Jeep Liberty

Name: 2003 Jeep Liberty
Brand: Jeep

EPA MPG: 18 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 18 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 13 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 13 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 13 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 13 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

While the Liberty was a step forward for Jeep, it didn't break new ground for the category. Acceleration is good and braking is sound, but the ride is jittery and fuel economy is poor. Off-roading is the Liberty's strong suit. Stability control and ABS were made standard for 2006.

2003 SUVs Reliability

This Car

100

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Jeep Liberty

vs. Similar Cars

Honda CR-V

Honda Element

Subaru Forester

Toyota RAV4

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Marginal

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Marginal

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Marginal

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

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2003 Compact SUVs Ratings

2003 Jeep Liberty

$3,100 - $3,425

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Ford Escape

$3,000 - $3,250

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda CR-V

$4,475 - $4,800

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Honda Element

$4,025 - $5,100

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mazda Tribute

$3,150 - $3,475

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Mitsubishi Outlander

$3,000 - $3,400

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Nissan Xterra

$3,350 - $4,550

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Pontiac Aztek

$2,800 - $3,075

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Saturn Vue

$2,775 - $3,150

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Subaru Forester

$3,500 - $4,225

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2003 Toyota RAV4

$4,425 - $4,900

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Compact SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

4WD, Rear

2.4-liter 4 (150 hp)
3.7-liter V6 (210 hp)

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

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Model History

2008-2012

2008 Redesign Year

The boxier looking 2008 redesign brought little improvement in driving dynamics. It also remained noisy and cramped. In fact, we ranked this version of the Liberty lower than its predecessor and it is the lowest-rated vehicle in its category for the time. Ride quality is unsettled, handling is clumsy and the noisy engine uses too much fuel. The interior is too small, uncomfortable and fit and finish are poor. On the other hand, the Jeep tows well and offroad terrain is handled masterfully. A full-time four-wheel drive system was an option. The 2012 models were the last for the Liberty.

2002-2007

2002 Redesign Year

Launched in 2002, the somewhat revolutionary looking Jeep Liberty boasted an independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. However ride quality is jittery. Further, the cockpit is narrow and a bit hard to access. Handling was clumsy, but ultimately secure. Off-roading is the Liberty's strong suit. The noisy 3.7-liter V6 is lethargic and thirsty. Stability control and ABS were made standard for 2006. A slow and noisy diesel version was briefly offered, but it returned just 18 mpg overall in our tests and was dropped in 2007.