NHTSA has 385 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Jeep Liberty, received from 2012 to 2026. The most-reported system is air bags (169 complaints, 44%), followed by electrical system (117) and engine (51). Owners reported 19 crashes, 14 fires, 34 injuries and 0 deaths. Median mileage at failure: 50,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2017, with 62 received that year. 2 safety recalls cover this model year.
385NHTSA complaints
2safety recalls
19crashes reported
14fires reported
34injuries
0deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Jeep Liberty?
Owners report air bags problems most often: 169 of 385 NHTSA complaints (44%), followed by electrical system (117) and engine (51).
How many recalls does the 2012 Jeep Liberty have?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Jeep Liberty. The most recent is 17V640000 (seats, 2017-10-10).
At what mileage do 2012 Jeep Liberty problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 50,000 miles, across 314 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2012 Jeep Liberty?
Yes. Owners reported 19 crashes, 14 fires, 34 injuries and 0 deaths in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Air bags
169
44%
15
1
20
45,066
Electrical system
117
30%
2
8
4
56,900
Engine
51
13%
0
7
2
55,449
Power train
34
9%
3
0
5
56,000
Unknown or other
31
8%
1
1
5
75,000
Structure
24
6%
4
1
7
40,000
Exterior lighting
20
5%
0
2
1
50,724
Visibility and wipers
18
5%
0
0
0
42,000
Seats
16
4%
0
0
4
48,000
Service brakes
12
3%
0
1
1
53,100
Fuel system
11
3%
0
0
0
88,000
Electronic stability control
10
3%
0
0
0
74,605
Seat belts
8
2%
1
0
2
51,500
Speed control
8
2%
0
0
0
21,000
Wheels
8
2%
3
0
2
38,450
Steering
6
2%
2
0
0
42,800
Suspension
5
1%
2
0
1
140,000
Tires
2
1%
0
0
0
94,317
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Defect: 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, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 N38.
My daughter was hit by a semi truck on US-23 today. The trailer fishtailed hit the back end of Jeep. I hit the guard rail. All four corners of the Jeep were hit. The air bags did not deploy. The front driver tire fell off. The back window and passenger side trunk window blew out.
Air bags · NHTSA complaint 11703957, received 2025-12-09
The contact's sister owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that upon opening the door of the vehicle, the contact's sister became aware that the driver's side headrest had been deployed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired…
Air bags · NHTSA complaint 11639908, received 2025-01-31
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield wipers inadvertently activated. The contact turned the windshield wipers on and off to deactivate the windshield wipers. Additionally, the headlights inadvertently illuminated…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11752635, received 2026-07-24
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 94,000 and at the time of…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11660979, received 2025-05-14
The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Liberty. The contact stated that while making a right turn on a main road at 25 MPH, the front lower control arms snapped. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over onto the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the residence.…
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11673807, received 2025-07-15
My jeep has been back to dealer for over 23 services from recalls, defective parts, altered parts, engine, transmission, rear end, braking and many more issues to include sharp items pushes thru seats harming people
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11552038, received 2023-10-26
Other Jeep Liberty model years
2000 · 6 complaints
2001 · 10 complaints
2002 · 1,808 complaints
2003 · 1,352 complaints
2004 · 1,101 complaints
2005 · 1,118 complaints
2006 · 1,372 complaints
2007 · 703 complaints
2008 · 541 complaints
2009 · 108 complaints
2010 · 197 complaints
2011 · 181 complaints
Source
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.