Model year guide

2012 Jeep Liberty

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Jeep Liberty is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 653 on record.

2012 Jeep Liberty — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Jeep Liberty at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints385
Overall safety3 / 5 ★
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$13,422

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Jeep Liberty recalls 2

Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint NHTSA Campaign #17V640000 · 10/10/2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #13V282000 · 02/07/2013

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15,…

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Jeep Liberty common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 385 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

2012 Jeep Liberty safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Jeep Liberty SUV 4WD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Jeep Liberty MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,500

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Jeep Liberty worth?

Low
$10,500
Typical price
$13,422
High
$17,000

From 649 comparable 2012 Jeep Liberty listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Jeep Liberty costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$8,000
Total$25,500
Per mile$0.34

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($13,422) with the same model 5 model-years older ($5,439), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Jeep Liberty trims & engines on record

Trims
Sport · Limited Jet · Limited · Jet
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl

2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles on record

2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJLAK9CW151871 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK5CW183626 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJLAK5CW208177 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJLAK2CW174750 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJLAK5CW165752 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJLAK9CW137520 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK9CW166912 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJLAK7CW148984 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK4CW143098 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK4CW130674 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK5CW121420 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK6CW150490 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK5CW200277 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAKXCW177109 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK0CW140697 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAKXCW208651 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Limited Jet1C4PJMFKXCW124631 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Limited Jet1C4PJMFK7CW151219 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK8CW111318 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK0CW169424 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK5CW168009 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport1C4PJMAK3CW127507 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Limited Jet1C4PJMFK3CW136054 2012 Jeep Liberty 2012 Jeep Liberty Limited Jet1C4PJMFK4CW131347

Other Jeep Liberty model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

2012 Jeep Liberty — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Jeep Liberty have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Jeep Liberty. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Jeep Liberty?

Based on 385 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, suspension.

What is the 2012 Jeep Liberty safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Jeep Liberty an overall crash-test rating of 3 out of 5 stars (frontal 2★, side 4★, rollover 3★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Jeep Liberty get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Jeep Liberty at about 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway).

How much is a 2012 Jeep Liberty worth?

Comparable 2012 Jeep Liberty listings run roughly $10,500–$17,000, typically around $13,422 (from 649 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.