IllustrationWe had a fire in the engine compartment. Fire started at the engine manifold ! We took pictures of the damage! This could have killed my son in law ! We gifted the vehicle to him so it could be used as a station vehicle. A dangerous situation Exist ! There is no recall or acknowledgment of this problem being identified!
2008 Jeep Liberty
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Jeep Liberty do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 541.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Liberty years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
590–25K
11325–50K
9250–75K
7675–100K
73100–150K
31150K+
444 reports with mileage · 97 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports
Power Train complaints
30 reportsON 17 FEBRUARY, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I PLACED MY CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO AN AVAILABLE PARKING SPOT AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP ON ITS OWN AND SHOT THE CAR BACKWARD AT TOP SPEED HITTING AND TOPPLING A SAN DIEGO LIGHT POST AND STOPPING WHEN IT HIT A TREE. NO ONE WAS INJURED THANK GOODNESS. I FOUND ON LINE THAT THIS HAD H…
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ON 17 FEBRUARY, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I PLACED MY CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO AN AVAILABLE PARKING SPOT AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP ON ITS OWN AND SHOT THE CAR BACKWARD AT TOP SPEED HITTING AND TOPPLING A SAN DIEGO LIGHT POST AND STOPPING WHEN IT HIT A TREE. NO ONE WAS INJURED THANK GOODNESS. I FOUND ON LINE THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED AT LEAST 31 TIMES WITH A SIMILAR JEEP LIBERTY.
ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN TURNED OFF, IT WILL NOT START FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES UNTIL IT HAS COOLED OFF. IT IS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES,NOT OVERHEATING OR RUNNING HOT, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I'VE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2002 LIBERTIES AND NEWER…
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ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN TURNED OFF, IT WILL NOT START FOR 20 TO 30 MINUTES UNTIL IT HAS COOLED OFF. IT IS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES,NOT OVERHEATING OR RUNNING HOT, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I'VE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2002 LIBERTIES AND NEWER. IT IS APPARENTLY AN ISSUE WITH A TRANSMISSION SHIFT MODULE BEING TOO CLOSE TO A HEAT SOURCE, AND IT CAN'T TELL THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK UNTIL THE ENGINE COOLS DOWN. IF YOU DRIVE IT AND LEAVE IT OFF FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE, BUT IF IT'S TURNED OFF MORE THAN 5 MINUTES IT TAKES BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START. IT STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO SO I'M NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATE. I CAN TURN IT OFF AND DO A REMOTE START WITH THE KEY AND IT WILL START BACK UP IF THE REMOTE START TIME HASN'T EXPIRED YET, BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT TO BE ABLE TO START IT AGAIN.
TAKATA RECALL, AND SUDDENLY HEARD A POP IN THE REAR, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START, LIGHNING BOLT LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. IT DID START BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOUT 20. MADE IT HOME AND PARKED. SHOP THINKS IT MAY BE DRIVE SHAFT BUT SEVERAL THINGS SHOWING UP ON MONITOR.
I HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH MY 08 JEEP LIBERTY. THE LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCK AND UNLOCK. WHEN I USE THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE TRANSMITTER, IT'LL UNLOCK THE DOORS SOMETIMES RIGHT AFTER OR AT SOME POINT WHEN PARKED. THE HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN PARKED. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DR…
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I HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH MY 08 JEEP LIBERTY. THE LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCK AND UNLOCK. WHEN I USE THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE TRANSMITTER, IT'LL UNLOCK THE DOORS SOMETIMES RIGHT AFTER OR AT SOME POINT WHEN PARKED. THE HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN PARKED. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ALSO RANDOMLY ACTIVATES ON DRY PAVEMENT AND EVEN THROWS THE FRONT END OUT OF ALIGNMENT BECAUSE IT WILL BRAKE ONE WHEEL. I'VE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ENGAGING. ALSO, WHEN THE TRACTION/STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGES THERE'S A NOISE FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM FOLLOWED BY SMOKE AT WHATEVER WHEEL IT'S TRYING TO BRAKE. I TOOK IT INTO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED MY FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS AND THAT HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY ARE SAYING I NEED A NEW DRAFT SHAFT, TIE RODS AND A COUPLE OTHER FRONT END PIECES. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE COMING FROM. IT'S A SCARY SITUATION DRIVING THIS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO MAKE IT WHERE I'M GOING BECAUSE THE STEERING CAN LOSE CONTROL BECAUSE OF THE TRACTION SYSTEM. ALSO, IT'S DEVELOPED A MAJOR LEAK IN THE HATCH AREA BY THE TOP PLASTIC PIECES WHERE IT RAINS AND THE BACK FLOOR LOOKS LIKE A SWIMMING POOL AFTER IT RAINS. I TOLD THE DEALER BUT THEY HAVE YET TO TELL ME IF THEY FOUND OUT WHY IT'S LEAKING. I ALSO REPLACED THE BLOWER FAN AND RELAY FOR THE AC THINKING THAT IT WILL FIX AN ISSUE WHERE THE AIR IN THE VENTS ARE BARELY BLOWING. NO FIX. AC IS WEAK. THE HEAT WORKS BEST WHEN IN MOTION. HEAT WILL HEAT UP WHILE DRIVING AND I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING BOILED ALIVE. HAVE TO KEEP ON HIGH TO GET ANY AIR OUT OF THE VENTS, HOWEVER. THE TRANSMISSION IS CLUNKY SHIFTING AND THE FLUID HAS BEEN CHANGED. POWER STEERING IS DIFFICULT TO TURN.
THE FRONT AXLES OF THE JEEP ARE EXTREMELY HEAVILY CORRODED BEYOND ANYTHING I'VE EVER SEEN. THE STEEL IS EASILY REMOVED BY HAND AND THE AXLE NUT IS NO LONGER PRESENT. THIS AFFECTS BOTH SIDES BUT NO OTHER STEEL PARTS APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME CORROSION ISSUE. THE AXLES ARE THE ORIGINAL JEEP PARTS FROM THE FACTORY. THE VEHICLE WAS ST…
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THE FRONT AXLES OF THE JEEP ARE EXTREMELY HEAVILY CORRODED BEYOND ANYTHING I'VE EVER SEEN. THE STEEL IS EASILY REMOVED BY HAND AND THE AXLE NUT IS NO LONGER PRESENT. THIS AFFECTS BOTH SIDES BUT NO OTHER STEEL PARTS APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME CORROSION ISSUE. THE AXLES ARE THE ORIGINAL JEEP PARTS FROM THE FACTORY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING/POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TRANSFER HEAT SHIELD DETACHED AND RUBBED AGAINST THE DRIVESHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING/POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TRANSFER HEAT SHIELD DETACHED AND RUBBED AGAINST THE DRIVESHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V121000 (AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,232. *TR
SEVERE RUSTING OF ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. RF AND LF CV JOINTS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS BEYOND REPAIR. JEEP DEALERS SAID VEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUSTING AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WAS TOLD MAY NOT BE WORTH REPAIRING. MOST JEEP LIBERTIES ARE COVERED UNDER A RECALL EXCEPT 2008. DEALER SAID REPAIRS WOULD BE IN THE THOUSANDS…
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SEVERE RUSTING OF ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. RF AND LF CV JOINTS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS BEYOND REPAIR. JEEP DEALERS SAID VEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUSTING AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WAS TOLD MAY NOT BE WORTH REPAIRING. MOST JEEP LIBERTIES ARE COVERED UNDER A RECALL EXCEPT 2008. DEALER SAID REPAIRS WOULD BE IN THE THOUSANDS.
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE SUNROOF LEAK, THE HEAT SHIELD BRACKET RUSTED/BROKE AND CAME LOOSE FROM THE AUTO AND HIT THE DRIVE SHAFT, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT BLOW OUT ON THE CORRECT VENTS, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF,
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH WHEN THE AC COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND BLEW THE BEARINGS OUT. OIL GOT ON BELT WHICH CAUSED IT TO SLIP ON POWER STEERING PULLEY WHICH SLIGHTLY INCREASED STEERING EFFORT. AC COMPRESSOR IS USED TO OPERATE DEFOGGER. SINCE AC COMPRESSOR IS BROKEN, DEFOGGER WILL NOT WORK AND VISIBILITY MAY NOT MEET FEDERAL S…
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DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MPH WHEN THE AC COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND BLEW THE BEARINGS OUT. OIL GOT ON BELT WHICH CAUSED IT TO SLIP ON POWER STEERING PULLEY WHICH SLIGHTLY INCREASED STEERING EFFORT. AC COMPRESSOR IS USED TO OPERATE DEFOGGER. SINCE AC COMPRESSOR IS BROKEN, DEFOGGER WILL NOT WORK AND VISIBILITY MAY NOT MEET FEDERAL STANDARDS DEPENDING ON WEATHER.
Official recalls
413V121000 · Air Bags; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft; Structure
Apr 3, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Structure
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.
Air Bags
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.
10V550000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Nov 3, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. THE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS THAT CONTAIN EXCESS ADHESIVE THAT MAY ALLOW FOR WATER INTRUSION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INTERMITTENT AND EVENTUALLY INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FAILING OR INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM WILL REDUCE A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
08V525000 · Parking Brake
Oct 8, 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTCH DRUM MAY DISTORT AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
08V455000 · Visibility:windshield
Sep 9, 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 494 MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD AND/OR FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED USING INCORRECT URETHANE ADHESIVE. THIS COULD AFFECT GLASS RETENTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE GLASS SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURE A PEDESTRIAN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND/OR FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den