KnownCarProblems2008 Jeep Liberty Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 541 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Jeep Liberty, most often about the fuel system (29% of complaints, typically around 43,000 miles). It is 7th of 13 Liberty model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Jeep Liberty problems
Fuel system
156 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system.
When filling up with gas the Jeep spews gas back out forcefully and about 4 cups fly out all over some times the nozzle clicks and some times it does not. I have had this Jeep for over one year and this started happening for over a month now. 2008 Jeep Liberty 4x4. I called the dealer and they said no recall. This is…
The fuel spills out of the tank when fueling the car resulting in gas on the vehicle and ground of the gas station. This has been going on for about two months. I have taken it to the dealer who said it needed a fuel vapor filter replaced. This did not fix the problem and now the dealer states I need a new gas tank.…
Electrical
124 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.
When drivers door was opened, vehicle horn, wipers both front and rear all began to operate and I was unable to start and maintain the engine running, it was necessary to disconnect the battery terminal in order to stop everything. A month later, I was in town and it did the same thing. In april while coming to a stop…
At startup, first noticed windshield wipers were on and would not shut off. All dash lights, gauges, etc were not operating. Vehicle could not be taken out of park position. (vehicle was used the night prior in a light rain) turned vehicle on and off several times to no avail. At dealership was told the cluster was…
Visibility and wipers
86 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Panoramic roof - will not close. Appears that passenger side track is not operating correctly and the top will not fully close and flaps in the wind. My vehicle is no longer secure as well as the annoyance of the flapping in the wind. Also, no way to secure during inclement weather which is causing staining of the…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that the driver's side window failed and fell into the door panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate…
Body and structure
85 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The sunroof leaks into the headliner causing mold and also affecting the electrical wires in the headliner. We have a 3 year old son and I believe that this could cause a threat to him as well as my wife who's drives the car. It has been brought to my attention that Jeep is aware of the problem with this model as well…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that whenever it would rain, rain water leaked into the vehicle through the roof and the dome light, causing the dome light to fail. The failure recurred numerous times. The dealer was notified but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Other or unspecified
54 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
Was informed by my dealership that the crossmember that goes between the frame and holds the engine and transmission in place was rusted out and needed replacing. Was also informed that there was a recall for the part on 2007 Jeep patriots, but not on 2008 and I'd have to pay for the repair. Was told not to drive the…
On my Jeep Liberty kk I have the power skyslider. It constantly comes off track and doesn't close so when I get in the car after it rains everything is wet. It has come to that im afraid that when I'm driving at high way speeds that the roof with fly off and cause an accident. I didn't do antthing to cause this issue.…
Air bags
43 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
Air bag sensor harness under seat is exposed and prone to break when rear seated passenger(s) are in vehicle. I have replaced the wiring connectors/wiring harness 3 times. One on drivers side and twice on passenger side. This has happened on the road while moving. If cruise control is on it will stop functioning until…
Airbag light randomly comes on while driving and the dealer quoted me $400 to repair. I have a 3 and 5 year old. I am concerned that if the air bags deploy while driving with my kids in the car, our lives would be in danger. This cost is also not money that I have just sitting around in a bank account.
Engine
40 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
Sometimes the starter will crank the engine but will not start, using the remote start or the key. Also the security alarm will go off while trying to use the remote start from time to time. Other liberties with this and other similar "common" problems are coverd by service bulletins but not ours.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Liberty. Without warning, the temperature gauge, water pump, and various other warning lights randomly flickered and the vehicle stalled. The dealer was notified of the failures and provided no specific diagnosis. The contact had the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic who…
Transmission
30 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH the steering wheel became unresponsive and the vehicle crashed into a guard rail, flipped over twice and landed in an embankment. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact had to be cut out of the vehicle. She suffered a cut on her neck…
The transmission pan is rotting out and leaking onto the exhaust , every morning when I leave for work I smell something burning. Well come to find out its been rusting for a long time now seeing I have only had this Jeep for two years now , but I have lots of problem with this Jeep , Jeep told me that they don't…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Jeep Liberty recalls
Body and structure: structure
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: A failing or inoperative windshield wiper system will reduce a driver's visibility which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: This could allow the vehicle to move inadvertently and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield
Risk: If the glass separates while driving, it could strike another vehicle or injure a pedestrian.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Totally integrated power module failure
Summary
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
Questions about the 2008 Jeep Liberty
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Liberty?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (156 complaints, typically around 43,000 miles); electrical (124 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); visibility and wipers (86 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Liberty have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 3, 2013 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Jeep Liberty?
- It is 7th of 13 Liberty model years by number of complaints, with 541 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.