Needed new ball joints at 95,000 miles.
Driver's side seat back broke a bracket at 105,000.
General Comments:
This has been a very reliable car for us. Most of our mileage has been on the road, but we've also taken it on some pretty rugged trails in places like Durango, Colorado - pulling a trailer to boot. This thing really does go just about anywhere.
I've read comments about some Liberty's pulling to the right and sucking gas.
Our Liberty pulled to the right slightly when we got it. Never could get this fixed. We finally gave up and got used to living with it. Then when we replaced the original tires, the problem went away and has never returned. I suspect the original Goodyear tires might have had something to do with the pulling problem.
As to the gas mileage...When my wife drives the Liberty, she averages 12-14 mpg. Absolutely terrible. When I drive the Liberty, I average between 19-21 mpg. About what the Liberty is rated for. Our conclusion is that the Liberty's mileage is heavily influenced by driving style. Neither my wife nor I can recall seeing such wide mileage variations on any other car we've ever shared.
Perhaps we've been lucky, but we've not had any of the reliability problems with our Liberty that many other people report. In fact, the thing has been so darn good that we'll probably turn it over to our son when he graduates from high school.
The Liberty has been a good vehicle for us, but I don't think we'll buy another one. Times have changed and I don't think I will ever want another vehicle that isn't rated for at least 30 mpg hiway mileage. Probably end up with some hybrid next.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 4th October, 2006
7th Oct 2006, 21:11
My wife and I had a 2003 Liberty Renegade. Your review is spot on. Except our mileage always was poor. I couldn't do better than 13.8 city/17.2 hwy... driven very conservatively I might add.. That ain't gonna fly now days. There are better alternatives so the Liberty's gone. In its place is a 2006 CR-V. We love it and don't have to visit gas stations as often. More interior room, passive AWD, traction/stability control and ABS. Our Liberty Renegade didn't even have ABS. I guess it was an option. I was niave and expected a well equipped $27,000 SUV to have ABS. Shame on me!
The Jeep was a fine vehicle that needed to be a little more efficient. Nuff said.