CarBrief

NHTSA has 197 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Jeep Liberty, with the electrical system the largest named group[1][2]. It also has two brake recalls[3][4].

197owner complaints[1]
2recalls[5]
17–18MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 197 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 13 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 8 an injury[1]. No deaths were reported[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

The largest groups by complaint count:

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles at failure
Electrical system[2] 41 0 3 70,000
Unknown or other[7] 37 2 1 70,000
Engine[8] 25 0 3 60,000
Fuel/propulsion system[9] 25 0 1 50,000
Brakes[10] 18 6 0 29,600
Structure[11] 16 1 0 78,500
Air bags[12] 15 5 0 75,000
Exterior lighting[13] 14 0 0 70,000

We read a sample of 12 complaint texts for each of the electrical, engine, fuel and brake groups[2][8][9][10]. What owners describe in that sample:

Brakes stand out for severity more than volume. The group has 18 complaints but the most crashes of any group, at 6, and the lowest median mileage at failure, 29,600[10]. The air bag group has 15 complaints, 5 crashes and 6 injuries[12]. We did not read air bag complaint texts, so we cannot say what owners describe there.

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year. Both involve the brakes. Newest first:

Our data does not say whether a particular car has had this work done.

Fuel economy

EPA rates both versions with the 3.7L 6-cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic[6][14]. Both run on regular gas[6][14].

Version City Highway Combined Yearly fuel cost
2WD (rear-wheel drive)[6] 16 22 18 $3,700
4WD[14] 15 21 17 $3,950

The yearly cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

In NHTSA's 5-Star ratings, the 4-door rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive version earns 3 stars for rollover[15]. NHTSA puts its rollover risk at 22.8%[15].

Engine and size

The EPA entries list a 3.7L 6-cylinder engine for both versions[6][14]. Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door 4WD variant listed as Sport/North Edition/Limit[16]. They are converted to US units, and US models can differ slightly[16].

Measure Value
Length[16] 177 in
Width[16] 72 in
Height[16] 71 in
Wheelbase[16] 106 in
Curb weight[16] 4,127 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

2002: 1,808 complaints, 8 recalls20022008: 541 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 108 complaints, 0 recalls20092010: 197 complaints, 2 recalls19720102011: 181 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 385 complaints, 2 recalls2012
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Liberty model year. The 2010 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20021,8088
20085414
20091080
20101972
20111813
20123852

NHTSA's counts for the model years in our data:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2002 1,808 8
2008 541 4
2009 108 0
2010 197 2
2011 181 3
2012 385 2

Source for the table:[5]. Among these six years, 2010 has the fourth-highest complaint count and ties 2012 for the fourth-highest recall count[5]. The 2009 model year has fewer complaints (108) and no recalls[5]. Counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so they show what was reported, not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2010 Liberty?

The record has some clear spots to check. Two brake recalls exist, and brake complaints include the most crashes of any group[3][4][10]. In the complaints we read, the electrical module, the cooling system and fuel spilling at the filler come up repeatedly[2][8][9]. Among the model years in our data, 2010 sits in the middle for complaints and recalls[5]. Fuel economy is 17 to 18 combined MPG depending on drive type[6][14]. Ask for proof that both recalls were done, and have a mechanic look at those systems before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on a 2010 Jeep Liberty?
By NHTSA complaint count, the electrical system leads with 41 of 197 complaints[1][2]. An unknown or other group has 37[7], then engine and fuel system have 25 each[8][9].
Does the 2010 Jeep Liberty have recalls?
Yes, two, both for brakes: 10V315 for a brake tube and 10V009 for a brake booster rod clip[3][4].
How many miles per gallon does a 2010 Jeep Liberty get?
EPA rates the 2WD at 18 combined MPG and the 4WD at 17 combined MPG[6][14].
How does the 2010 Liberty rate for rollover?
NHTSA gives the 4-door RWD/AWD version 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 22.8%[15].
Is 2010 a better year than 2009 for the Jeep Liberty?
In NHTSA counts, 2009 has fewer complaints (108 against 197) and no recalls against 2[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 197 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Jeep Liberty (13 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 41 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 10V315, filed July 7, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 10V009, filed January 11, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Liberty model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Liberty 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 37 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 25 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 25 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 18 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,600). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 16 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 15 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 14 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Liberty 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LIBERTY 4DR SUV 4WD SPORT/NORTH EDITION/LIMIT: length 177 in, width 72 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,127 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.