2012 Jeep Liberty Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 9%of 385 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Jeep Liberty, 9% of the 385 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was hit on my passenger front, while attempting to cross into a parking lot, so hard until my tire rod bent at a 90* angle. My passenger airbag didn't deploy. None of my airbags deployed. There was no blind spot warning. Even after the impact, there was no alarm or notification of the damage, as the firemen were attempting to drive my car out of the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11377617, filed 2020-12, 76,000 miles“On 3 /2/2019 went to back out of my driveway put in reverse didn't move I assumed it was the linkage. So I had towed to transmission shop near my house. Got a call today saying the linkage cabel was routed the wrong way in such away that he cant explain why that would be. I've never had major work done to beside your normal oil changes.”
NHTSA complaint #11315910, filed 2020-03, 130,000 miles“I was driving my vehicle on the street when my check engine light came on and the car started to run rough and then the engine light started flashing. I parked it on a side street and had it towed to mechanic. I was told that the 3 & 5 cylinder was misfiring. Code p0303 & p0305 had to have spark plugs replaced along with boots & wires. My vehicle only has a little over 46,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11171191, filed 2019-01, 46,300 miles“In dec 2018, my vehicle had been parked in my garage for about 3 weeks and when I went to drive it, it did not move once I put it in reverse. I looked underneath and there was transmission fluid on the ground. I had my Jeep towed and my mechanic stated that the transmission pan was rusted out and sent me a picture. Had my transmission pan replaced and my Jeep on had a little over 43,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11171310, filed 2019-01, 43,000 miles“While driving the ESC off came on and the Jeep driving strange . It is jerking when you are coming to a stop. Although you are driving in 2nd it is flashing 4wdl. The ESC off is flashing. It is scary driving when this is happening . Also since I bought this car new in 2012 , I had to pay for the brake light to be change five times already. I think these jeeps have electrical problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10702357, filed 2015-03, 30,781 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228020Apr 2, 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10221150Apr 16, 2021Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10150546Apr 18, 2015RBZ Or RHB Radio Software Enhancements This bulletin involves upgrading the software on the RBZ or RHB Radio. The customer may experience one or more of the following. ? When…
- 10229966Oct 22, 2014MIL Illumination For P0730 And Transmission Shift Enhancements
- 10139799Oct 22, 2014FLASH: MIL Illumination For P0730 And Transmission Shift Enhancements This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Transmission Control Module (TCM) with new…
- 10139594Sep 10, 2014Part Description: RHR Radio Issue Description: Issue 1: While performing RHR radio reflash (software update), on rare occasions, the flash can fail to properly update the radio…
- 10139710Aug 29, 2014Flash: Surge, Shudder Or Pulsation At Highway Speeds This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. A small…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 34 | 9% |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% |
| 2010 | 12 | 6% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 30 | 6% |
| 2007 | 40 | 6% |
| 2006 | 76 | 6% |
| 2005 | 97 | 9% |
| 2004 | 52 | 5% |
| 2003 | 64 | 5% |
| 2002 | 84 | 5% |
| 2000 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2012 Jeep Liberty
169 complaintsElectrical system
117 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsExterior lighting
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsSeats
16 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Jeep Liberty
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology