Jeep Liberty: Problems & Solutions

znail25

Really!! What's a VRc?

g159

Anybody like seeing the suspension on the back of the cr-v. Lower control arms about 4inches of the ground, with the thinnest half shafts in the world powering the rear tires.

znail25

Has anyone seen the newest addition to the liberty lineup. The RENEGADE is back, and it's freakin Sweet, and I'm freakin Pissed. I would have liked to have known that this model was coming out when I bought my Jeep Liberty. Check out the picture (http-www.jeep.com.index.html)
This just shows the versatility when it comes to custumizing the liberty to ones own taste.
I'm still pissed though!!
And bye the way What's a VRc?? (from message #246)

dgmdvm

I picked up my Liberty Limited yesterday. I noticed that when accelerating through 47 MPH until about 55 MPH there is a harmonic vibration I can feel throughout the vehicle. At higher or lower speeds I don't feel it. If I take my foot off the gas when my speed is in that range the vibration disappears. Turning off the OD has no effect. Any ideas?

tidester

I am certain we can more suitable means of expressing approbation and displeasure.

Thanks.

tidester
Host
SUVs

mellis

I had the exact same problem in September with my new Sport. To make a long story short the dealer could not isolate the problem and DC tore up the lease and had me pick out another on the lot at the same price.

Yes - they gave me a new truck! My new Sport has been perfect for 7,000 miles. Good luck.

Mark

anthony921

What are you guys smoking?????

colorado1974

anthony921, did you hear that we landed on the moon? Stay current in the topic you Hyundai...I mean Kia...I mean Daewoo...I mean Nissan lover. What the heck, they are all the same anyway.

Karen_S

To include all Jeep enthusiasts, the Jeep Wrangler Owners Club has been changed to Jeep Owners Club, located on Edmunds.com Owner's Club board. Please stop by and introduce yourself in Meet the Members and let me know how I can help build your club.

I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in SUVs.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs

Lisel

Pardon me if this has been brought up before. I have a squeal/squeak in front of my Liberty Limited 4x2 (bought in mid-August, just over 5K miles), sometimes barely noticeable but other times quite loud. Someone suggested it could be a loose belt. Anyone else have this problem? And is it something I can fix (that same person told me to buy some "belt dressing) or would the dealer handle it?

Thanks a lot!
Lisel

mad0865

I would recommend having the dealer take a look at it. In some of the previous posts on here, members have mentioned having either the right/left front strut replaced due to excessive noise. It's covered under warranty, so let the professionals take a look at it. Good luck with your new Jeep.

rtreston

We have had our Liberty Limited, Stone White for 6 months. The day after we bought it the accelerator cable disconnected, leaving us stranded. Since then, we have had odd noises (the dealership told us it was "breaking in"), severe pulling to the right (we were told "all chrysler cars are designed to pull to the right), the jerking at the downshift, rattling and now, the rear left fender is stained yellow where gas overflowed from the gas tank. The grill is a different shade of white (just slightly) and we are concerned about the long term appearance of the white. We told the dealer we want a new one... in red or blue... you can imagine their response. We are starting the letter writing, public awareness campaign etc. Anyone else have problems with their white paint?

rtreston

Are there enough frustrated people out there with the quality of the Liberty and the ensuing service (or lack thereof), that we could file a class action suit against DC? That seems to be the only thing they may pay attention to. They don't need more bad publicity after the Grand Cherokee. Anyone know a lawyer that may be interested?

soulfinger

I'm pretty sure it only takes one person and one lawyer (note the difference) to file a class action. And after the lawyer takes his cut, you can all take your $1.69 check to the bank.

tidester

Lawyers are people too!

tidester
Host
SUVs

suvshopper4

Surely you jest.

dewumpy

Lawyers are not all bad. I want to say that I have had excellent service from the dealerships in the Sacramento area (Great Valley and AutoWest.) and they have yet to offend me by playing dumb. I have taken my Liberty in for oil changes and "odd rattles" and they have found the problem each time. (Ok, it was only one problem, but I took it in, they found the problem, ordered the part and installed it a week later without any hassle.)

rtreston: Not all Chrysler cars pull to the right. Mine pulled right at the very beginning, and they fixed the alignment and it's fine. If your dealership is feeding you this line, take it somewhere else.

tidester

I was tempted to post a lawyer joke but lawyers don't think they're funny and other people don't think they're jokes.

However, I'd be going off topic and setting a bad example so I decided against it. :-)

tidester
Host
SUVs

suvshopper4

Tidester: How about this one?

In a small town, there was only one lawyer. He made a decent living.
One day a second lawyer moved into town and opened a practice across the street from the first lawyer.
A year later, they were both rich.

Now about those Jeep Liberty's...

cdkelly23

Q: What do you call 200 dead lawyers floating in the Mississippi River?

A: A good start

tidester

What have I started?? ;-)

tidester
Host
SUVs

john325

Did you know they are going to start using lawyers rather than rats in laboratory experiments?

Do you know why?

1. There are more lawyers than rats.

2. One never becomes that attached or close to
lawyers.

3. And finally, there are certain things that
rats just will not do.

mad0865

Sorry, can't join you on that one. I have 8300 trouble free miles from my Liberty and enjoy driving it. As for the pulling to the right, etc. problems, try a different dealership. When you go to the doctor and get an diagnosis, one that you don't like, wouldn't you get a 2nd opinion?

rayburn1812

Where did you get the info on the driveshaft binding when in 4wd. I drove one 400 miles in 4x4 in off again on again snow patches and never had a problem. Look in the owners book and it says nothing about this. Does say not to because of wear on the tires and gas mileage

mad0865

Here is an excellent example of why you should never drive in 4x4 HI/LO on dry pavement. You can make the decision on your own.

http://4x4abc.com/4WD101/def_turn.html

Here is a example:
If you own a vehicle with part time 4WD the need for different rpm front and rear represents a major problem. The transfer case will power the front and rear drive shafts with same rpm and is not able to satisfy the front axle's need for more rpm.

So, with part time 4WD engaged your front wheels have a greater need for rpm but since the front drive shaft delivers only the same rpm as to the rear the front wheels are forced to turn the same rate as the rear wheels. The front drive shaft in effect slows down the front wheels. This results in very wide turns (understeer) and dangerous handling on pavement.

Also offers great information on other forms of SUV's.

dgmdvm

As a follow up message to #254, I took my Liberty in and the vibration was found to be coming from the drive shaft. Re-installing the drive shaft 180 degrees from the original installation decreased the vibration significantly but didn't totally eliminate it. The dealer ordered me a new drive shaft. The vibration is now about 90% improved, although I still notice it slightly at about 50 MPH.

znail25

What does the "Heavy-Duty engine cooling" actually consist of for the Liberty. Is it a larger radiator, larger fan, engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler? I found a transmission oil cooler on www.wyckoff-mopar-parts.com. Is this what they are talking about?
If anyone has the Trailer Tow Group maybe you can tell me what the "Heavy-Duty engine cooling" is....
Thanks

mad0865

You might want to post that question in the regular Jeep discussion group; this is geared towards problems, and hopefully solutions.

stever

Jeep Liberty

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

joponne

Well my Liberty is almost four months old to the day...And my on board computer is gone...Took it to the shop on Monday and they called Tuesday night and said the part has come in.. I'll see how long it takes to fix it... broke down while visiting in another state...So I couldn't take it to my dealer...A little upset they would not give me a loner...They wanted me to pay for the rental car...I'll keep you posted..

tidester

Spin Around Town:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/spin/51592/article.html

tidester
Host
SUVs

justintx

Howdy,
Just thought I would post some info from my experience with a clunking/rattle noise coming from the front right side of my Liberty when going over bumps. I noticed the problem around 900 miles and had the dealer look at it when I took it in to get the tags. They couldn't really find anything, and naturally, it wouldn't make the noise while they were looking at it. They told me to give it some more break-in time then bring it back if it was still doing it. Well, needless to say, it didn't fix itself. I took it back in and they finally figured out that one of the bushings was installed incorrectly. This fixed the problem. Hope this info is helpful... (actually, I hope DC learned how to install the bushings)

justintx

I have a static-cling type flag on the small window of the back passanger driver side. The other day I noticed the sticker had a bubble in it, so I used my thumb to try and rub the air bubble out. When I pushed against the small window it moved. It almost looks like the seal has deteriorated. Has anyone noticed this? (This is the small window that doesn't go up and down.) I'm wondering how much water has been going inside my door during rain and car washes??

flippy1

Well, we finally got a response to our 4 page letter of complaints. DC wrote back 3 sentences amounting to "sorry you have had problems, but we aren't going to do anything about it."

I would have been embarassed to sign my name to a "customer service" letter like this. PLEASE keep this in mind when you are looking at cars and considering the Liberty

stevek18

Justintx, just a quick question, was the noise from the right side (when you hit a bump) like a one-time creaking/lurching sound? I heard a noise like that going over bumps (also 1000 miles) but only a couple times, and only when it was really cold. Otherwise, it's been remarkably squeak/rattle-free.

I will check the small rear windows to see if there is any problem with the seals.

justintx

Yes, the creaking was really only when I went over a bump (eg speedbump) or down the incline in the driveway to the flat road. The noise seemed more apparent in the morning when it was cold (this was in Nov-Dec)

stevek18

Justintx, thanks for the info! I will have the bushing checked. FYI, I found no problems with my rear (small) windows, hope yours are okay.

mjsturg1

Is every one having crappy mileage or is it just me? My 99 Grand Cherokee had better mileage ! I am only getting like 15 mpg city or highway doesnt matter. I am still in the "break-in" phase but geez...

stevek18

I got about 15mpg for the first 700 miles or so, now getting 17-18 with mixed driving.

mad0865

The most I've been able to get on a fillup is 15 gallons, and I usually get it filled up at the 1/8 left on the guage (probably right before the warning light comes on), with doing about 80%hwy, 20% city and get about 18-19mpg (about 280-285 miles). Hope that helps. When I took it on a trip (NJ to Ohio) via route 80, I got about 20-21 mpg.

tbunder

i am looking at a liberty sport. i have some questions.
ive read that the mileage sucks. is this true?
im worried about the gas tank location, do you think this will be a future issue with exploding when rear-ended? it just looks scary where they put it.
will it accept 31 inch tires? ie. a 245/75/16. which is 30.6 inches tall. the stock tires are 235/70/16's, which translates to a 29.3 or something. anyone put bfg at's on their liberty?
is the off-road group necessary? is there an optional rear-end available? thx

jeffkiel

In my normal driving (40% open highway, 30% traffic highway, 30% city) I average 18.5 MPG. I took a longer highway trip, 2 hours each way, and got 21 MPG.

vin_weasel

The Cherokee started (as a midsize) 18 years ago with the gas tank in the rear, the TJ has it, the Grand Cherokees also have it. Have you ever heard of an explosion from a rear end collision in one of these vehicles?

I'm sure that if this was a problem, it would have already arisen over the last 2 decades. I wouldn't worry about it too much. I know I don't.

tbunder

on the new gc's, the thing you see hanging down in the back isn't the gas tank. it's the place the spare is stored under the rear cargo area. don't know on the cherokee, but the liberty's tank is right there behind the bumper.

also, what did you liberty have in it engine-wise when it got that number?

also, anyone answer my questions about tires? thx

nebulas

I have 4,370 miles on my Liberty Limited, and do not see any significant increases in city mpg - actually it's worse now than last fall. From other posts I understand that colder temperatures decrease the mileage a bit, but if I told you that I've been getting 12.1, 12.3 and 11.9 for my last three fill ups (100% city driving) I do not believe that the standard response of "your vehicle still needs a break-in" applies here. And I do not floor the pedal, in case you're wondering. My average for the whole 4,370 miles is 14.8, which includes one highway round trip from D.C. to Chicago last Thanksgiving. (17 mpg avg with Thule carrier). I'm not even in the range of the EPA advertised city MPG of 16 since it was delivered last August. What gives? This is my only qualm with this otherwise excellent vehicle that I'd recommend to anyone who does not mind its thirst quench. Would removing the battery cables for a few seconds help (to reprogram the computer)?

bj02176

Before I traded my sport I calculated 13.3 mpg on the highway. Piss poor, seemed to get better mileage in nice suburban towns. Actually did it's best in Winchester, Ma. It's sad to think that I felt safer coming home in a small snow storm in a Toyota sedan then I did in a Liberty. Nice build quality but if the Tribute was as reliable there would be no contest. You would never feel like you were going to tip or slide in a Tribute. It takes top of the line Michelins to keep the Liberty from being an an out of control vehicle. I needed an alignment of course the dealer wouldn't do it, extreme vibration at 70 miles per hour, wheel balancing didn't do it, yet that's what you get with 5 star dealers. Had a 1995 or 1996 Cherookee that sucked also.

dielectric7bb

I would say you are beyond the break-in period. Also, if you live in a cold climate, gasoline may be supplemented with 10% ethanol (at least in my area) which decreases my MPG. How much of your city driving is continuous? If you start your car, go 5 miles, stop, let it cool down, two hours later start it up again, go 5 miles,...those MPG stats sound about right for your vehicle (although owners should know better). If I do the above driving, I can get 9 MPG (usually about 12 if I'm cautious about such driving), but that's in an Isuzu Trooper.

shreddedshoe

Has anyone noticed any rusting problems underneath their Liberty? Some people on the JeepsUnlimited site have posted pics of serious rusting on the driveshaft and muffler and have also found it on other spots on the undercarriage. It's probably just surface, but regardless...it shouldn't be. Just wondering if anyone else has this.

flippy1

While washing my white limited the other day (hey-I might as well look good while stranded on the side of the road!) I noticed that the painted plastic trim parts have numerous dents and chips in the paint. The paint on these parts (bumpers, grill, fenders, side trim) is extremely soft and I can actually create an indentation with my fingernail. The paint chips are actually dents in the paint and you can tell that the paint is smudged, rather than a typical paint nick that you would get on the steel body. So, in addition to all those parts slowly fading to a yellowish color, they are now full of paint dings. We have only driven this vehicle on the highways. Has anyone else noticed this problem on their Limiteds?

mad0865

Last I checked with my warranty, DC will cover any rust damage. Also, mufflers rust from the inside out, not outside in. Whatever rust is on the muffler, is superficial.