The Lemon Index
2007
20092nd generation (KK)
Worse than average · most complaints: fuel system, gasoline
129 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota RAV4 1042008 Honda CR-V 462008 Nissan Rogue 76
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Jeep Liberty
- Sunroof leak or shatter36 complaintsmostly at 48,000–78,000 miles (77,000–126,000 km)
- Engine stalling16 complaintsmostly at 26,000–130,000 miles (42,000–209,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion14 complaintsmostly at 62,000–100,000 miles (100,000–161,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 541 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Jeep Liberty (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 17,000 and 42,000 miles (27,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 108 complaints, of all 129 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 13V121000 (transmission & drivetrain), 10V550000 (visibility) and 09E039000 (suspension) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Jeep sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Jeep's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 129 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 17K to 42K miles (27K to 68K km) on the car (108 of all 129 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I just bought a used 2008 Jeep Liberty with 32,000 miles. This did not happen until after a few fill ups, but now gas spews out after filling the tank. I gets all over the car, the ground and my shoes.
2008 Jeep Liberty owner · NHTSA complaint 10399808
More owner reports
When filling gas tank it splashes out and get all over the Jeep and the person filling the tank.
NHTSA complaint 10440501
Power windows fail to open, or fail to close if ever opened.
NHTSA complaint 10428926
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 9.1M views · 2008–2012 Jeep Liberty
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door554K views
2010 Jeep Liberty Heat Not Working blend door stuckFree As Can Be · 211K views · 6 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical330K views
2008 - 2012 Jeep Liberty Radio InstallProvo Beast Audio Installation · 108K views · 7 videos - Cooling system317K views
How to Replace Thermostat 2008-2012 Jeep Liberty 3.7L V6TRQ · 56K views · 10 videos - Oil changes & service147K views
Jeep Liberty 2011 oil change DIYMark Sickmiller · 93K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Windows, doors & mirrors135K views
Jeep Liberty KK Complete Interior Panel Removal (Dash, Doors & All Plastic Trim)Ryan Moravek (rpm00) · 39K views · 5 videos - Transmission & shifter106K views
How To Replace 42RLE Transmission Valve Body Shift Solenoid Jeep Liberty Dodge Nitro 2008 2014 HardThe World as Seen by Tom · 61K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring90K views
2010 Jeep Liberty tail light removalSierraOscarLima1 · 75K views · 2 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils86K views
Changing Spark Plugs 2010 Jeep Liberty 3.7Hilltown · 86K views
Before you buy, watch
Jeep Liberty 2nd Gen 2008 to 2012 common problems, issues, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 91K views
2010 Jeep Liberty 4X4 ReviewMPGomatic · 315K views
2012 Jeep Liberty Test Drive & SUV Video ReviewUsedCarsTV · 272K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands…
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2013
The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
- Visibility · recall issued 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2009
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 5 recalls
- Parking brake · recall issued 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.
- Visibility · recall issued 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 494 MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedTotally integrated power module failure2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl.
Every Jeep Liberty year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 3 older years (2002–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Jeep Liberty years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/jeep-liberty/?y=2008" title="Jeep Liberty reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/jeep-liberty/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Jeep Liberty reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Jeep Liberty reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 194; 100 is average, lower is better). The Jeep Liberty year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2008 Jeep Liberty problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (52%), visibility (12%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Liberty have?
5 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Jeep Liberty get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Liberty problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 17,000 and 42,000 miles (27,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 108 complaints, of all 129 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Jeep Liberty have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Jeep Liberty cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Jeep Liberty have?
3.7L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Liberty year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works