2012 Jeep Liberty Sport Review - Trouble In The Mid-Range

My thoughts on the 2012 Jeep Liberty Sport with the 3.7L V6 and 4 speed automatic transmission!
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DISCLAIMER!
The thoughts, feelings, and opinions expressed in this video are the sole thoughts of Zack and no one else. The purpose of this video is to provide entertainment with the hope that you will take what you see and formulate your own opinions. I highly recommend consuming other reviews of this vehicle before making any form of financial decision.
#Jeep #Liberty
Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
1:08 - Engine / Transmission
2:42 - Interior
5:31 - BFB Test
5:45 - Interior
6:21 - Back Seats
7:03 - Trunk / Cargo Space
8:11 - Exterior
8:43 - Final Thoughts
11:56 - Outro

[@briany990]

In a world of flashy opulence, it’s the old-fashioned and mundane that sticks out; that’s why I’ve always liked the 2nd-gen liberties. They were the last of the cheap old-school suv’s: solid rear axle, all steel, bare-bones amenities, basic v6, and only the minimum amount of computers needed.

[@sentiencepsn2714]

Oh, modern Jeeps. Almost bought one of these in 2010. It wasn’t quite the bottom of the barrel - the Compass and Patriot both existed - it was a more road focused alternative to the Wrangler. The two door Wrangler was actually cheaper than a similarly equipped Liberty. The advantage of the Liberty was it’s fully enclosed shell (Wranglers with the hard top had wind noise), a more powerful engine (Wranglers prior to 2012 got the minivan 3.8), better on-road handling, and about the double the tow rating. All of this made it better car for typical car things, while still looking like a modernized XJ Cherokee or baby Commander. It was also easier to find at a dealer lot. Jeep had no idea the four door Wrangler was going to be a hit, and pumped too few of them prior to the 2012 refresh. I ended up getting a four door Wrangler. Test driving them back to back, I actually enjoyed the “worse” handling of the Wrangler - felt like a bare boned old school truck, but with AC.

[@bligo2387]

That has got to be the cleanest liberty out there. I was expecting that engine bay shot to be absolutely clapped but damn it's clean.

[@zyxaa8062]

I just myself purchased a liberty and it also has an engine bay that's very clean. Is it rare to find one with a clean engine bay?

[@MoetChandonHollywoodlifestyles]

I hate when people review base model cars. I have the 2012 liberty jet edition. The jet version gives the full intentions of the car. A comfortable ride with off road capability. This was the truck for people who didn't want the full ruggedness of the wrangler but the capabilities. They should have left this as an entry model and never discontinued it. The compass, patriot, and renegade are undeserving of the jeep badge and doesn't do the brand any justice.

[@AndreBarnett]

I concur. As an owner of a Liberty, the compass and patriot were basically rebadged Dodge Calibers and well the Renegade has already been spoken for and let’s not get started on the “new Cherokee”. This at least had rear wheel drive.

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

We just replaced our 187,000 mile 2008 Jeep Liberty (6-speed manual) with a cleaner 2011 81,800 mile automatic. Both very capable cars on and off road - add a lift kit for real off-road use. We did.

[@jazziez6467]

wait till you see the endless mechanical bills that comes with it

[@TheFlyguy821]

Currently thinking about this for my first car!

[@dave11686]

I really kind of wanted a first generation CRD diesel one. Still kind of do.

[@damilolaakanni]

I like the first gen. It was unique without being very ugly. This second gen has the looks of the much larger Commander...kinda.

[@LolasFamilyRoadTrip]

Nice review!....It's my favorite Jeep model, I have a 2012 liberty sport model ..10 years running very well!

[@joshualowrey449]

Hey how many miles have you put on it? I’m thinking about buying a used one at 114k miles on it

[@LolasFamilyRoadTrip]

@@joshualowrey449 91k miles

[@SinglePotato1]

@@joshualowrey449 mine got 160k mile and its runnin perfect

[@Mike-gy5nd]

@@joshualowrey449 172k runs great

[@FrannyFranx0]

@@joshualowrey449did you buy?? I’m looking at one with 120,000 miles 😬

[@JDMEXforme]

I have an 05 KJ. Got it in 2020 mainly for winter. It now has 249,900km. I heard the 2nd Gen has electrical issues with the transfer case shift solenoid and other issues as well. So I bought the KJ because it has 6 speakers and a manual 4x4 transfer case shifter and less electrical stuff. These 3.7 V6s are pretty durable. They are a cross between a Wrangler and Cherokee. In Europe they are rebadged as a Cherokee. They are fully capable for rock crawling even without a solid front axle. I was out in Toronto Canada's biggest storm back in January 2022. I had no traction or ground clearance issues. I ate that storm up for breakfast. It's a solid suv.

[@Steve-bf2go]

Nice detailed review! Appreciate it, thanks!

[@manarahenrytinashe4169]

I have a 2012 jeep cherokee (outside the US it's called a Cherokee) 3.7 v6 limited with 150000kms on it. I can definitely tell you that thing is super capable and very powerful. The 4wd system is great. The limited version is way too different from the sport which is the base model but those engines are not crappy, they are very reliable, on a scale of 1-10, I rate this a good 8. Thanks for the review.

[@ModelA]

Excellent review, Zack. I ordered a 2006 Liberty built to spec (wanted all the best off-road stuff but none of the foo-foo stuff). I paid dearly for it and ended up almost giving it away because it sucked so bad at almost everything. When the complicated shifter mechanism started disabling the vehicle shortly after the 36,000 mile warranty was up, that was the last straw. I put a floor jack under it and dragged it out of the shop and sold it cheap just to be rid of it.

[@jeepliberty1388]

Damn that sucks mine is a 2012 has 96000 and I haven't had any issues with it on or off road

[@PennStacker]

Thanks for the review. I own a 2012 Liberty but a nicer model. I really enjoy it. The driving position isn’t very comfortable and I only get 16.5 mpg. But it has a pick up truck feel to it. I feel safe inside of it, has plenty of storage. Currently at 145,000 miles. Second owner and it still looks new inside and out. Small rust patch at the bottom of the tail gate on the inside.

[@Joe-ie8vk]

I drive one of these and owned an other 2012 both were little higher tear packaged leather better wheels whatever same thing basically. And I gotta say I never really had much problems with them. The first one I bought not brand new but pretty much very low miles very well taken care of. I had transmission issues with it covered by jeep though so lucked out there . Other then that I drove it for years with no big issues. So far same with this one I’m driving that’s higher miles less then the one in the video though. These things are great. If you know what your getting it’s a basic utilitarian suv solid axle ruff road manners lots of body roll pokey to put it nice. My wife drives an all wheel drive crossover suv and it can not do what the liberty can it can not go through the same snow the liberty can. And that’s the charm of this thing it’s not a wrangler but it’s not a soccer mom suv either. It’s more a jeep then a crossover. It’s a great option for someone who doesn’t want a wrangler or a large expensive 4x4 truck. But wants something that can handle bad weather or the Occasional trail. The box body is great for cargo space with the seats down also. I have driven through some shit with these little things and one storm in Particular we’re I was caught in a bad snow storm with my 6 year old daughter crippled are city and I seen a lot of rav4’s rouges crvs that were just abandoned in the roads the snow was coming down so bad. And I drove along the shoulder of this busy road all the trucks and suvs that could did and it got me home it was working it’s little ass off but again much more a jeep then a crossover. They have a special spot in my heart to this day.

[@richh1576]

1. When did Chrysler/Jeep change to LOW TENSION piston rings in their 3.6L or 3.7L engines? 2. What did Chrysler/Jeep do (and WHEN) to correct their serious thermal stress issue of their valve seats becoming loose, and then 'falling out' from their aluminum 'heads' on their V6 engines?

[@unclemikeb]

That was a great video. You were tough but fair. I never apologize for owning the Liberty, I needed something that could take the place of a car, push through three feet of snow, pull a 5000 pound trailer and carry five people with their luggage in the cargo area. My 2005 Liberty did just that for 18 years and almost 300,000 miles. It is parked now due to some unsettling noise in the engine which can be repaired if I don't send a connecting rod through the block. It's replacement is, what else? A 2012 Liberty. With all the same characteristics. With good General Grabber tires, it really can push through deep snow. They make some noise on the road but man they are good on wet, snow, and even icy roads. It won't win any races when the 5000 pound trailer is connected but it pulls without overheating and can hold the legal speed limit on some fairly steep uphills. Fairly easy to work on, not horribly expensive for parts, as yet. and parts are available.

[@peterchen9763]

I had a 2007. The 3.7L was actually an AMC design for the Grand Cherokee with two cylinders deleted. The Liberty gets a lot of hate because they were used mostly as mall crawlers. However, it does have leaf spring rear suspension and it is much tougher than the new Cherokee which is a sedan beefed up to be a cross over SUV. I drove one while living in Northern New York and never been stuck even in the worst blizzard.

[@bradcomis1066]

Rear suspension is coil sprung actually.

[@Nothinghere534]

What Jeep means by take it off road means going on trails at most vehicle shouldn't not where your little Mazda 3 can go

[@Turk_2023]

I love my liberty, much better than these crappy 4 cyl Patriots and Compass's. Still does not look dated either

[@damilolaakanni]

Is this 3.7 the same one from the Mercedes ML 350 you reviewed sometime ago? If it is, it's really underpowered for any SUV. Also, the Wagoneer might look like a Grand Cherokee L, but they don't share the same platform, so they're not the same.

[@lordwalker71]

I had one for a rental car one time and I returned it and asked for something else the first day I had it because I found the drivers foot well too narrow and the pedals too close together and found myself touching the brake pedal at the same time as the gas pedal, probably wouldn’t be an issue for someone with smaller feet.

[@MetaVizions]

You must got some wide ass feet damn

[@Black-Villain]

My 2016 Wrangler has the same radio, steering wheel, climate control knobs (yes, there's no picture of a Wrangler on them, even on the Wrangler). The Chrysler parts bin is everywhere. I'll be honest, I hate my wrangler, but it makes sense for the one purpose It's designed to do. Same thing to an extent with the Grand Cherokee/ Wagoneer, luxury with capability. Jeeps entry offerings like the compass or the Liberty and stuff have always just been... Kind of a cash grab piggybacking off of their name I feel

[@slandon1977]

I'm curious how the 2012 Liberty transmission compares with the 2002 Liberty that I owned. If I recall it was effectively a 5 speed, perhaps with a split gear somewhere in the middle? It never bothered me. Build quality on mine was quite nice actually. The only reason it died was rust and the fact that I decided to be rather casual about maintenance after 180k miles. (since it was rusting away) Mine was a limited and had the full time 4wd transfer case. The only one "better" was the "Liberty Renegade" model. I wish you would have had a chance to drive it before I said goodbye. Also - it was rust free for many miles. It's only after I had to start storing it outside in the winter and I stopped washing the salt off of it as religiously.

[@OhPhuckYou]

If you had the 3.7 V6 then it's the 45RE. Just a Chrysler 4 speed that was used in much of their RWD line. I believe the Diesels were the KJ with the 545RFE. The 545RFE was a 6 speed but used two overdrives and was considered a 5 speed due to only sequencing through five speeds. I'm rusty on the 545RFE, but I believe that's how it worked.

[@JumpierDust]

Funny enough, I've owned both. The 2002 did have the 45RFE with 3-speed + OD and could be "upgraded" to a 545RFE with a TCM swap from a newer Grand Cherokee at the time, giving you effectively two new speeds. One was only used when downshifting from 3rd at a specific speed and the second, a taller final OD, lowering RPMs on the highway from around 2,000 to 1,600 if I remember correctly. The 45RFE did have a greater towing capacity compared to the 42RLE used in Liberty's from 2003.5 all the way up till the end of production in 2012. The 42RLE was kind of just a throw in transmission since it was originally a front-wheel drive trans for Chrysler passenger vehicles at the time and was converted for rear-wheel drive applications. It's sad to see that a beefier trans was offered for only that year and a half at the start of production.

[@jacobyo99]

My friend had an 05 with 250,000 miles on it

[@garrettraakman6465]

I know someone who owns an early 00's Liberty (not this boxy behemoth, the tiny baby one) and it's given him some trouble in the past. These newer boxy ones are the official cars of "I couldn't afford a Wrangler".

[@everardoalba]

Not everyone wants to buy a wrangler. Doesnt mean they cant afford a wrangler. Majority of wrangler owners lift it and make it look like they go off road, but they dont do shit.

[@aprilsessoms6230]

@@everardoalba I agree with you. My husband offered me the Wrangler but I didn't want it! I took the 2008 Jeep Liberty.

[@jeepliberty1388]

I have a 2012 jet all leather inside with the 20s I love it but I am highly disappointed with the lack of upgrades available the 3.7 isn't. Abad motor but its out dated and a gas hog and wish it had a five speed transmission but other than that I do like it

[@abrhaamsanchez2745]

I've own 2 of these jeeps there is stuff you can do to the engine but the torque converter will not handle much more torque, I know there is a reputable company that makes upgraded ones and there is some other companies that make ported heads and ecu tunes it's just not worth it to invest that much money on this, I feel like it has enough power, I'm constantly going 80 miles on the freeway since the speed limit is hight here in utah/Wyoming and she has no problems with that

[@ScottHintz]

Wrangler's are over priced. The Grand Cherokee is good and deals can be found. I just really like the look of both Libertys especially this one. With just a two inch lift and decent tires it looks great. I just wish they had gave it a little more love in features and either the 3.6 or a good diesel offering. The 3.7 will tow easy but the gas mileage is pathetic.

[@doug6191]

11:23 - This is silliness given how you just praised the Grand Cherokee and XJ, neither of which have a soft top or removable doors.

[@MoetChandonHollywoodlifestyles]

I would like the mazda 3cross a river or go ascend a stoney path.

[@xser4321]

Bro the car has a Religion type music preset.... wtf?? :D

[@doug6191]

8:40 - Dodge never should have gotten a Nitro.

[@bwofficial1776]

This (and the awful Compass and Patriot) was when Jeep realized that people are willing to pay for the name and the look without caring about the off-road cred. This revelation led them to be the crown jewel of Chrysler, absolutely printing money for them. The first gen Liberty was ugly but had some off-road cred, but this was just a Dodge Nitro (now there's a car that's disappeared) with 4x4. Jeep realized that as long as it's square and rugged-looking it'll sell. I like the Renegade though. The size and styling really remind me of my 80s CJ.

[@MoetChandonHollywoodlifestyles]

The jeep liberty kk holds is far higher value than the dodge nitro sibling.

[@scottthompson4193]

You don't know what you're talking about, do more research on the off-road capabilities of this liberty. It gets fantastic off road reviews.

[@kwasia4882]

Was expecting a crappier suv, obviously the suv is garbage, but better than I expected. Good review.

[@bulbman7080]

Looks like a #Jeep #Cherokee on roids!

[@Memesfromthestreets]

I’ve always hated this Jeep. Incredibly outdated(like many many Jeeps) and has no niche.

[@OhPhuckYou]

Still better than the Cumpus and Pissrat. Crapsler really pumped out some garbage. The Crapsler Shitspring of the same era is one of the worse cars I've been around.

[@bulbman7080]

Compass, Patriot and Renegade tampons embarrassments!

[@tobysemler]

One of the worst, most pointless and useless reviews I've seen or read. What could a potential buyer know by looking at a KK being sold by a dealer or private seller? Everything in your video. What does a potential buyer of a 12yo Jeep want and need to know, to understand whether it is a sound 2nd hand purchase? Nothing that you have discussed.