The Lemon Index
200820102nd generation (KK)
Not enough data. Only 17 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
17 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota RAV4 1272009 Honda CR-V 332009 Nissan Rogue 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Jeep Liberty
- Rust / frame corrosion12 complaintsmostly at 28,000–72,000 miles (45,000–117,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 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
Only 17 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 09E039000 (suspension) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Jeep sent dealers 47 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Manual transmission pops out of gear”?
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 17 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 44K miles (28K to 71K km) on the car (17 of all 17 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
My key on my my 2002 Jeep Liberty will no longer turn the ignition.
2009 Jeep Liberty owner · NHTSA complaint 10260353
More owner reports
The actuator in my heating system went out, and needed to be replaced, at only 52,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10435439
Gas spills out of the tank opening when refuling, after the pump auto shut-off has turned off.
NHTSA complaint 10435438
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 2009 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 47 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Manual transmission pops out of gear
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Suspension · recall issued 2009
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE.
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 $3,350–$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. 2009 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/jeep-liberty/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Jeep Liberty reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Jeep Liberty reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 17 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Jeep Liberty problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (29%), fuel system, gasoline (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Jeep Liberty have?
1 safety recall (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Jeep Liberty get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Jeep Liberty have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Jeep Liberty cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Jeep Liberty have?
3.7L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Liberty year is better than the 2009?
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