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2011 Jeep Liberty: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 181 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Jeep Liberty, led by electrical, air bag and fuel system reports[1][2][3][4]. The car also has 3 recalls, so it is worth checking by VIN that each one was done[5].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 181 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 16 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 19 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.
The biggest groups by count are:
- Electrical system: 42 complaints, median mileage at failure 52,000[2].
- Air bags: 35 complaints, median mileage 83,000[3].
- Fuel and propulsion system: 31 complaints, median mileage 58,500[4].
- Engine: 22 complaints, median mileage 60,000[7].
We also read a small sample of complaint texts for each group. This is a sample, not a measure of all owners.
Air bags. In 7 of the 12 air bag complaints we read, the air bag warning light stayed on, and several said a module was diagnosed as failed[3]. In 2 of the 12, owners describe air bags that did not deploy in a collision[3]. This group has 8 crashes and 8 injuries, more than any other group[3].
Fuel system. In 10 of the 12 fuel complaints we read, owners describe fuel spilling, gushing or spraying out while refueling[4].
Engine. In 3 of the 12 engine complaints we read, owners describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving[7]. The engine group has 1 reported fire[7].
Electrical. Owners describe a horn that sounds on its own, fails or answers late in 3 of the 12 electrical complaints we read[2]. Another 3 describe tailgate or rear window warnings, or the rear window opening on its own[2].
Brakes have fewer complaints, 13, but they include 4 crashes and 6 injuries[8].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[5]. Newest first:
- Head restraint controller (17V640). A part in the restraint controller can fail, so the active head restraints may not deploy if the car is hit from behind. That raises the risk of injury for front seat occupants. Dealers replace the controller as needed at no cost to the owner. The recall started on December 4, 2017[9]. The recall text names 2012 Jeep Liberty, not 2011, so check your VIN with the dealer or NHTSA[9].
- Air bag control module (13V282). Electrical stress on a small part inside the restraint control module may stop the active head restraints from deploying in a rear impact. For the Liberty, it covers 2011 and 2012 models built from June 17, 2011 through August 15, 2012[10]. Dealers update the software on the power module or replace the control module at no cost to the owner. The recall started on November 19, 2013[10].
- Steering column rivet (11V315). Some vehicles may have left the factory with the steering column pivot rivet absent or put in wrong. That could weaken the column in a frontal crash and raise the risk of injury. Dealers inspect the rivet and repair the pivot as needed at no cost to the owner. The recall started on July 4, 2011[11].
Fuel economy
Both versions use a 3.7L 6-cylinder engine with a 4-speed automatic and run on regular gas[6][12].
| Version | City | Highway | Combined | Est. annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD (rear-wheel drive)[6] | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 4WD[12] | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
Our data has NHTSA rollover ratings only. The 4WD version gets 3 stars with a 22.8% rollover risk[13]. The rear-wheel-drive version gets 3 stars with a 25.6% risk[14]. We have no crash test star ratings to report.
Engine and size
The EPA lists a 3.7L 6-cylinder engine for both versions[6][12]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4WD 4-door SUV variant listed as Sport/North Edition/Limit, and can differ slightly from US models[15].
How 2011 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,808 | 8 |
| 2008 | 541 | 4 |
| 2009 | 108 | 0 |
| 2010 | 197 | 2 |
| 2011 | 181 | 3 |
| 2012 | 385 | 2 |
NHTSA lists these Liberty model years[5]:
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,808 | 8 |
| 2008 | 541 | 4 |
| 2009 | 108 | 0 |
| 2010 | 197 | 2 |
| 2011 | 181 | 3 |
| 2012 | 385 | 2 |
Among these six years, 2011 has the second fewest complaints, behind only 2009. It has the third most recalls, behind 2002 and 2008[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide.
Should you buy a used 2011 Liberty?
The 181 complaints are fewer than in four of the other five listed years, but the sample we read points to repeat themes: air bag warning lights, fuel spilling at the pump and engine stalls[1][5][3][4][7]. Fuel economy is 18 combined MPG for 2WD and 17 for 4WD[6][12]. Before buying, run the VIN for open recalls, including the head restraint and air bag control module recalls (the 17V640 text names 2012 models, so confirm with the dealer or NHTSA)[9][10]. Ask for repair records on the air bag system and the fuel filler.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Jeep Liberty?
- By complaint count, the largest groups are electrical (42), air bags (35), fuel and propulsion (31) and engine (22)[2][3][4][7]. In the samples we read, owners describe air bag warning lights, fuel spilling while refueling and engine stalling.
- Does the 2011 Jeep Liberty have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3: steering column rivet (11V315), air bag control module (13V282) and head restraint controller (17V640)[9][10][11][5].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2011 Jeep Liberty?
- EPA rates the 2WD at 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined MPG, and the 4WD at 15, 21 and 17[6][12].
- How does the 2011 Liberty compare with other years?
- Among the six listed years, 2011 has the second fewest complaints (181) and the third most recalls (3)[5].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 181 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Jeep Liberty (16 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 42 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 35 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Liberty model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 22 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 17V640, filed October 10, 2017: Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V282, filed July 2, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V315, filed June 8, 2011: Steering › Column. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV RWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 25.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 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