VehicleVerdict

2009 Jeep Liberty problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2009 Jeep Liberty is among the quieter years of the Liberty on NHTSA's books: 146 complaints (81% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (21), body & structure (20), and electrical system (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

146

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Liberty years?

Liberty NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted2,328 complaints2000: 7 complaints2001: 12 complaints2002: 2,328 complaints2003: 1,731 complaints2004: 1,440 complaints2005: 1,461 complaints2006: 1,810 complaints2007: 941 complaints2008: 764 complaints2009: 146 complaints2010: 271 complaints2011: 241 complaints2012: 551 complaints
Liberty NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Liberty years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Jeep Liberty problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2114%
Electrical System2014%
Body & Structure2014%
Tires & Wheels1812%
Other1410%
Airbags128%
Visibility & Wipers107%
Engine96%
Suspension75%
Lighting43%
Speed Control32%
Transmission32%
Brakes21%
Latches & Locks21%
Steering11%

Does the 2009 Jeep Liberty have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E039000SuspensionJune 19, 2009 · 44 units

Defect

ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON FRIDAY, 07.07.2017, AS I WAS DRIVING INTO A TURN LANE FROM THE HWY, I HAD SLOWED WAY DOWN FOR TRAFFIC THEN PICKED UP SPEED SLIGHTLY, NOT EVEN 10 MPH, TO FOLLOW CARS IN THE TURN LANE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR BECAME SLUGGISH AND THE JEEP CAME TO A STOP. AS I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN THERE WAS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 7, 2017 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP LIBERTY. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED THE SKY SLIDER ROOF AND NOTICED THAT THE ROOF WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE SKY SLIDER ROOF CABLE MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 7, 2012

“ON FRIDAY, 07.07.2017, AS I WAS DRIVING INTO A TURN LANE FROM THE HWY, I HAD SLOWED WAY DOWN FOR TRAFFIC THEN PICKED UP SPEED SLIGHTLY, NOT EVEN 10 MPH, TO FOLLOW CARS IN THE TURN LANE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR BECAME SLUGGISH AND THE JEEP CAME TO A STOP. AS I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN THERE WAS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 7, 2017 · fire

“WHEN DRIVING MY CAR STARTED LEANING TO THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVEN'T HIT ANYTHING OR BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT. ANYTIME I AM AT A 25+ SPEED IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE, AND VERY MUCH SO ON THE HIGHWAY. NOTHING ELSE SEEMS WRONG WITH THE CAR BUT I'M AFRAID THIS MAY DO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. AS I HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 30, 2015

“PROBLEMS WITH THE TIPM. FIRST TO GO WAS THE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM, IT WILL NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. NEXT, THE AC/DC CURRENT OUTLET IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. NOW, THE WASHER FLUID WILL NOT OPERATE, AND YES, ITS FULL. CONCERN OVER WHAT'S NEXT TO GO. RESEARCH SHOWS ISSUES WITH CHRYSLER'S TIPM SYSTEM IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 1, 2016

2009 Jeep Liberty — common questions

Is the 2009 Jeep Liberty reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 146 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Liberty year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Liberty problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (21 complaints), body & structure (20 complaints), electrical system (20 complaints).

Does the 2009 Jeep Liberty have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2009 Jeep Liberty. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Jeep Liberty under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Jeep Liberty years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Liberty years to avoid are 2002, 2006, 2003, 2005, 2004, 2012, 2011. The cleanest record among Liberty years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.