Used 2005 Jeep Liberty Consumer Reviews
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New Car
Traded in my 02 Nissan Xterra. I find the ride in the Jeep Liberty more comfortable not as truck like as the Xterra. One big factor in buying this was the 0% financing, which enabled me to purchase the Limited with all of the extras.
Grandma's Jeep
The reason I wanted a Jeep Liberty was for more space. I've always wanted a Red Vehicle and the little Liberty came out and I knew I wanted one. They have lots of extra space and are very comfortable. My grandkids think it's great also. I just got it for my Christmas gift. I have had no trouble with it.
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,495111 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,995126 mi away
- Sport 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,500126 mi away
Jeep Liberty is fun
This is the best vehicle I have ever owned and I am 64. It has unique convenient controls like the radio buttons on the steering wheel. It is a ball to drive and was pleasantly surprised at the riding comfort for a smaller SUV. I would strongly recommend it to anyone on a budget.
Fantastic!
I have an 05 Jeep Liberty and still does not give me trouble. The ball joints, and maybe 2-3 times I changed a tire. That has been the only problem in the past years. I highly suggest this for young drivers, you never have to worry about this breaking down on you!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
New Renegade Convert
I was going from a MINI Cooper S to an SUV. This was not going to be an easy transition but I feel like I have upgraded in lots of ways. I like the color (Light Khaki) and the interior is functional and very comfortable. Will be used for the daily 30 mile commute and getting out of the snow 30 miles from civilization. Doesn't seem too gas hungry for a real 4WD.
My Liberty Tis of thee
I like the comfort and ride I get with my 2005 Jeep Liberty. I enjoy the neat tech console and the premium radio with Sirius satellite. Overall, it is a fun car to drive.
Jeep Liberty Limited Edition
I love my Jeep Liberty Limited Edition. However, it drinks gas faster than I can drink water. If it was not for the high prices of gas and the amount that is used by the Jeep Liberty, this would be the perfect vehicle!
Liberty Lemon
This vehicle has had so much replaced on it that its hard to tell whats original. Both front control arms, all brake components (twice), radio, Hub- locks. This is a vehicle that has been babied since day one and never misses a service appointment. From a reliability stand point, this vehicle is a disaster. All of this before 60K miles....I don't know what we're going to do when the warranty is up.
Great vehicle!
Bought this Liberty in 2008 used and with around 45,000 miles on it. For the last four years, I had absolutely nothing wrong with it other than some recalls and brakes. Had to replace the roaters because of previous owner (boo). Drives just the way I would expect a Jeep to. It's compact and easy and has a lot of get up and go (not a great every day car though - more Jeep than commuter car). Recently have had to replace the transmission cooler lines, front drive shaft and had a leak in the head gasket but considering what I've gotten out of so far, I'm not terribly concerned and I expect to get many more years out of this Jeep. Great buy for me and will keep for a long time!
Stay away from Liberty diesel!
Thank god we leased this vehicle because the lemon law wouldnt cover the numerous different problems this thing has. We only had it 2 weeks before the check engine light came on and the nighmare began. It sat at the dealership for 3 weeks while they waited on a new egr valve. They got it and put it in only to go back 3 more times for 3 glow plugs and eventually a glow plug control module. All this before it had 7500 miles on. Fast forward 9 months later and the turbo explodes and takes out the new egr valve and strands my wife on the side of a busy road. We have Chrysler road side assistance so no problem, right? WRONG! It took them 33 ( yes thirty three) hours to tow it away. STAY AWAY!
2 Yrs and counting
Liberty CRD has been fun to drive for over 2 years. Fuel economy has been very good (last tank over 27 mpg). No problems whatsoever. Can't get it away from wife.
Put Some Fun Into Your Life!
This is our first SUV and we love it. Its fun to drive, handles well and is surprisingly comfortable. The Limited model we have came LOADED with extras and is a beautiful "Patriot Blue" color that has received more compliments than any other car I've owned. So far, we're in the 17+ mpg range, but we weren't expecting much more. Overall we're very happy with it and, oh yes, our Golden Retriever loves it to!
rear pinion bearing
I got this after owning a ford explorer.....wrong thing to do.After only 11,000 miles we had to replace rear pinion bearing.Here we are,only 2.5 months and 4,000 miles later, we have to replace it again.It's not reliable,not comfortable,not roomy enough, no storage room, and the list goes on and on. Worse vehicle I ever owned and I can't wait to be rid of it!
Best vehicle I have ever owned!
My Jeep Liberty 4x4 is the best thing I have ever bought. I love the idea that if I get stuck in traffic and I don't have time to wait I can just cut through the grassy/swampy median. I would say if you are not sure of what kind of vehicle you should go check out the Jeep Liberty. It is also not true about it being a gas hog, it is a V-6 not a 4-cylinder. So don't expect it to get gas mileage like a 4-cylinder. It out preforms any 4-cylinder you could ever drive. I think the Jeep Liberty is top in its Class!
Liberty driven from new to 101000
Front Drive Line problems - Speedometer fluctuates and even stalled the car - idler pulley went out - AC failed 2 times. At 101 cruise control is not working and the drive line is thumping again. Not a great car.......
The Best Car I Have Ever Had
If you want a small SUV with a great ride and plenty of cargo space this is the ticket. I bought one fully loaded and I love it. Get the GPS navigation System you will never have a car without it again.
I used to love Jeep, until.....
I have owned 4 Jeeps and this was my first Liberty. It is only 18 months old with 25,000 miles and I can't tell you how many times it has been in the shop. It had to have the engine taken apart after only a month! It is in the shop now actually for another 7-10 days having the engine taken apart again. Unfortunately I am past the lemon law point and am frustrated because I have always loved my Jeeps, but this is getting ridiculous. I am having all these problems now, what is going to happen as soon as the warranty expires. I don't think I will be able to keep it that long.
The better Liberty ... the CRD
The diesel Liberty (CRD) is about 300 lbs heavier than the 3.7 gas Liberty. There were 8333 Liberty CRD's made in 2005. This was the first time Jeep has offered a diesel Liberty in the USA. However in Europe Liberty CRD's has been in production for approximately 3 years. V M Motori of Italy has made over 500,000 diesel engines for DaimierChrysler beginning in 1993. The Common Rail Diesel is efficient and does not have the smell of diesels from the past. The CRD 2.8L four cylinder develops 160 hp and 295 lb torque at 1800 rpm. This is what many V- 8 engines produce.
Look before you leap.
This was my first American-made auto purchase in many years. Decided to go for an SUV and spent many weeks walking dealer lots, test driving, and reading reviews. Finally went for the Jeep, based on price comparison, features available, and overall ride. Goes without saying that you never know your ride until you've ridden awhile. True in this case. Some nice bells and whistles. But for a guy with long legs, the driver's side compartment seems small. Gas mileage is awful. Can't say much for the power available when you push the pedal. Having said that, I'm still pleased with my purchase. Certainly has the WOW! factor. Great feel for the road.
Jeep Liberty Limited
This is an awesome vehicle on and off the highway. I have nothing but extreme positives for this vehicle except for the gas mileage which could be better; however, all of the other assets make this worth it to me.
CRD - 10 Rest of vehicle - 7
Best fuel economy in a 4WD in the US. Diesel has great power all the way to 11,000 ft. elevations on mountain passes. Best 4WD I've ever owned for winter driving. Diesel performs marvelously off-road. Without serious suspension modification (at least a 2.5"-3.0" lift) and larger tires (245/75R 16 would be ideal), though, it lacks adequate ground clearance for anything but mild off-highway use. A Subaru Forester has much better ground clearance. As noted the factory tires are crap. EGR valve failures are a common problem, though mine have lasted pretty well. Fuel economy ranges from 16 mpg in dead winter starts and stops to 31-32 mpg on highway at speeds 65 mph or less.
Best Jeep Yet!
I have owned 3 Cherokees and 3 Grand Cherokees. This is my first Liberty and I have to say it is the best one yet. It is the most fun to drive, great get up and go, much tighter than the Cherokees were, sits higher and turns sharper too. The 05 refresh is tasteful and the chrome accents give it an upscale look and feel. The leather seats are a huge notch above the Cherokee leather in quality and it has a very German feel to the interior. You can park this thing just about anywhere with a minium of fuss - paint is glossy and consistent, fittings are snug and properly aligned, controls are logical and content is very high for this price- a lot of Jeep for the money and a lot of fun at any price!
Bad front drive shaft
I am now on my 6th front drive shaft. I am also having my front ball joints replaced for the 3rd time. I have had the rear speed sensor replaced 8 times. It is costing so much to maintain. Also the wrap around back doors makes the doors impossible to open in freezing weather. Mud and snow builds up and freezes.
2005 LIBERTY
The 2005 Liberty is very reliable, I have close to 12,500 miles on it, and drive approximately 550 miles a week. It has been very responsive in tight situations, braking is controlled and solid, handling is excellent and it turns nicely (great when towing, very maneuverable). Good visibility, gas mileage is poor when driving in town, but I have averaged close to 22 mpg on the highway with proper tire pressure & regular oil/air filter changes. Seats are a little firm but the extra support helps when your off road, interior panels scratch easily, cargo area needs a mat. Engine power is perfect great for passing & going uphill. Transmission could be smoother, 4x4 is right on the money. A great vehicle!
I love it!
I love my Jeep Liberty! Besides the attractive appearance it is fun to drive. Not only is it quick, but it is powerful. It doesn't choke going uphill. Once you accelerate it just keeps on going, only getting stronger. My first SUV, but I love it!
Weak Automatic Transmission
This 'trail-rated' 4WD minivan is absolutely horrible offroad. Beginning in 2003 Jeep replaced the 45RFE transmission with the 42RLE in a cost-cutting move. The 42RLE was originally designed for front-wheel drive cars and minivans. It is way too little tranny for too much Jeep. It runs way too hot - and heat KILLS automatic transmissions. The 'TRANS TEMP' light comes on predictably under high altitude moderate climbing conditions. Jeep's answer - use low- range at all times while offroad! Ridiculous. If all you want to do is get groceries and go to soccer practice, this is the vehicle for you. If you want offroad performance, steer way clear of any Jeep Liberty 2003 and above.
You've Missed the Point
If you are buying a Liberty just to do your on-road erends, you have missed the point of this vehicle. It is every bit as at home off road as on. There are smoother riding, better handling compact SUV's out there, but, in my opinion, they don't make it off road. The Liberty is a good compromize between off and on road abilities. I have owned two Wranglers before the Liberty, and the Liberty can go just about anywhere I could go with my Wrangler, but it is a loit bettter handling on the highway than the Wrangler and much more comfortable to drive in for long distances.
Fun New Toy
I've been driving a Ford Contour, what a great change! I love this truck. The Limited edition was a great choice.
Add Some Fun
I have never wanted an SUV of any type, but I love my Jeep Liberty. Her name is Libby... ha. The interior design is like that of a luxury car. She looks like Herbie the Love Bug all grown up. It's a fun and reliable vehicle.
Worth the Money!
It seems like a lot of people who write reviews on the Jeep Liberty do nothing but complain- about the ride, about the poor gas mileage. It will never be confused with a BMW or Mercedes SUV, but neither of those vehicles will ever perform the double duty of driving to a concert on Friday night and then hitting the trail on the weekend. That is where the Jeep Liberty excels- being a little bit of everything. Sure, the interior is plastic, the seats are rock hard and the 3.7l six cylinder engine is sluggish and a gas guzzler. But, the Liberty looks stylish enough to be an "adult" vehicle and provides enough performance to get you to any destination your heart desires.
LEMON
17.75 MPG in 2wd. No willing or capable dealer service in Alaska. EGR problems that have to occur 3 times before lemon law kicks in. Lousy expensive tech manual. High beams light the ditch but not the road. Too many computers and idiot lights enforcing a relationship with greedy dishonest dealers. NO help from Jeep Daimler Chrysler Dodge. All brands I won't buy again. As lousy as this thing is under warranty and as lousy as dealer service is I won't be able to afford to own the fixing on this thing post warranty and I'm locked out of tuning it through the computers anyway. This is not transportation.
2005 Jeep Liberty Sport 2WD
I purchased my Liberty in December of 2004. I had no problems, until year 5. In the last year, the transmission has had two repairs, the left rear window broke on vacation(the glass did not go backup), and there has been one recall. My extended warranty is about to expire, and I am left wondering what will break next when I have to pay the full amount of the repair. Also, town mileage is real, real bad, around 15 mpg. I can usually get 22 to 24 mpg on the road if I drive 65 mph. If I were to assign a letter grade to my Jeep, it would receive a D. I will not purchase another Jeep or Chrysler product, ever again.
Great idea w/ so-so execution
Love diesel RWD (when 4WD not engaged) small SUV. Strong towing--beats our 1999 8 cylinder Grand Cherokee. 23-24 mpg on highway. Diesel is real workhorse. But eats ERG valves. Transmission suspect (failed in Grand Cherokee at 80K miles too). Good pep even after mfr-recall transmission detuning. Not the best handling of SUVs, but no blind spots, spirited acceleration even at 70 mph, great ground clearance, great towing capacity, and good hauling capacity. If it holds up, would buy again. I suspect that ERG probs would vanish if I could find 50+ cetane-rated diesel, but valves seem to last longer w/ Shell & Chevron diesel.
Chrysler quality
We purchased our 2005 Liberty as a lease return with 80km. During a trip to the US we started to notice a howl from the rear diff which got worse as we travelled. no oil leaks evident. since we had purchased an extended warrenty to 120k, the dealership replaced pretty much everything in the housing at 92km. At 115 km the dealership mechanic said that the rear diff needed service, meaning of course the oil needed to be changed. no big deal we thought although it seemed odd that the oil was dirty so soon after a rebuild. At 153k the rear end started to howl again. $2000+ later and most components replaced. Normally a rear diff ought to out last the rest of the vehicle or so we thought.Wrong!
not happy with Chrysler product.
Nice looking,decent ride, poor mileage 16.6mpg over 17 months. Very loud engine; not at all happy with this product. First time Chrysler owner will not purchase another ever again. May be good off road?
No more Jeeps for me!
I will NOT purchase another Jeep Liberty - NO WAY. Cruise control is terrible (+/- 5 mph!), seats are extremely uncomfortable, engine is under powered, and gas mileage is 16 - 19 mpg.
regret
Never again. Nothing but trouble. Only 42,000 miles all valves replaced fuel injectors. One recall on something on front end and now the heater blower switch quit working.
Brakes down bi-weekly
Don't buy this vehicle. I'm not kidding. It has extraordinary design defects and is a safety nightmare. It should be recall before someone gets killed. I have owned it for 13 months and to date it has been at the dealership for warranty repairs 19 times. Other consumers have the same problems...they start at approximately 15,000 miles and by the time you are at 25,000 miles you'll be afraid to get behind the wheel. I have limped it into the dealership numerous times.
Thinking of buying a Liberty - Don't!
I bought my car new and liked it at first. Now I'm having many problems with it - mainly brake issues. At 22,000 miles I had to replace the caliper and brake pads. Now, only a year later and only 4,000 miles later the brakes are bad again and they say I need to replace front and back brakes completely. They claim this is because I live on the ocean (which corrodes breaks faster) but I have lived on the ocean all my life and have never had to replace breaks at 26,000 miles on any other car! The seats put my legs to sleep when driving (and others have told me the same), the horribly designed seats stain extremely easily.I've also had no luck w dealer. Do yourself a favor don't buy this car!
Bad tranny
I maintained my Liberty as per manufacturer specs (ALL services were performed), yet at 101,000 miles the transmission went out. It failed to shift back into first gear, and would stick between 2nd - 3rd. This is the automatic transmission. $2850 to get it rebuilt. transmission shop says "Chryslers are known for weak transmissions, especially in their vans". Never had a problem like this with Hondas/Toyotas (I keep them to 200,000 miles). I think this will be my last American car.
Great Jeep
Bought new in 8/05 and have 70,000 miles by 8/09. Simply I have had no problems with this vehicle. The only work has been one recall and regular maintenance. The a/c works great, the transmission shifts tight and smooth and I've been getting 21mpg mixed city and highway. I like the heavy solid feel and great visibility. I have not taken the Liberty off road much but when I have it has performed well. Overall I could not ask for better.
Terrific Vehicle
Bought this 2.4L, 6 speed manual brand new and have driven 103k miles in 4 yrs. I love driving this Jeep! It is a tough little 4WD - not to be confused with AWD. The 4 cyl is not fast but is very strong. 6 speed transmission gives good control of power. Great tight turning radius; I can bang U-eys anywhere! Seats do stain easily, but interior finish and quality is very good. I like having power window controls on the center console. Excellent visibility. Also like having a rear window that flips open. Would like to buy a new Liberty but they are bigger, pricier, automatic only, and 6 cyl only, so I'm sticking with my funmobile.
The perfect car for me
This vehicle is nice to look at and so much fun to drive. It is diffinitely not a bumpy riding car. There is plenty of room for storage.
Love it
Well, I've only had it for a couple of days now, but so far, it's awesome! First day of ownership, it snowed pretty good where I live and it handled great in the snow and ice. It's extremely comfortable with way more room inside then I expected from a Mid- sized SUV. My kids who are teenagers now have plenty of legroom in the back and the rear cargo space holds all that I need. We already own a Jeep Wrangler (1995) which has been more reliable then any vehicle we've ever owned and because of that, we chose the Liberty over the Sorento, Escape and Santa Fe when we test drove all of them. Very happy and I'm sure other potential buyers will be as well. It's fun...you'll love it!!!
BEST CAR EVER OWNED!!!
I bought my jeep in 2009 with only 33,000 miles on it. I haven't had a single problem with it since the day I've gotten it, and I love it so much! I've had cars in the past that were awful, and my jeep is truly dependable and reliable. My family has owned jeeps, and will never own anything but Jeeps! If you are looking for value for your dollar, the Jeep Liberty Sport is worth every penny!
Enjoyable but not comfortable
I bought this jeep because of the looks and the plethora of liberty's on the road. Overall it is a good vehicle. I have the 6spd. tranny and this thing moves! It has to be the fastest suv i have driven. So far i have not had any major problems except the fabric on the seats is not resistant of stains. Even water stains the fabric! Also the seats themselves should provide much more comfort. I am a little disgusted by the common notion that this is a "chick truck". It handles offroad just as well as my previous cherokee and actually is more fun offroad. Some day i'm sure this notion will change just as it did with the "grocery getter" cherokee moniker.
best decision I've made
Well, this is truly fun to drive, with a stiffer but comfortable ride. Interior is well designed. The cloth seats are of excellent quality, appearance, and comfort. This is the first 4WD I have had and it's GREAT. Gets through snow and ice covered roads deliciously. Have about 700 miles on it, and I am getting better than 18mpg; not bad. My wife and I battle over who gets to drive it. (I win most of the time, I'm the boss and she said I could say that. PS: good power with the 3.7l!
Poor on Gas - Great Otherwise
I've been hit and my Liberty comes out smelling and looking like a rose. It handles beautifully on and off-road and in snow. It's great looking too. BUT the gas mileage is a REAL problem.
TOO BAD, SO SAD ...
Bought my Liberty CRD brand new with 222 miles on it. Within one year, had two recalls where I was without vehicle for a week w/ no replacement. Replaced EGR valve and sensor after 2 years, now 1 1/2 years later, have to replace again. Very expensive fix and Chrysler and dealer won't do anything about it. Why buy brand new (or from Chrysler) if their vehicles constantly are in the shop? Regular maintenance, tires, brakes, etc. understandable, but these big ticket items are ridiculous! Never again. (Too bad, though. I was soooo excited to get this vehicle! Always a huge fan of Jeep and Dodge, but this has completely soured my taste for all things Chrysler).
DREAM COME TRUE ,YAHOO!
Although I just recently purchased my Jeep Liberty Sport I can tell you already this is the vehicle I've been waiting for. With all the reviews I've read, nothing compares to getting behind the wheel of this machine and putting it in drive. The amount of power it displays from a standstill for a v6 is comparable to some gas guzzling v8's I've owned and the handling is worthy to say the least . The interior is very comfortable for a large man (6'3" 240) and at the same time compact enough for my 9 year old daughter not to feel stuck in the back. Overall I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a vehicle to get the juices flowing or to get the kids to school.